NHL Postpones Games, Bruins-Lightning Will Not Play Friday

BOSTON (CBS) -- The cancellation and boycotting of games in the wake of shootings in Wisconsin has made its way to the NHL. The league announced the postponement of games scheduled for Thursday night and Friday.

"After much discussion, NHL Players believe that the best course of action would be to take a step back and not play tonight's and tomorrow's games as scheduled," the NHL said in a statement. "The NHL supports the Players' decision and will reschedule those four games beginning Saturday and adjust the remainder of the Second Round schedule accordingly."

Both of the games scheduled for Thursday -- a 7 p.m. ET game between the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Islanders, and a scheduled 9:30 p.m. game between the Vegas Golden Knights and Vancouver Canucks will be rescheduled.

On Friday, Game 4 between the Bruins and Lightning and Game 4 between the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche will also be postponed.

The league has not announced when the games will be played.

"Black and Brown communities continue to face real, painful experiences. The NHL and NHLPA recognize that much work remains to be done before we can play an appropriate role in a discussion centered on diversity, inclusion and social justice," the statement said.

Earlier on Thursday, Matt Dumba tweeted that Hockey Diversity Alliance formally requested that the NHL postpone all games for the day, in order to send "a clear message that human rights take priority over sports."

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