NEW YORK — The NHL has postponed the New York Islanders' games at least through Tuesday as the team deals with a growing number of players in COVID-19 protocol.

The NHL said in a release that an eighth Islanders player entered the league's protocol on Saturday morning, joining a list that includes captain Anders Lee and top scorer Josh Bailey.

The postponements affect the Islanders' games Sunday against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden and Tuesday at Philadelphia.

The earliest the Islanders could return to action is Dec. 4 against the Red Wings in Detroit.

New York lost 1-0 to visiting Pittsburgh on Friday, extending the Islanders' regulation losing streak to eight games.

The Islanders are the second team to have games postponed this season due to COVID-19 protocols. An outbreak on the Ottawa Senators led the the postponement of their three games last week.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 27, 2021.