An NHL Playoffs Like No Other
Tampa Bay Lightning players surround NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman as they celebrate after defeating the Dallas Stars to win the Stanley Cup in Edmonton, Alberta, on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
Who would have thought that a professional sports team could pull off a championship run in the middle of a pandemic? Who would have thought a sports league could do this? The Tampa Bay Lighting won the NHL Stanley Cup this year in what was a huge success in the bubble format on September 28, 2020. Just a few months ago, the sports world could never have imagined those words. The NHL introduced, along with other sports organizations, the bubble format, which was enjoyed by sports fans at Browning.
Critics thought a hockey season could never be resumed after the pause in March. Even the professional hockey writer and radio commentator, Dennis Bernstein, knew people had strong opinions on the NHL’ s plan. Fast forward to July and the NHL put together a plan to begin the season, starting with a new version of the playoffs. This required a lot of work both from the NHL and its players.
“The collaboration between NHL and NHLPA regarding the Return To Play protocol was the key to getting the game back on the ice in August,” Bernstein said. “The players’ commitment to adhere to the safety protocol was why the Stanley Cup was awarded in September.”
The majority of NHL players and teams agreed on the newly adapted 24-team playoff format for the return to play plan. The 24 teams traveled to two hub cities, Edmonton for the Western Conference, and Toronto for the Eastern conference. Dennis Bernstein had first hand experience of the bubble life.
“I covered The Stanley Cup Final in Edmonton that included a 14-day quarantine as an American citizen. It was very challenging at times and based on my experience, I don’t believe a bubble will take place going forward as it is too stressful to everyday living,” Bernstein said.
The strict protocols are what made the NHL bubble work. Team staff and media were required to follow safety protocols and take COVID-19 tests everyday. In the two months of being in the hub cities, there were zero positive tests.
The NHL bubble playoffs were very strange for hockey viewers across the world. There were no fans in the arenas. Because of that, the NHL put display covers on the seats to make the arena appear less empty. The loud noise and excitement is what makes a hockey game so enjoyable to watch. New York Islanders fan Jacob L. ’21 had very good feedback for the bubble format.
“I thought that the bubble hockey was amazing,” Jacob said. “I saw my Islanders go farther than they ever have before, and the hockey was the same as it was when the season stopped. I could not have been happier about the outcome of the bubble.”
Jacob, along with the rest of the hockey world, was pleased to see a safe return to play. The NHL now knows that a bubble format is successful. This format could be the new way to play sports in the foreseeable future.