The New Jersey Devils has postponed its next three games this week, as 10 players are currently on the NHL’s list of COVID-19 protocol absences.
The Devils’ February 2 and 4 games at the Pittsburgh Penguins were postponed, as was the February 6 home game against the New York Rangers. This brings the total number of games postponed in the 2020-21 NHL season to 14 since it started on January 13.
The Devils have traveled to Pittsburgh and will remain there for an indefinite period of time this week.
The NHL announced that four additional players were added to Devils’ COVID-19 list on Monday. The list currently includes goalkeeper Mackenzie Blackwood, who has not played since January 19; as well as strikers Andreas Johnsson, Janne Kuokkanen, Michael McLeod, Kyle Palmieri, Pavel Zacha and Travis Zajac.
Also listed are goalkeeper Aaron Dell, defender Sami Vatanen (travel quarantine) and defender Connor Carrick, who left the team to stay with his wife, Lexi, at the birth of their first child.
Johnsson, Kuokkanen, McLeod and Zacha played in the Devils’ victory at the Buffalo Sabers on Sunday. The Sabers had no players listed in the protocol on Monday.
According to NHL rules, the Devils’ training center was closed until further notice. The next game scheduled for February 9 at home against the Penguins. Postponed games will be rescheduled.