NHL, Kings announce schedule changes, games to air on Bally Sports West + Protocol update & Danault fined

The NHL and the LA Kings announced three schedule changes earlier today.

The Kings had three games cancelled in late-December, one at home against Edmonton and two on the road against Arizona and Vegas. All three games have been rescheduled during the scheduled break in February, originally held for the Olympics. The following adjustments have been made for the Kings –

2/15 – Kings vs. Oilers – 7:30 PM – Los Angeles, CA
2/18 – Kings @ Golden Knights – 7:00 PM – Las Vegas, NV
2/19 – Kings @ Coyotes – 7:00 PM – Glendale, AZ

As of this time, this brings the Kings back to a full 82 games on the schedule. The Kings were one of the least affected teams by game cancellations, with just the three noted. In fact, no team in the NHL has fewer changes made to their schedule than the Kings. The Ottawa Senators had 15……..FIFTEEN schedule changes announced today. Insane.

The Kings announced when the Edmonton game was originally cancelled that tickets for the postponed game remain valid for the rescheduled game, which will now take place at Crypto.com Arena on February 15. The game was originally scheduled for December 21 but was cancelled due to cross-border precautions taken with Edmonton. The away games, originally scheduled for December 27 and December 28, were cancelled by the NHL as a result of a leaguewide extension of the holiday break.

All three games will be broadcast live on Bally Sports West, as a part of the season-long coverage provided on BSW.

Protocol Update
The NHL and NHLPA announced yesterday a revision to the league’s testing protocols –

Five-Day Isolation Period: The isolation period Protocol update issued Dec. 29 appears to be functioning well in its current form. A significant portion of Players appear to be exiting isolation after five days, with a lab-based PCR test that has a CT value >30.

Testing Protocol: The plan is to continue the current testing Protocol through Feb. 3. Provided positive test results continue to decline within the NHL, and pending review and agreement by Jan. 31 by the NHL’s and NHLPA’s medical experts, the Protocol will be updated as follows:

i. There will be no testing of Fully Vaccinated Players and Staff during the All-Star break (including for participating Players and staff), unless needed for travel or development of symptoms.

ii. There will be a single test upon re-entry to Club facilities post-All-Star, after which there will no longer be asymptomatic testing, or testing of Fully Vaccinated close contacts.

iii. Thereafter, testing will continue only on a limited “for cause” basis in Fully Vaccinated Players and Staff who develop symptoms or require testing for cross-border travel.

iv. The post-COVID “testing holiday” will remain at 90 days, but symptom-based testing can still be done at the team physician’s discretion. Testing for cross-border travel post-COVID will be dictated by the relevant health authority, which is currently 90 days for entry to the U.S. and 180 days for entry to Canada.

Enhanced Measures: The current enhanced preventive measures will remain in place in the short term. The NHLPA and NHL will meet on Jan. 31 to make recommendations for relaxation of the enhanced measures, providing rates continue to decline within the NHL.

Danault Fined
Additionally, the NHL announced earlier today that Kings forward Phillip Danault has been fined for a “dangerous trip” during last night’s game against Tampa Bay.

“Los Angeles Kings forward Phillip Danault has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for a dangerous trip against Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brayden Point during NHL Game No. 700 in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Jan. 18, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced today.”

An Angeles Analysis to follow, Insiders, taking a look at the pair of losses over the last 48 hours. A bit of adversity for a team that has played pretty consistently and pretty well over the last month and a half. We’ll take a look at why that changed, and what could change it back.