UPDATE: The National Hockey League announced late Monday afternoon that, as a result of two Montreal Canadiens players entering the NHL’s COVID-19 protocols earlier in the day, the team’s game against the Edmonton Oilers will be postponed.
It’s the first contest in the all-Canadian North Division to be shut down due to COVID-19 concerns.
The league announced the postponement shortly before the scheduled 7 p.m. ET opening faceoff after Montreal forwards Joel Armia and Jesperi Kotkaniemi were placed on the league’s COVID protocol list.
The Oilers were looking to move into sole possession of first place in the North Division. They are tied with the Toronto Maple Leafs, who were idle Monday, with 42 points.
Edmonton and Montreal are next scheduled to play Wednesday at the Bell Centre.
The decision was made by the league’s, NHLPA’s and club’s medical groups. The league will provide a further update Tuesday.
Previous story below:
The Edmonton Oilers go after their fourth straight win Monday night when they visit the Montreal Canadiens.
Captain Connor McDavid is riding a nine-game point streak. He’s put up 20 points in that span. Head coach Dave Tippett is quick to point out McDavid is also excelling in his own end.
“He checks well in his own end, that gives him opportunities to go the other way. His defensive game has been outstanding all year,” said Tippett. “His whole all-round game has been really, really strong since the start of the year.”
McDavid leads the NHL with 60 points and could flirt with 100 points in this shortened, 56-game campaign. His current pace is 98 points.
“You ask Connor, the only number he’s worried about is the number of wins we get right now. That’s the greatest thing about him,” added Tippett.
The Oilers expected lineup is:
Draisaitl – McDavid – Puljujarvi
Kahun – Nugent-Hopkins – Archibald
Ennis – Haas – Kassian
Shore – Khaira – Chiasson
Nurse – Barrie
Lagesson – Larsson
K. Russell – Bear
Smith
Winger Kailer Yamamoto remains day-to-day. He’ll miss his third straight game.
Monday morning, the Oilers signed defenceman Michael Kesselring to a three-year entry level contract.
Kesselring, 21, recently wrapped up his season with Northeastern University. He was drafted 164th overall by the Oilers in 2018. He’ll join the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors for the rest of this season.
The Oilers and Canadiens are on 630 CHED with the Faceoff Show at 3:30 p.m. The game starts at 5 p.m.
— With files from Karen Bartko, Global News, and The Canadian Press