After an initial announcement that both teams would skip their morning skates, but still play tonight, things changed rather quickly in Colorado. The Kings-Avalanche games scheduled for Friday and Sunday have now been postponed.
No LA Kings pregame skate today:
"Out of an abundance of caution, the Kings have cancelled their pre-game skate today due to the Colorado Avalanche COVID-19 protocols… there will be no media availability today and we are preparing to play the game tonight."
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) April 16, 2021
Even after the morning skate decision came down, it didn’t appear to be a cause for major concern, as the Avs have made similar declarations over the past week or so and continued to play games.
FWIW – The tweet quoted below is from earlier today. The Avs also issued similar statements on 4/9 and 4/14 (included with this tweet) and they've continued to play. Thus, the game tonight vs LA Kings does not appear to be in jeopardy, at this time. https://t.co/GGPUKWSKSD pic.twitter.com/XXwtNVKlGW
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) April 16, 2021
However, with additional positive tests discovered, they made the right call.
The @NHL announces @Avalanche games tonight vs. the @LAKings through April 20 are postponed. https://t.co/oAD6AAwDhD pic.twitter.com/60XsjZIfoT
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 16, 2021
In a release from the league, it was stated – “As a result of a third Colorado Avalanche Player entering the NHL’s COVID Protocols earlier today, the team’s games tonight and Sunday vs. Los Angeles as well as April 20 against St. Louis will be postponed. Pending test results in the coming days, it is expected that the Avalanche will be able to re-open their facilities for practice on Wednesday, April 21, with a return to game action on April 22 vs. St. Louis. The decision was made by the League’s, NHLPA’s and Club’s medical groups.”
LA players and staff will now return home, with tomorrow allocated as a day off. The team will practice on Sunday and Monday at 11am at TSPC.
The Kings next scheduled game is Tuesday, April 20 at home vs. the Anaheim Ducks. It will be the first game with fans back inside Staples Center this season. LAK and AEG Sports COO Kelly Cheeseman stopped by Kings Of The Podcast yesterday to talk specifically about that event, as well as some additional Reverse Retro jersey news and the move to Bally’s Sports West (show is linked below for your reference).
RELATED CONTENT:
Kings Of The Podcast: S2, E29 with AEG Sports COO Kelly Cheeseman
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I think you an Dennis have very entertaining podcast. I did not think the Kings would not make the playoffs this year, but I did not expect them to finish next to last or last this year either. I think a good topic for an upcoming podcast would be, is anybody going to be held responsible for this years disappointing finish. Also, it’s obvious to me, that this team is not good at scoring goals 5 on 5. Not enough finishers on the top three lines. Lastly, Quick’s contract has to be moved in the off-season to allow Petersen top play 50-55 games next year. Quick would not be happy playing 25-30 games.
Keep up the good work.