NHL releases new playoffs’ schedule following boycott!

On Thursday, it was announced that NHL would undergo a two-day work stoppage in protest against police brutality and racial injustice. The NHL’s protest is of course in reaction to the NBA’s decision to postpone/cancel games on Wednesday after the Milwaukee Bucks refused to take the court in a show of protest against the issues of police brutality and racial inequality in the wake of Jacob Blake’s shooting in Kenosha, WI.

Therefore, all eight teams competing for the Stanley Cup has been able to stand and protest, each postponing a contest from their schedule. The New York Islanders and Philadelphia Flyers were scheduled to play in Toronto on Thursday, while Vancouver and Vegas were set to compete in Edmonton. Tampa Bay Lightning versus the Boston Bruins won’t be playing Friday in Toronto, while the matchup between the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars in Edmonton has also been scratched.

Play is set resume Saturday inside the NHL bubbles in both cities and the league has just releases the new schedule for the remainder of the postseason following the boycott: 

The NHL and NHLPA said Thursday both understand “much work remains to be done before we can play an appropriate role in a discussion centred on diversity, inclusion and social justice.” 

The league was however late to the party and has been heavily criticized for it. NBA players were first to refuse to participate in three playoff games in the aftermath of the police shooting of Blake. Six teams in Major League Baseball followed suit, as did every player in the WNBA, and 10 separate clubs in Major League Soccer.

However, the NHL played its three games scheduled for Wednesday: a 3 p.m. ET game between the Islanders and Flyers; an 8 p.m. ET game between the Lightning and Bruins; and a 10:30 p.m. ET game between the Avalanche and Stars, which bothered many people. 

Do you believe is better late than never?