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Bruins to Play First Game Under NHL’s New COVID-19 Measures

Scott Roche|
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 12: A view outside of TD Garden, the venue that hosts the Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics on March 12, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. It has been announced that NBA and NHL seasons have been suspended due to COVID-19 with hopes of returning later in the spring. The NBA, NHL, NCAA and MLB have all announced cancellations or postponements of events because of the virus. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 12: A view outside of TD Garden, the venue that hosts the Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics on March 12, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. It has been announced that NBA and NHL seasons have been suspended due to COVID-19 with hopes of returning later in the spring. The NBA, NHL, NCAA and MLB have all announced cancellations or postponements of events because of the virus. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

When the Boston Bruins take the ice tonight at the Wells Fargo Center to play the Philadelphia Flyers, they will do so with the NHL’s new COVID-19 rules in effect.

The New Jersey Devils lead a list of teams that are having their season paused because of coronavirus outbreaks as they have 17 players currently on the NHL protocol list. The Buffalo Sabres, Minnesota Wild, and Colorado Avalanche also are having their season paused because players going onto the protocol list.

Bruins getting the first taste of new protocols measures being taken by the National Hockey League.

Here is a list of the new protocols that went into effect for last night’s games and will be in effect to what the league hopes will get the COVID situation under control so no more teams have issues.

  • Behind the team’s benches, the glass shields will be removed to open up more airflow where the coaches and players gathered for three periods.
  • The league also put into place that players will not be permitted into the arena the day of a game until 1 hour and 45 minutes before the start of the game. There is an exception to this rule. If a player is seeking medical treatment, they can come in earlier. The league is also asking players to leave the arenas as soon as possible after games to limit the possible transmission of the virus.
  • The league is asking teams to take steps into moving each player’s lockers six feet apart and limit the number of personnel in the locker room at one time. If necessary, teams can add locker room space in each arena for the road and home teams.
  • Finally, the league is asking to consider putting portable air cleaners behind each team’s bench to improve air quality and mitigate virus transmission. Again, this is just a suggestion as of now for each team.

The NHL is trying to proactive in stopping the transmission of the virus. The league did a great job over the summer of successfully pulling off a playoff bubble, but nobody wants that again.

Following tonight’s game with the Flyers, the Bruins will have four days off after their two-game series with the Sabres at home was canceled earlier this week. They are scheduled to return to the ice next Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden against the New York Rangers.

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