NEWSLETTER
It took a long time for fans to return to the arenas in the NHL in the United States, with the Chicago Blackhawks being the last U.S.-based team to allow fans back into the United Center. For the Stanley Cup Playoffs, we’ve seen all U.S.-based teams have fans in their arenas, with the Carolina Hurricanes having 12,000 fans in attendance for Game One last night. In Canada, it has been a different story and a longer wait.
But it appears the wait is coming to a close, if we get to a Game Six.
The Montreal Canadiens announced on Tuesday that they will allow 2,500 fans to attend a potential Game Six against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Bell Centre if the series gets to that point.
Déclaration quant à la réouverture prévue du Centre Bell
» https://t.co/jA2F34ARixStatement on the scheduled reopening of the Bell Centre
» https://t.co/rnzS5ujbPf#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/GheRvYxeJC— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) May 18, 2021
Quebec Premier François Legault announced earlier Tuesday that indoor conference halls and stadiums in the province could admit up to 250 people per section starting May 28. The potential Game Six is scheduled for May 29th and if we get to that point, it would be the first professional game in Canada with fans in the stands since the COVID-19 Pandemic shutdown.
The series between the Canadiens and Maple Leafs is set to begin on Thursday night.
