12:34 PM
The NHL has shut down two more teams through the Christmas break as the COVID-19 cases have continued to rise around the league.
The Montreal Canadiens and Columbus Blue Jackets had their team activities paused on Monday. The NHL has closed down eight teams in the last week, including the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Boston Bruins.
Columbus was shut down after several of its players tested positive for COVID on Sunday and three more were added to the list on Monday. The NHL canceled the Blue Jackets games against Buffalo on Monday and Thursday due to concern over the number of positive cases in the last few days.
Columbus canceled its morning skate Monday while waiting for test results. The Blue Jackets canceled their Sunday practice after three positive tests. If the league clears the team to practice Sunday, Columbus will face Toronto next Monday. The game could be in jeopardy since games involving teams that have to travel across the U.S.-Canada border were postponed this week.
That's where Montreal's shutdown happens. The games against the New York Islanders, New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils were all postponed due to the players being stuck on the wrong side of the border.
The NHL and NHL Players' Association said in a joint press release Sunday that the plan was to avoid a full shutdown of the league and just pause teams on a case-by-case basis. The games will resume on December 27 after the Christmas break.
The parties said on Sunday that they will continue to play the regular season schedule in the year 22. There has been a recent increase in positive COVID test results among players, coaches and hockey staff, but there have been a low number of positive cases that have resulted in serious illness.
