NHL, NHLPA agree to pause season through Christmas, effective Wednesday

The National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players’ Association have reached an agreement to pause the season through Dec. 25, effective Wednesday.

Two games slated for Tuesday are still set to go on as scheduled.

The league and NHL Players’ Association on Sunday said in a joint statement they were attempting to avoid a leaguewide shutdown and were making decisions on a team-by-team basis. The latest shift gives all 32 teams an extended break before players, coaches and staff can gather again Sunday to skate and undergo coronavirus testing.

Under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, the Christmas break typically prohibits team activities