The Montreal Canadiens head into Game Two of the North Division Finals on Friday with a chance to go up 2-0 in the series on the Winnipeg Jets. In fact, the series could be over as early as early as Monday if the Habs continue to win. There might be just one business day left between now and Montreal advancing to the NHL’s postseason final four. Yet, they still have no idea whether or not they will be playing any home games beyond that point.
Reporting for Sportsnet late last night, David Morassutti relays word from Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly that the league and the Canadian government still do not have any agreement on an exception to current border policies. With Canada behind the United States in Coronavirus vaccinations, the country and each of the provinces still have strict border restrictions and tight health regulations. Those are not going away any time soon, so if the NHL wants Montreal or Winnipeg to be able to host home games in the next round or two, they need to negotiate an exception to the rules. Daly notes that conversations with Canadian officials are ongoing and “increasing in frequency” and there is an understanding that the NHL needs a decision as soon as possible. However, Canada is already late on a ruling; the NHL had previously announced that they hoped to have the border exception hammered out by the end of the first round.
Morassutti reports that what is being discussed is a “national interest exemption” that would allow both NHL and MLB teams – with the Toronto Blue Jays currently calling the U.S. home – to cross the border without facing quarantine time. However, a new set of policies would need to be put in place to safeguard against COVID transmission from these visitors and public health officials would need to approve. Daly feels confident that a solution can be reached soon, but phrases like “rigorous due diligence” from the Canadian side cast some doubt on just how quickly this can be done. With the next round arriving no later than June 13, will “soon” be soon enough for the Stanley Cup Playoffs?
If no deal is reached, meaning American clubs cannot cross the border and the Canadian champ cannot return once they cross into the U.S. either, the alternative would be that the North Division winner would have to adopt a home south of the border for their remaining games. In all likelihood, these plans have already been made in the event that a border exception is not reached in time. However, there has been no indication by the NHL of what this Plan B might be. The closest American cities to Montreal that could host NHL postseason play include Portland, ME, Manchester, NH, and Rochester or Syracuse, NY, all current or former AHL homes. Boston is the closest NHL city, but seems unlikely due to the Bruins’ potential inclusion in the next round. Buffalo would likely be the next-best choice. As for Winnipeg, options are few and far between. The club is located very close to Grand Forks, ND, home of the University of North Dakota and a location that was considered as hub city for the 2020 postseason. However, it likely isn’t an ideal spot for the NHL. Minneapolis is the only NHL city even remotely close for the Jets, though Seattle has also been mentioned as possibility.
There is still a lot of unknowns about this situation and time is running out. Hopefully the Canadian government can work with the NHL to come to a quick solution on an amended border policy. If not, the North Division champ will face the disadvantage of playing in a strange city as their reward for advancing on in the postseason.
simple solution – hold the final rounds exclusively in the US. the Canadian champ only has to cross the border once, and it’s out of Canada.
And considering that two U S. based teams played for the Cup in Canada last year, it really shouldn’t be a big deal to do as you say. Having a full house of fans would be good for the optics as well.
Don’t even travel-stay in Colorado or Vegas then Tampa/NC/LI/Bos.
The league is so smart-let’s start shuttling clubs in and out of Colorado with the altitude.
Agreed. Seems so simple but the league insists on shuttling everybody halfway across the continent between games.
Just play the rest of the playoffs in Mystery, Alaska. The last time an NHL team played there, it was such a big deal that they made a documentary about it!
So there you are up in Canada, forbidden from venturing outdoors, only to see a “National Interest Exemption” given to people to play a game. But fear not, the science is being followed. :/
The way the Habs are going, they will probably win the Cup if they play all their games on the road! The celebration in North Dakota will be a doozy! :D
I enjoy your lack of understanding of anything outside of the US.
Science is dumb, borders have no meaning.
I do agree, the way the Habs are going, they might just get the cup if Price does a Roy and they grind their opponents into the ground. Lacking true star power is an advantage in a league that does not permit the Refs to call anything on the ‘star’ players.
Don’t disrespect North Dakota. Fargo is a great place to live!
If you have a few dollars on you, buy a sense of humor and sense of irony.
I happen to love the free state of North Dakota. Just think, you can play a hockey game there and watch it in person!
Just cancel the playoffs. Its not like anyone in the states cares about hockey.
I still don’t know why losers like you show up to these pages to hate on the sport for no reason
It’s cos his own parents hate him
Wow. Couple Karen’s here dont understand the concept of sarcasm.
Maybe you 2 should go back to the mlbtr site.
Habs will play in Buffalo so the people there can remember what playoffs are like.
What is the current status of Canada’s vaccination rates?
Canadians should start taking vacations to Rite Aids in Alabama. Dose after dose getting freezer burns.
To paraphrase Lynyrd Skynyrd, “A southern man don’t need advice from forwhomjoshbelltolled anyhow”!
And really, they don’t.
Luckily, I was giving advice to Northern men.
It is merely the Southern man’s rejection of sound advice, science and medical technology that creates an opportunity for Northern men to utilize in their stead.
Right, like southern states doing much better on covid than northern states and also not trampling on the constitutional rights.
Frankly, I wish I were one of them.
I do see a lot of people here with Dixie flags on their trailers who appear to be confused as to which side of the Mason Dixon they are on.
You’ll see alot more people formerly north of the Mason-Dixon line residing now in southern states than the reverse of that. And for good reason.
The Prime Minister of Canada is a buffoon who is delusional and has no concept of reality or science.
Unfortunately, his older twin reigns just south of him.