Hawks trying to follow COVID-19 protocols ‘as best as we can’ – NBC Sports Chicago

Even though the world has started to normalize amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Monday served as another reminder that we're not out of the woods yet.

The Blackhawks had their game at the United Center postponed after six Calgary Flames players and one staff member entered the COVID-19 protocol within a 24-hour span.

"It sucks," Alex DeBrincat said. "You get ready to play and it's not happening. But anything can happen nowadays, you have to be ready for anything."

The Flames are the third team this season to have multiple games postponed because of an outbreak, joining the New York Islanders and Ottawa Senators who each had games in November rescheduled.

The Blackhawks understand it can be challenging to control outbreaks no matter how tightly you're following therules. They were one of the teams at the beginning of the season that had several players and coaches in protocol at once, which included Patrick Kane, who netted a hat trick in his return after missing four games.

"We see that a little bit earlier in the year, we had a couple guys out," DeBrincat said. "It is what it is. We're doing everything we can to prevent it but sometimes this stuff happens. Just got to roll with the punches and go about it."

The team continues to remind their players about the seriousness of the virus, and the steps everyone needs to take to ensure games aren't postponed in the future.

Interim head coach Derek King also confirmed he and other staff members and players have received their booster shots, but the Blackhawks aren't at 100 percent yet. Every player is, however, fully vaccinated.

"It's the whole, make sure we remind our guys: masks, wash your hands, stay out of crowded areas," interim head coach Derek King said. "We're following the protocols to a T as best as we can, so touch wood. Hopefully we don't get something like that.

"It's a concern, but like I said, we're doing all our diligence on this. We're making sure our guys are following the protocols, making reminders, there's masks always out, the hand sanitizer, we're on top of these guys. We can't worry about it. Hopefully it doesn't happen, but if it does we'll deal with it when it happens."

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Hawks trying to follow COVID-19 protocols 'as best as we can' - NBC Sports Chicago