NHL contradicts its own rules, postpones Flyers game tonight

The NHL has announced that tonight's scheduled game between the Philadelphia Flyers and Carolina Hurricanes has been postponed. The reasoning for postponing the game, according to the league itself, is "due to COVID-related issues affecting the Philadelphia Flyers."

Check it out:

Now, if you're a Flyers fans you're probably scratching your head right now...

The Flyers officially have six players in NHL COVID-19 Protocol and played in the exact same scenario last week against the Pittsburgh Penguins. So... what gives? The team was allowed to play in the exact same conditions last week, but now they can't this week? Oh... and other teams with 8 or 9 players in COVID-19 Protocol are still expected to suit up. Where's the consistency? What's the rationale behind these decisions? It sure is frustrating when it's obvious that the NHL is making things up on the fly.

And you know what? I'm not the only one confused by all this, just check out some of these replies from Flyers fans:

This final one, to me, hits the nail right on the head:

Why were the Flyers forced to play the Penguins? Oh.... that's right... the game was broadcasted on ESPN. Can't upset ESPN, they're paying big bucks for the NHL's rights, so suit up boys! I hate to be so cynical but if you think the NHL's reasoning behind postponing these games has anything to do with health and safety, well... I've got a bag of magic beans to sell you. The fact of the matter is that the NHL is making these decisions based on revenue and partnership reasons above everything else. 

Call me cruel, call me an idiot but I feel like if a team can ice a full roster of players by using their taxi squad and AHL call-ups then the games should be played. I understand that that affects to competitive landscape of the league, but at this point I think the players understand that we're operating under unique circumstances. Dress 20 men and drop the puck already.