New report indicates the later the NHL starts the less likely Rangers in playoffs
Andrew Gross of the Newsday is reporting that a league source has indicated that two scenarios are considered top plans to resume. The leading candidate is the 24 team playoffs but if the league can’t begin phases 2 and 3 of their plans in time, it could be just 16 team for the Cup.
The first scenario includes 24 teams. Under this plan, the top four teams would play for playoff seeding and the bottom teams would have postseason play-in games. The second plan would include only 16 teams heading straight into the playoffs, with no regular-season games salvaged. It’s not clear how the standings for the returning teams in either scenario would be determined or where the games would be played.
NEWSDAY
If the league would be forced into a 16 team scenario, the Rangers would absolutely be out of the playoffs. We will have more news on this as it becomes available.
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NHL News and Notes
Earlier this week we reported and opined on the news that the leading scenario the NHL will resume with is a 24 team playoffs. However, the league believes it is still on track to open middle or later this month. Recently, Ontario said they would allow both the Leafs and Sens to open practice facilities but word from the NHL was that’s not enough to enter phase 2.
According to data compiled by TSN from local and international media reporting, approximately half of the NHL’s markets would have been permitted to open team facilities as part of Phase 2 on Friday. That number could shift to approximately 22 clubs by May 15, when local restrictions are scheduled to be eased in Arizona, California, Minnesota and Nevada. Daly said the NHL has not determined yet what would constitute that “acceptable mass” and it likely won’t be a set number. It will depend on “direct communications with local health authorities.”
TSN
Rangers Practicing In Connecticut
A report coming out of the Hartford Courant by Dom Amore indicates that the Rangers and representatives of the XL Center have had early discussions on using the facility. According to Amore, MSG officials and XL Center reps have talked about possibly using it for practice.
“We’d entertain it,” said Michael W. Freimuth, executive direction of the Capital Region Development Authority. “It’s something we’d explore.” MSG officials, though a spokesperson, declined to comment.
Hartford Courant
It is believed that NY will not be ready to allow Manhattan, Nassau or Westchester county to open by May 15th. This leaves both the Rangers and Islanders in a pickle. If Connecticut will allow it both teams could be practicing out of their AHL affiliate facilities in Hartford and Bridgeport respectively.
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