the resumption of the NHL season could be considered a miracle on ice. First, never before in the major overseas League played in the summer. Secondly, on the way to restart the leadership of the League had to endure the press of public opinion, which is not particularly weak, and skepticism of the players themselves. First even against enormous potential losses of money the players did not want to return to the ice elementary out of concern for their own health.
That’s why when ambitious project of renewal of the season, the paramount attention was paid to it security. Appropriate action is spelled out in the protocols to restart, which affects its thoroughness.
let’s Start with the fact that the maximum was reduced club delegation. Each team was entitled to bring no more than 52 people, including the staff and management of the club. Directly in the composition was allowed to include 31 teams. Every day from the moment of arrival to the hotel (in Toronto went the teams from the Eastern conference in Edmonton – West), all members of delegations and staff are required to take the test for the coronavirus.
In the three hotels (in Toronto, one couldn’t fit) are placed at several teams. Each has one floor. Living conditions are very strict: the players are accommodated in single rooms, which are not even invite coaches and teammates. Unauthorized to leave the place of dislocation, called in the North American press for their secrecy and sterile “bubbles”, is strictly prohibited. That is, the teams that reach the finals, unable to stay in voluntary confinement for up to two months.
Quite a solitary position players will call with top-notch restaurants, fitness centres, pools, cinemas and other infrastructure. And still two months away from their families (family will be allowed to the hotels only at the stage of the conference finals) is a serious test of mental strength.
“Ice is the only place where players will not think about security,” said coach Carolina Rod Brind Amor. But it was thought by the organizers. The complete absence of spectators. So the NHL tried to make the playoffs maximally watchable on TV. Every match will be covered by 32 cameras instead of the standard 20 (you can no longer deliver, not hath a review of the fans). To improve the picture along the perimeter of exposed LCD screens. Closer to the ice are microphones in order to strengthen the presence effect.
the Sudden plus largely due to the absence of spectators good ice despite the heat outside. But the players admit that without the fans still not the same. In order to smooth over this moment each team recorded music the slogans from their native arenas that will be included during the games. Well, without disinfection anywhere: during exhibition matches you can watch as specially trained people literally lick everything it touches players.
Absolutely all agree that the playoffs in such force majeure conditions will have a special place in history as the winner. Some layouts quotes very conditional: they built on that was four months ago.
Of the 744 players who will take part in this adventure, 42 will represent Russia. Someone from our side got into the final composition of his team in advance, and someone in the club doing the basic rate. The second category is a contender for the title of most valuable player last “regular season”, the leader of the “new York Rangers” Artemiy Panarin. He is expected, if not a miracle, then close. In his team he is not the only Russian. In good standing with the Rangers, Pavel Buchnevich, and Igor Shesterkin, brilliantly manifested itself at the end of the regular season, will probably be the main goalkeeper.
the opponents Panarin and company “Carolina”, which already manifests itself as a future NBA superstar 20-year-old Andrei Svechnikov.
In the qualification stage of our one to look out for Evgeni Malkin, who is at an unhealthy Sidney Crosby should lead the teammates. In the series “Florida” – “islanders” we will witness a duel of the goalkeepers of the Russian two-time winner of the prize of the best goalkeeper Sergey Bobrovsky and Semyon Varlamov.
do Not forget about the guy “Toronto” Ilya Mikheev. He shock started the season, and then received a severe hand injury. But now recovered and his game in training camp and in the exhibition game deserved great press. It may well be the opening of the playoffs.
Now, as the teams who are already guaranteed a place in the 1/8 finals. There are two “Russian” club. First, it is “Washington” Alexander Ovechkin, who, judging by the double in test match, is in great shape. In addition to the Ovi in the “capital” five Russians, including Ilya Kovalchuk and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Second, a strong colony of compatriots in “Tampa” (four people). There top scorer of last season, Nikita Kucherov, and the best goalkeeper in the NHL right now Andrey Vasilevskiy. In addition, don’t forget about the leader of the current holder of the Stanley Cup, “St. Louis” Vladimir Tarasenko and forward of “Dallas” Alexander Radulov. In short, the Russian fans in the NHL have someone to worry about.
the Regular championship of NHL 2019/20, with the participation of 31 teams (24 US, 7 – Canada) was terminated on 12 March, when the clubs held from 68 to 71 of the 82 scheduled match. During the pause, the decision was made to restart summer. According to the classification (��of percentage points) in the Western (15 clubs) and East (16) conferences by 4 of the best participant directly admitted to the 1/8 finals of the Stanley Cup. It is the current holder of the trophy “Saint Louis”, “Colorado”, “Vegas”, “Dallas”; “Boston”, “Tampa Bay”, “Washington”, “Philadelphia”.
the Teams who have unfinished “regular season” places with 5-go on 12-e conference on a truncated 1/16 finals (qualification) will compete in a series to three victories. The composition of the vapor of the starting round of the playoffs (1-9 August). West: (5) “Edmonton” – (12) Chicago (6) Nashville – (11) “Arizona” (7) “Vancouver” – (10) Minnesota, (8) “Calgary” – (9) “Winnipeg”. “East”: (5) “Pittsburgh” – (12) Montreal, (6) “Carolina” – (11) “New York Rangers” (7) “New York Islanders” – (10) Florida, (8) “Toronto” – (9) “Columbus”.
Prepared
