NHL to pause season Dec. 22 through Dec. 25 amid COVID-19 case surge

Teams will report back to their facilities on Dec. 26
 Tomas Hertl #48 of the San Jose Sharks is congratulated by teammates after he scored in the first period against the Calgary Flames at SAP Center on December 07, 2021 in San Jose, California.
Tomas Hertl #48 of the San Jose Sharks is congratulated by teammates after he scored in the first period against the Calgary Flames at SAP Center on December 07, 2021 in San Jose, California. Photo credit Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

With so many games being postponed due to COVID-19 outbreaks, the NHL on Monday decided to pause the season and start the Christmas break two days earlier than planned.

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All NHL team facilities will be closed from Wednesday, Dec. 22 through Saturday, Dec. 25. Teams will be back for testing and practices after 2 p.m. EST on Sunday, Dec. 26, a day earlier than originally planned.

The San Jose Sharks had already postponed their games on Dec. 21 and Dec 23 due an earlier mandate from the league which postponed any games from Dec. 20 and Dec. 23 involving a matchup between a team from Canada and the U.S.

Games will resume on Monday, Dec. 27, when the Sharks play at the Anaheim Ducks.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Minus Panagiotakis - Getty Images