Why Bruins Hope COVID-19 Protocols List Stops Here

On Friday, the Boston Bruins added four more players to the NHL’s COVID-19 protocols to make it a total of five players since Thursday.

Leading goal-scorer David Pastrnak, second-line center David Krejci, and wings Craig Smith and Jake DeBrusk joined fourth-line forward Sean Kuraly on the protocols list Friday. In an abundance of caution, the NHL has postponed the next two Bruins games, this afternoon in Buffalo against the Sabres and Tuesday night’s game, scheduled at the TD Garden against the New York Islanders.

Tuesday’s game was supposed to be the first game in Boston that was going to have around  2,100 fans in attendance in accordance with the state’s 12-percent capacity in the new reopening phase in Massachusetts.

While the fans will have to wait to go through the turnstiles at the Garden, the Bruins are hoping to avoid what the Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils, and the Sabres have had to endure earlier this season, a lengthy shutdown from COVID-19.

Bruins hope to resume activities Wednesday.

Earlier this season, the Devils played a weekend series in Buffalo. Following that two-game set, the Devils’ Kyle Palmieri was placed on the league’s COVID-19 protocols list, which started a chain reaction that turned into a two-week shutdown for both teams. Earlier this season, the Stars faced a familiar situation at the beginning of the season.

The 2021 NHL season is one like anyone has had to endure. New divisions, limited travel, and dealing with the coronavirus. Teams are trying to get through the season without losing any games off of their schedule, which could complicate determining who makes and misses the Stanley Cup playoffs if some teams can’t complete their 56-game schedule.

In the best-case scenario, the Bruins don’t have to place any more players on the protocols list and can resume team activities on Wednesday. In that case, the schedule would pick up Thursday night against the Islanders in front of fans at the Garden.

If that scenario comes true, then the Black and Gold will have 45 days to play their remaining 28 games. The worst-case scenario? A longer shutdown and then wait to see how the league handles things.

The health and safety of all individuals is a top priority right now. The Bruins hope that the situation stops here and that there are no more players forced into the league’s protocols. If there was a season with short and limited travel, 2021 is the year.