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No Detroit Red Wings Game Tomorrow vs. Islanders

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Jeff Blashill, Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill was told before today's practice that his team's Thursday game against the New York Islanders was postponed.

The NHL announced  tomorrow’s Detroit Red Wings at New York Islanders game was one of nine game cancellations. The league’s COVID-19 postponement total hit 80 games.

The Red Wings have several players on the COVID-19 list, including forward Lucas Raymond and defenseman Nick Leddy.

Detroit coach Jeff Blashill wasn’t sure exactly why the game was cancelled.

“(Detroit GM) steve Yzerman called me and alerted me to it just before going on the ice,” Blashill said. “I know the Islanders have another. I believe Brock Nelson went into protocol. I’m not sure of all of the factors that went into it. That’d be a question for the league. Good luck with that one.”

Detroit goalie Alex Nedeljkovic just came off the COVID-19 list. He wasn’t surprised by the postponement.

“Obviously, it’s very different, but it’s the world we live in now,”  Nedeljkovic said. “You can’t do much about it unfortunately. Just show up to the rink and practice when we have practice and try to get better and maintain a positive mentality, a positive attitude, just look forward to when we get back on the ice playing games and hopefully we hit the ground running when we do.”

Nedeljkovic Had Mild Symptoms

Nedeljkovic, like most players, had mild symptoms. “Just a stuffy nose, maybe a little tired the day after but I’ve played through worse in juniors and my last two years in pro,” Nedeljkovic said. “You wake up and feel achy or sore some days and whatever, you just kind of grind through it. Other than the one day I had minor symptoms, I felt fine.”

Blashill said that he expects that only Raymond and Leddy will be on the COVID-19 “can’t play” list for Friday’s home game against the Washington Capitals.

It’s not easy to deal with the last-minute changes.

“You got to the point where we were ready to practice and then get on a flight,”  Blashill said. “We were in game mode. I am disappointed. Certainly the challenge that we all face right now is the roster’s aren’t – we have the opportunity to call good players up but people are missing lots of players. It’s just not really each other’s teams at times that you’re playing against and you’re playing with. I don’t know the answer. Nobody knows the answer. These are challenging times.  I (am not) paid to make those decisions. I get paid to make sure my team’s ready. And that’s what I’m going to do.”