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