The Montreal Canadiens will likely have to play in front of empty stands at the Bell Center, since the National Hockey League (LNH) no longer really has any leeway to postpone games just to avoid loss of income.
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At least that’s what the deputy commissioner, Bill Daly, explained at the microphone of a radio station of the Sportsnet network, Monday evening.
“I wouldn’t say we’re still at this point, but I would say we’re pretty much there,” he argued. I don’t expect many games in Canada to be postponed. ”
«[Le calendrier] is constantly updated and modified. We probably have a little bit of headroom left, but not a lot. “
Complex problem
A series of restrictions announced by provincial governments are currently limiting the capacity of amphitheatres due to the resurgence of COVID-19. While Ontario allows 1,000 spectators per event, games held in Quebec and Manitoba must take place behind closed doors.
The Habs also played a match without spectators on December 16. A few days later, the Bettman circuit announced the postponement of several games on Canadian soil, including five for the Canadian.
“The intention is definitely that these games that we’re postponing, we’re going to reschedule them and hopefully be able to play in front of more fans,” said Daly. It would be good for the fans, the teams and the players. ”
Despite everything, the situation remains very complex for the NHL.
“Once you have seven clubs that all of a sudden have problems hosting fans, it becomes a lot more difficult than with just one team with those restrictions. So you have to try to be fair to everyone and take a lot of different factors into account when deciding how you are going to proceed. ”
The Canadian is set to cross swords with the New Jersey Devils on January 15 in Montreal. Then, a trip of five meetings awaits the men of Dominique Ducharme, who will then return to Quebec for the visit of the Anaheim Ducks on January 27.
This duel is the first of four consecutive games at the Bell Center, before the break scheduled for the Olympic Games, which will instead be used to resume 90 canceled games.