Dec 29, 2019; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (35) and center Elias Pettersson (40) celebrate win with against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
When the Vancouver Canucks start playing hockey again, it’ll mark 23 days between games. The NHL has set the Canucks return for April 16th, just five days from now and eight days after the last team member (Nate Schmidt) was added to the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list.
Nearly four weeks away from the ice recuperating from a fast-spreading COVID-19 outbreak that decimated 25 members of the organization (21 players and four members of the coaching staff), and the National Hockey League has the Canucks playing 19 games in 31 nights, starting with five games within the first week.