As the coronavirus has prompted the NHL to put three teams on sideline for at least two weeks and postpone various contests, the Vancouver Canucks will have two games this weekend at Rogers Arena at full capacity before new arena limitations take effect Monday.
The British Columbia government announced new rules Friday to combat the COVID-19 surge, limiting indoor venues of 1,000 people or more to 50 percent capacity starting Monday.
The Canucks host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday and the Arizona Coyotes on Sunday.
Vancouver joins Toronto and Ottawa among Canadian NHL teams now limiting their arenas to 50 percent capacity, and the Montreal Canadiens allowed no fans Thursday night for their game with the Philadelphia Flyers.
In addition, Calgary, Colorado, and Florida have had all of their games postponed by the league until at least Dec. 26.
Nearly 150 NHL players have been placed in COVID protocols this season despite almost all players being vaccinated.
The Canucks, who last season were sidelined for nearly a month when 25 members of the organization were affected, have won six games in a row.
After the two games this weekend, they visit the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday before returning home for a Thursday night gamed against the Anaheim Ducks.
–Field Level Media