The Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres somehow managed to get Thursday’s game in after Sean Kuraly entered COVID-19 protocol. A member of Buffalo’s coaching staff also tested positive earlier in the day.
Neither team will touch the ice at KeyBank Center come Saturday.
With four additional Bruins players testing positive for coronavirus, the NHL announced the postponement of Saturday’s tilt with the Sabres as well as Tuesday’s scheduled contest with the East-division leading New York Islanders at TD Garden.
Under the CBA, the Bruins could re-open their facilities this coming Wednesday pending test results in the days beforehand. They have another scheduled meeting with the Islanders at Causeway St. on Thursday.
The Bruins planned on allowing a limited number of spectators for the first time this season on Tuesday. But Friday’s positive test results from the four additional unknown Bruins may put their attendance plans on hold for the time being.
The league usually unveils their updated daily COVID protocol list between the late afternoon and early evening. We’ll refresh this post later Friday with the updated names and any other developments. Be sure to follow us on Twitter as well @BruinsDaily for more information.
Update 5:30 p.m.
Jake DeBrusk, David Krejci, David Pastrnak and Craig Smith joined Kuraly on the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list on Friday. No Sabres players found themselves on the list.
DeBrusk appeared on the list earlier exactly one week ago after a false positive test. He returned to the team after missing last Saturday’s game against the Rangers — a 4-0 Bruins loss.
Krejci joined the list a day after joining the 700-point club. Smith — snapping a 10-game goal drought — and Pastrnak both found the back of the net in Boston’s 4-1 win over lowly Buffalo.
This marks the first time that multiple Bruins entered the COVID-19 protocol list. Karson Kuhlman was the first player to join the list at the beginning of the season. Charlie Coyle found himself in COVID-19 protocol prior to the first of two meetings with the Capitals at TD Garden on March 3. He rejoined the team two nights later.
The Bruins endured their busiest slate to date. Thursday marked their ninth game in 16 days. Right now, they’re scheduled for a seven-game homestand beginning on March 25 against the Islanders. We’ll know more about the status of that game — and beyond — sometime early next week most likely.
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