The Bruins' first trip to Montreal in over two years will have to wait. The NHL announced Friday morning that Saturday night's game against the Canadiens has been postponed.
There was no immediate decision regarding Sunday's game in Ottawa, but it would not be at all surprising if that were postponed as well. A makeup date for Saturday's game has not yet been announced.
The Bruins, who lost to the Islanders 3-1 Thursday night, were originally planning to practice in New York on Friday before traveling to Canada. They have now canceled that practice and will instead be traveling back to Boston on Friday.
The Bruins have seven players and two staff members currently in COVID-19 protocol as of Friday morning. It remains to be seen if more will be added.
Brad Marchand and Craig Smith were placed in protocol on Tuesday. Patrice Bergeron followed on Wednesday. On Thursday, Jeremy Swayman, Trent Frederic, Anton Blidh and Oskar Steen were all added, along with two team staff members.
The Bruins were forced to play a player short of a full roster Thursday, as they did have enough salary cap space to call up another player. They were facing the possibility of players being stranded in Canada through Christmas if they tested positive there.
Meanwhile, the Canadiens played in an empty building in Montreal on Thursday at the request of the Quebec government as cases continue to rise there, and everywhere else.
