Thursday game between Golden Knights and Sharks postponed

The game between the Vegas Golden Knights and San Jose Sharks set for Thursday at SAP Center has been postponed.

The Sharks announced that a player entered COVID-19 protocol and, out of “an abundance of caution,” the game was moved. The player was forward Tomas Hertl, the league announced when it released its COVID absences list at 2 p.m. PT.

At time of writing, the NHL has not announced a makeup date for this game. Thursday was originally supposed to be the start of a two-game slate against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center.

That game was moved to make up one of two Golden Knights-Sharks games due to postponements on the Vegas side with Alex Pietrangelo and the coaching staff entering protocol.

Vegas won the first meeting of the season between the rivals, 3-1, at SAP Center on Feb. 13.

San Jose canceled its 11 a.m. practice.

The Golden Knights, meanwhile, held practice at City National Arena on Wednesday and intended on traveling to Northern California shortly after.

Turns out, barring schedule changes, the Golden Knights will get a couple of more days off. Vegas’ next game is at Anaheim on Saturday.

Lehner was doubtful to travel

Prior to the postponement, Vegas coach Pete DeBoer said it was doubtful that goalie Robin Lehner would travel with the team to San Jose.

Lehner did not practice Wednesday as he continues to rehab from an upper-body injury. The goalie hasn’t played since Feb. 7, but it appeared he would be back to practice after Vegas re-assigned Oscar Dansk to the Henderson Silver Knights.

However, Vegas recalled Logan Thompson from Henderson and assigned him to its taxi squad. Dansk will start for Henderson on Wednesday and Friday against the San Diego Gulls.

“From everything I’m hearing, he’s progressing in a positive manner,” DeBoer said.

Goalie prospect Dylan Ferguson is also still with the big club for the time being.

With Lehner out again, the expectation would’ve been Marc-Andre Fleury to make his eighth consecutive start.

Oscar Dansk was re-assigned to Henderson. He will start Wednesday and Friday against the San Diego Gulls, Silver Knights coach Manny Viveiros said.