Hey, it could be worse for the Islanders. At least when their long playoff break is over, they will have a chance to compete for the Stanley Cup without being stopped by a flu epidemic. Presumably.
That was what befell the 1918-19 Montreal Canadiens, who after winning the NHL final had to wait a playoff-record 13 days, from March 6-19, before starting the Cup Final against the PCHA champion Seattle Metropolitans.
Complications ensued. An outbreak of influenza in Seattle led officials to stop the series after five games with the teams tied at 2-2-1. (Seattle won Game 1, 7-0, over the rusty Habs!