Canadian Government Says Yes to Travel During NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs

New is breaking on Sunday that the Canadian government has approved travel and NHL teams will be allowed to cross the border for the third round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, and if necessary, the Stanley Cup final. NHL Deputy commissioner Bill Daly says NHL is “very appreciative of the decision by the Canadian government & Federal health officials.”

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Huge news: Beginning next round, Canadian teams can host U.S. teams—as long as American teams get tested daily & don’t interact with general public.

Deputy commish Bill Daly says NHL is “very appreciative of the decision by the Canadian government & Federal health officials”

— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) June 6, 2021

As per a tweet by CBC News Alerts, “NHL players and team personnel will cross the border using private planes, and will be subject to pre and post-arrival testing in addition to daily COVID-19 tests. The players will have to live in a modified quarantine bubble and there will be no contact with the general public.”

This is a big, big deal for the NHL who was working through a solution to the third round of the playoffs and where the team from Canada would play, and/or be hosted in the United States if cross-border travel wasn’t approved. Now, it won’t matter as beginning next round, Canadian teams can host U.S. teams—as long as American teams get tested daily and don’t interact with fans and other members of the public.

Players and club personnel will be subject to enhanced public health measures but at least they’ll be able to play in their own respective buildings, and in some cases, with fans present.

Daly added in his statement:

“As we did during our Return to Play last August and September in the Edmonton and Toronto bubbles and throughout the 2020-21 regular season, we have again worked closely with PHAC, and the provincial and municipal health authorities to develop a series of strict protocols that will protect the safety of all concerned.”

The Montreal Canadiens are currently leading the Winnipeg Jets 2-0 in the North Division final. The winner of that series will face one of three U.S. division winners in the league semifinals. If either Montreal or Winnipeg get past that opponent, they’ll be in the Final and playing in their own arena is a massive deal.

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