After being unable to take off on Sunday night due to mechanical issues with their aircraft, the start time for the Blue Jackets’ game in Ottawa has been pushed back to 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT, the team announced.
The delays have not been weather-related, although conditions are suboptimal in both cities. Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reported the Blue Jackets were planning to depart at 1:45 p.m. ET. The flight is one hour and should land them in Ottawa at 3 p.m., allowing their earliest arrival at the Canadian Tire Centre to be 4 p.m.
The NHL doesn’t have firm guidelines around when a team must arrive by in order to play. Cases are handled based on the situation, with both teams offering input. Portzline reported that the NHLPA has been notified about this situation.
The two teams last played on Dec. 11 in Columbus, when the Senators walked away with a 6-3 win.
