NHL admits that it allowed players to play despite positive test results

This just in, the NHL has released a statement that effectively incriminates itself with regards to its own COVID-19 policies. In case you missed it, Vegas Golden Knights forward Tomas Nosek was pulled from his team's game last night against the Anaheim Ducks after it was determined that he had tested positive for COVID-19 earlier in the day. The big question now is... why was Nosek allowed to play if he hadn't provided a negative test? How can the NHL allow a potentially positive player to play in a game? Second question is then, why was the game allowed to continue after it was determined that Nosek had tested positive?

The answer to the first question isn't great, to be honest. The NHL does not use "rapid testing" for players, therefore morning/afternoon test results usually aren't available prior to game time. For some reason the NHL still thinks it's okay for these players to play...

Now... why did the NHL allow the game to continue? Your guess is as good as mine, but I'm guessing it has something to do with the fact that news of a postponement "in-game" would have caused shockwaves throughout the sports world.

The official statement from the NHL regarding Nosek's positive test and the resulting decisions made by the league:

NEW YORK (Feb. 10, 2021) – The National Hockey League announced today that, immediately upon notification that one of its Players had returned a positive test for COVID-19, the Vegas Golden Knights removed forward Tomas Nosek from Tuesday night’s game vs. Anaheim, in precise accordance with the terms of the League’s COVID Protocol. Nosek was immediately isolated from his teammates and close contact tracing was begun, also in accordance with the Protocol.

Tomorrow night’s game in Las Vegas between the Golden Knights and Ducks remains scheduled to be played at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Rapid PCR Point of Care tests will be administered to all Players and staff on both teams in advance of that game (in addition to the daily lab-based PCR testing) and any decision regarding potential postponement will be made by the League’s, NHLPA’s and Clubs’ medical officials, following all COVID Protocols and local and federal regulations. 

The Vegas organization has followed, and will continue to follow, all recommended guidelines aimed at protecting the health and safety of their Players, staff and community at large as set by the NHL, local, state and national agencies.

In other words, "we messed up here big time and we might have to take an L on this, standby."

Don't be surprised if and when the NHL puts both the Golden Knights and the Ducks into quarantine.

This seems like a pretty appropriate reaction: