The Vegas Golden Knights Max Pacioretty scored his third goal against the St Louis Blues in the third period on Tue Jan 26, 2021 in Las Vegas. The Knights were without their head coach and assistant coaches due to Covid 19 protocols during this game (AP News photo)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks were scheduled to play their first (home away from) home games at Gila Arena in Glendale, Arizona next week. The games have been postponed because their opponent, the Vegas Golden Knights, are unable to play due to the NHL’s COVID-19 protocols. Four members of the team, including a player and three coaches, are in isolation.

Last Tuesday, the Golden Knights played the St. Louis Blues without their regular coaching staff behind the bench, as they were already in isolation. Instead, the team was coached by General Manager Kelly McCrimmon. The assistant coaching staff was replaced by their AHL affiliate’s coaches: Manny Viveiros, Joel Ward and Jamie Heward. Two days later, the team’s games started being rescheduled.

Since the season started, nine NHL games have been rescheduled due to the COVID-19 protocols. The Dallas Stars and the Carolina Hurricanes preceded the Golden Knights in the schedule shuffling.

At this time, the Sharks-Golden Knights games are expected to take place in the SAP Center in San Jose, some time after the Sharks’ scheduled return on February 13. The next Sharks game on the schedule is on February 5 against the Ducks in Anaheim at 7:00 PM PT.