Severe winter weather in Columbus forced the postponement of Monday's NHL game between the Los Angeles Kings and Columbus Blue Jackets. The matchup, originally set for Nationwide Arena, has been rescheduled for March 9. Both teams completed morning skates before the league's announcement at noon.
Monday began routinely at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, with the Blue Jackets hitting the ice for their 10:30 a.m. ET morning skate. Players including Denton Mateychuk, who was set to return from injury on the third pairing with Egor Zamula, Dante Fabbro, and Miles Wood participated fully. Captain Boone Jenner reflected on the historic snowstorm that dumped 11.9 inches on Sunday, tying a January record from 1910. "Yeah, definitely. Probably the most since I’ve been here, no doubt," Jenner said. He even tried sledding with his son, though the child was not enthusiastic.
Mateychuk, hailing from Canada, noted the rapid accumulation: "We get it. But not straight from bare grass to a foot-and-a-half to two feet of snow. It seemed like a lot."
Head coach Rick Bowness confirmed Mateychuk's return during his availability. Meanwhile, the Kings, who arrived around 3 a.m. Sunday from St. Louis, skated at 11:30 a.m. ET, with Darcy Kuemper and Anton Forsberg in net. They had spent the off-day watching NFL games.
Franklin County remained under a Level 3 snow emergency, restricting roads to essential travel only due to hazardous conditions and bitter cold. At 12:02 p.m. ET, the NHL announced the postponement, citing severe winter weather. The game will be made up on March 9 in Columbus, with start time to be determined.
The decision came swiftly after preparations, leaving questions about earlier warnings given the emergency level since Sunday. Many side roads remained uncleared, prompting the league's call. The Kings proceed to Detroit for Tuesday's game against the Red Wings, while the Blue Jackets host the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday and practice Tuesday morning.