The Montreal Canadiens had three more games postponed, through Sunday, March 28, due to NHL COVID-19 protocol.
The Canadiens were scheduled to play the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday and Friday. The teams had their game postponed Monday after Montreal forwards Joel Armia and Jesperi Kotkaniemi were placed in protocol.
Montreal also will not play the Ottawa Senators on Sunday. Pending test results, it is expected the Canadiens will be able to reopen their facilities Monday. They are next scheduled to play at the Senators on Tuesday.
No makeup dates have been announced.
The Oilers, who have no players in protocol, practiced Wednesday in Montreal. They are next scheduled to play the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, CBC, SN, CITY, TVAS, NHL.TV).
“We did a few drills and had a couple of periods of scrimmage so they got to play today,” Oilers coach Dave Tippett said. “They played a little 3-on-3 so that part of it, they like to play. It’s a little bit different but we do have some practice time.
“There are some things we’d like to work on but we also have to be cognizant that you’ve got to keep them fresh-minded and so we got out there and played a little bit. They had some fun playing against each other and [goalie] Mike Smith gave up two bad goals and pulled himself already so it was a good day.”
The game Monday was the first in the Scotia North Division to be postponed this season. The division is made up of the seven teams based in Canada.
“This is just a little adversity we have to get over.” Oilers forward Tyler Ennis said. “It seems like a lot of teams have faced this kind of challenge throughout the year. This is the first one we’ve had to deal with. We’re doing good. We’ve had some good practices. A little team bonding. A little rest never hurt anybody. Just got to stay focused, stay hungry, stay sharp, good practice today and move on. Tomorrow another good practice and we keep moving forward.
“It’s just a weird year. It’s tough. You don’t expect or anticipate it can happen but with this COVID thing it can happen. You kind of prepare for it a little bit. We had a good practice today, did some video, stay as sharp as we can, rest up the guys who are a little banged up and you move forward.”
There have been 46 games postponed since the NHL season began Jan. 13, including 41 because of protocol. Five games have been postponed because of weather-related issues.
NHL.com staff writer Tim Campbell contributed to this report