NHL postpones 3 Flames games because of covid-19 outbreak

NEW YORK — The NHL postponed the Calgary Flames’ next three games after six players and a staff member entered the league’s covid-19 protocol over a 24-hour period.

The Flames announced Monday that forwards Elias Lindholm, Andrew Mangiapane, Brad Richardson and Adam Ruzicka and defensemen Chris Tanev and Nikita Zadorov were in the protocol.

Postponed games include Monday night’s game at Chicago, Tuesday’s game at Nashville and Thursday’s home game against Toronto.

Later Monday, the Carolina Hurricanes announced star center Sebastian Aho, rookie center Seth Jarvis and a member of the training staff entered the covid-19 protocol.

The team said all three would remain in Vancouver. The Hurricanes lost there 2-1 on Sunday, with Aho missing the game with what the team originally said was an illness. Carolina played at Calgary on Thursday, winning 2-1 in overtime.

The league said in a news release the Flames games were postponed because of concern with continued spread and the likelihood of additional positive cases. The Flames’ training facilities also were closed.

Calgary is the third NHL team this season to have games postponed because of a covid-19 outbreak. Last month, the Ottawa Senators had three games postponed and the New York Islanders had two postponed.