Report: 'Zero chance' NHL postpones Game 5 due to storm

The NHL isn't planning to reschedule Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final in Tampa on Wednesday night despite the imminent arrival of Tropical Storm Elsa.

There's "zero chance" the game would need to be delayed based on the storm's current trajectory, an NHL source told ESPN's Greg Wyshynski. Forecasts are calling for the worst of the storm to end by Wednesday afternoon.

On Tuesday, the National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane warning for part of Florida's Gulf Coast with winds intensifying. All of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Montreal Canadiens, and other NHL personnel have already landed safely in the area.

Tampa International Airport shut down at 5 p.m. ET and aimed to reopen Wednesday morning after evaluating the conditions.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the league would keep tabs on the situation.

"(We) will continue to monitor and make a call when we have to," Daly said Tuesday, according to The Associated Press' Stephen Whyno. "We do have an amount of flexibility."

Game 5 is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET Wednesday. The Lightning lead the series 3-1 and can win the Stanley Cup with a victory.

Copyright (C) 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.