The NHL will pause its season beginning Wednesday amid a surge in positive COVID-19 cases, according to ESPN’s Emily Kaplan.
The 2021–22 season will remain paused through Christmas. Players are set to return to their respective team facilities on Dec. 26, one day before the schedule is set to resume.
COVID-19 absences led to a stream of postponements in recent days. 11 teams suspended operations entering Monday, and all cross-border matchups across the United States and Canada have been postponed. There have been 44 games postponed this season, and more than 15% of the league is in the COVID-19 protocol.