AP: NHL postpones Blue Jackets–Kings game in Columbus due to major winter storm; rescheduled for March 9

The NHL postponed Monday night’s Columbus Blue Jackets home game against the Los Angeles Kings because a major winter storm created hazardous travel conditions across parts of the United States, according to an Associated Press report carried by The Telegraph.

AP said nearly a foot of snow fell in Columbus, Ohio, and windchill values were forecast to plunge to around minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit Monday night—conditions severe enough to raise safety concerns for teams, arena staff, and fans traveling to and from the game.

The league rescheduled the matchup for March 9 in Columbus, AP reported, a decision that fits a broader pattern of sports schedule disruption as Winter Storm Fern moved through multiple regions.

The storm’s effect has not been limited to hockey. AP noted that the NBA also postponed games in Memphis and Milwaukee on Sunday because of the same weather system, underscoring how widespread the transportation and safety impacts have been.

For the NHL, postponements are rare enough that they immediately affect team logistics: travel days get reshuffled, practice plans change, and clubs must juggle arena availability later in the season. In tight playoff races, the timing of make-up games can also matter, particularly if teams face compact stretches of games after rescheduling.

League and local officials urged the public to prioritize safety as the storm drove dangerous road conditions. With heavy snow and extreme cold expected, postponing the game was framed as a practical move to reduce risk during a multi-day weather emergency affecting large portions of the country.