NHL News: No new cases of COVID-19 heading into Phase 4
Encouraging news from the NHL today
The NHL concluded Phase 3 of its Return to Play plan on Saturday with no new positive results for COVID-19 among the 800+ players participating in formal training camps. This is promising news as teams enter their respective bubbles in Toronto and Edmonton. It is also the first time the NHL has announced no new positive test results since testing results have been shared with the public.
NHL statement on COVID-19 testing results: pic.twitter.com/5dObzonFWA
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) July 27, 2020
Today’s news stands in stark contrast to recent developments in the MLB. The Miami Marlins have around 14 players and coaches who have tested positive for COVID-19, which has resulted in games being cancelled and could jeopardize the entire season. In the NBA, Los Angeles Clippers guard Lou Williams left the NBA’s bubble to visit a gentleman’s club and is now under a 10-day quarantine.
The first three NHL exhibition games take place tomorrow in Edmonton and Toronto, the first of which is between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers. That game begins at 4:30 p.m. and will be televised on NBCSN. The New York Rangers play the New York Islanders on July 29 at 8:00 p.m. for their exhibition game before the play-in series against the Carolina Hurricanes kicks off on Saturday, Aug. 1.
