Why are there no NHL video games this weekend? League taking three-day hiatus for holidays

The vacations have by no means stopped the sporting world. The NBA has dominated Christmas Day in years previous. The NFL goes to present the league a run for its cash with video games on each Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Even within the hockey world, the World Juniors have change into synonymous with the vacations, as their begin date is both on Christmas Day or Boxing Day. 

That is not the case within the NHL. Friday, Dec. 23 was the final day of the video games being performed earlier than the vacations, because the league is about to have its three-day break beginning at the moment, Saturday, Dec. 24. 

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Whereas the opposite leagues are persevering with on with their seasons, NHLers get to sit down again and benefit from the holidays with their associates and households. 

Why are there no NHL video games this weekend?

Hockey was once a staple on Christmas Day. From the Twenties to 1971, the NHL at all times had video games on the vacation. Actually, through the Sixties, each crew performed on Christmas Day. 

Nevertheless, in 1972, the league determined to not schedule video games on Christmas. One 12 months later, the NHL removed contests on Christmas Eve as nicely. The sport to be performed on Christmas was a match between the Los Angeles Kings and California Golden Seals on Dec. 25, 1971. 

These days, the NHL has a league-wide hiatus on each days. Relying on the timing of the schedule, groups both get the twenty third or twenty sixth off as nicely. This 12 months, it’s the twenty sixth. 

Final 12 months, the league had an prolonged vacation break resulting from a COVID-19 breakout across the league. The NHL canceled a choose few video games on Dec. 21 and didn’t have video games from Dec. 22-26, with matchups selecting up on Dec. 27.

When does the NHL resume play?

The NHL shall be off Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The league will decide up play as soon as once more on Tuesday, Dec. 27. 

There shall be 24 groups in motion on the twenty seventh, with 12 video games on Tuesday’s schedule.