It’s a bad time machine. With the Omicron variant, we are almost back to the reality of the first months of the pandemic in 2020. NHL leaders have not completely slowed down the season, but it will take place at two speeds.
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There is the American reality and the Canadian reality.
“There are no restrictions for our 25 US formations on the ability to accommodate supporters currently,” confirmed Bill Daly, the right-hand man of Commissioner Gary Bettman, in an email exchange with The newspaper.
In the United States, supporters can pass through amphitheater turnstiles without any problem. In some American cities, however, there is an obligation to present proof of vaccination. It varies from state to state.
The Canadiens play their next game on Wednesday night against the Bruins in Boston. Like the vast majority of games between the two old rivals, the TD Garden will likely be packed. A scene that will represent a contrast to that of the last game at the Bell Center, where the CH had played behind closed doors against the Philadelphia Flyers, on December 16.
An advantage with supporters
But we know the reality of the two countries. The United States has a private health care system compared to Canada.
“There is always an advantage to have your supporters behind you,” admitted Dominique Ducharme a few hours before the departure for Boston on Tuesday. But we are talking about two different countries, two different health systems and two different approaches. There are things that we cannot control.
“But if you ask me and you ask the players what we prefer, it is to play in front of a full arena,” continued the head coach of the CH. Over a long season of 82 games, you want to enjoy your home games and feed on the energy of the fans. We’ll see what happens when we get home [après un voyage de sept matchs à l’étranger]. Of course, we would like to have people in the stands. “
24,000 cases in Massachusetts
If there is any sad justice with the pandemic, it is because it is hitting everywhere. The Omicron variant does not stop at a border. There is an outbreak of cases all over the world. Canada and the United States are no exception.
For this classic between Montreal and Boston, we can highlight certain figures. In terms of hockey, the Bruins (19-11-2) have a much better season than the CH (7-23-4).
There is less disparity in the statistics for COVID-19. According to daily data The New York Times, Massachusetts has reported a daily average of 24,420 positive cases in the past seven days. Of the 50 US states, Massachusetts has the fourth worst average with 354 positive cases per 100,000 population.
Distorted data
In Quebec, the number of new cases of COVID-19 reported by positive PCR tests was 8,710 on Tuesday.
“Remember that the number of cases listed is not representative of the situation since access to screening centers is restricted to priority clienteles,” warns Quebec, however, in its daily press release.
This is probably closer to the daily average for Massachusetts, which has a population of nearly 7 million.
► Separately, the Bruins have come to an agreement with goaltender Tuukka Rask for the remainder of this season a few hours after releasing him from his professional try in the American League. His contract will weigh $ 1 million on payroll, but the 34-year-old Finn will actually get $ 545,000.