How the Hockey Bubble Games Will Impact the Season
Contents
- How the bubble games will impact the season
- What the bubble games mean for the NHL
- How the bubble games will affect the standings
- What the bubble games will do to the playoff race
- How the bubble games will change the postseason
- What the bubble games will do to player safety
- How the bubble games will impact player morale
- What the bubble games will do to team chemistry
- How the bubble games will affect fans
- How the bubble games will impact the business of hockey
As the NHL prepares to return to action in a bubble environment, it’s worth taking a look at how this could impact the 2020-21 season. From schedule changes to player safety here’s what you need to know about the NHL’s return to play.
How the bubble games will impact the season
The NHL’s decision to play the remainder of its season in two hub cities will have a ripple effect on the league’s schedule and standings. Here’s how it could all shake out.
The NHL’s decision to play the remainder of its season in two hub cities will have a ripple effect on the league’s schedule and standings. Here’s how it could all shake out:
The first thing to know is that the NHL has not yet released its full schedule for the 2020-21 season. What is known is that each team will play a 56-game regular season which is down from the usual 82 games.
The second thing to know is that the NHL has said it will realign its 30 teams into four new divisions for next season. The current plan is for those divisions to be based on geography, with teams playing mostly within their own division.
This means that, for example, teams in the Western Conference will mostly play other teams in the Western Conference and vice versa for the Eastern Conference The same goes for teams in different divisions within each conference.
So how will this impact the standings? It’s hard to say for sure because we don’t know which teams will be in which division yet. But one thing is certain: with more games being played against divisional opponents, it will be more important than ever for teams to get off to a good start and stack up wins early in the season.
That’s because there will likely be less room for error when it comes to making the playoffs In a normal 82-game season, each team has a chance to make up ground if they get off to a slow start. But with only 56 games, there won’t be as much time or opportunity to make up ground if a team falls behind early on.
So if you’re a fan of a team that’s not expected to contend for a playoff spot, you might want to temper your expectations for next season – it could be over before you know it!
What the bubble games mean for the NHL
The Stanley Cup playoffs are finally here, and while they look a little different this year, they’re sure to be just as exciting as ever. This year, due to the ongoing pandemic, the playoffs will be held in two “bubbles” in Edmonton and Toronto. All games will be played in front of empty arenas, and there will be no fans in attendance.
So what does this mean for the NHL? Well, for one thing, it means that teams will have to get used to playing in front of no fans. This could have a major impact on how teams perform, as the home-ice advantage is often cited as one of the biggest factors in winning hockey games Additionally, the lack of fans could also impact the way players interact with each other on the ice. There have been several incidents this season where players have gotten into altercations with fans in the stands, and without fans present, we may see a decrease in these kinds of incidents.
Finally, playing in empty arenas could also have an impact on television ratings. It’s unclear how many people will tune in to watch games without any fans in attendance, but it’s possible that the lack of atmosphere could turn some viewers off. We’ll have to wait and see how it all plays out, but one thing is for sure: the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs are sure to be unlike any other.
How the bubble games will affect the standings
With the NHL season on pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, teams are preparing for the unique prospect of resuming play in empty arenas. While the league has not released its official plan for how the standings will be impacted by the games played in these so-called “bubble” environments, there are a few likely scenarios that could play out.
If the league decides to simply extend the regular season by a few weeks to accommodate the bubble games, then the standings will remain largely unchanged. However, if the league opts to give each team a certain number of “points” based on their performance in the bubble games, then the standings could look considerably different when play resumes.
Similarly, if the league decides to seed teams based on their performance in the bubble games, then it is possible that a team like the Tampa Bay Lightning which is currently atop the standings, could find itself playing a much tougher opponent in the first round of playoffs than it would have under normal circumstances.
No matter what scenario plays out, it is clear that the resumption of play in empty arenas will have a significant impact on how this year’s Stanley Cup playoffs unfold.
What the bubble games will do to the playoff race
Of the 31 teams in the NHL, only 16 will make the playoffs. The other 15 teams will finish the season with nothing to show for their efforts but a long summer and an early start on next season.
The playoff race is always exciting, and this year it promises to be even more so. With the addition of the bubble games, there are now more than ever teams in contention for a spot in the playoffs.
The bubble games will have a big impact on the playoff race. They will give some teams an extra chance to make up ground, while others will have to fight just to stay in contention. Here’s a look at how each team in the race is affected by the bubble games:
In the East, the Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins are currently in first and second place respectively. They are both virtual locks to make the playoffs. The Lightning have already clinched a spot, and the Bruins are all but certain to follow suit.
The Florida Panthers are currently in third place, but they are only two points ahead of both the Philadelphia Flyers and Toronto Maple Leafs The Panthers will need to win at least one of their two bubble games to guarantee themselves a spot in the playoffs. Otherwise, they could find themselves on the outside looking in come playoff time.
The Carolina Hurricanes are also in danger of missing out on the playoffs if they don’t win at least one of their bubble games. They are currently in seventh place, but only one point ahead of both the Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Islanders If either team can manage to win both of their bubble games, they will likely move ahead of the Hurricanes in the standings and send them packing for an early vacation.
In the West, things are even tighter at the top of the standings. The St Louis Blues are currently in first place, but only one point ahead of both
How the bubble games will change the postseason
The Stanley Cup Qualifiers are set to begin on August 1st, and with it comes a whole new set of rules and regulations. One of the most significant changes is the introduction of the “bubble” games. While the details are still being finalized, it’s clear that these games will have a major impact on how the postseason plays out.
The biggest change is that all games will be played in a neutral site. This means that there will be no home-ice advantage, and that all teams will be on an equal playing field. This could lead to some upsets, as we’ve seen in other sports leagues like the NBA and MLB.
Another change is that there will be no fans in attendance. This creates a unique environment for the players, and it’s unclear how they will respond. Some might thrive in the circumstances, while others could struggle. This could also lead to more goals being scored, as there will be no crowd noise to distract goalies.
Finally, there is the matter of who gets to play in the postseason. In a normal year, 16 teams would make the playoffs. However, due to the pandemic-shortened season that number has been increased to 24. This means that there will be more teams than ever fighting for the Stanley Cup
All of these changes add up to an unpredictable postseason. It’s anyone’s guess who will come out on top, but one thing is for sure: it’s going to be an exciting couple of weeks of hockey!
What the bubble games will do to player safety
Although the NHL has not had a positive COVID-19 test in over a week, the league is still struggling to keep its players safe. The NHL has implemented a number of safety protocols, including daily testing and the use of a bubble, but there is still a risk of exposure to the virus.
This season, the NHL will be playing all of its games in a bubble. The bubbles will be located in two cities: Toronto and Edmonton. All of the games will be played in one of these two cities, and no fans will be allowed in attendance.
While the bubble will help to protect players from exposure to COVID-19, there are still some risks associated with playing in a bubble. One of the biggest risks is that players could be exposed to the virus if they leave the bubble for any reason. Another risk is that players could become injured while playing in the bubble.
Despite these risks, the NHL is planning on going ahead with the 2020-21 season. The league is hoping that by playing all of its games in a bubble, it can keep its players safe and minimize the risk of exposure to COVID-19.
How the bubble games will impact player morale
The NHL season is drawing to a close, and teams are preparing for the playoffs. But with the coronavirus pandemic still raging, the league has had to get creative in how to keep its players safe. This has led to the creation of the “bubble”: a controlled environment in which teams can play their games without fear of infecting each other.
But how will these bubble games impact the players? With no fans in the stands and no traveling between cities, some have said that the atmosphere will be “strange” and “eerie.” Others have said that it will be a great opportunity to focus on hockey and nothing else.
Either way, one thing is for sure: the bubble games will have a major impact on how the playoffs unfold.
What the bubble games will do to team chemistry
The NHL’s bubble games will have a big impact on team chemistry, according to some experts. The games will be played without fans, which means that players will have to get used to playing in a very different atmosphere. Additionally, the games will be played in a very condensed schedule, which could lead to fatigue and injuries.
How the bubble games will affect fans
As the NHL prepares for its Stanley Cup qualifiers in two “bubble” sites, Canada and the United States teams, players and fans are wondering how these unique circumstances will affect the league moving forward.
For fans, the most obvious change will be the lack of attendance at games. With no fans in the stands, the atmosphere of NHL arenas will be very different. Some fans have expressed concern that this could lead to a decline in popularity for the sport.
However, others believe that the bubble games could actually increase interest in hockey. With no other Live Sports taking place, many people may be tuning in to see what all the fuss is about. And with social media allowing fans to interact directly with players and teams, there is potential for a more personal connection between them.
Only time will tell how the NHL’s decision to play bubble games will affect the sport long-term. But one thing is certain: it will be an experience like no other for everyone involved.
How the bubble games will impact the business of hockey
The bubble games will have a significant impact on the business of hockey.
The NHL has been facing declining ratings for several years, and the league is hoping that the excitement of the playoffs will help boost ratings. However, it is unclear how much of an impact the bubble games will have.
While the games will be played in front of empty arenas, they will be shown on television and streamed online. This will give fans a chance to watch playoff hockey without having to pay for a ticket or travel to a rink.
The bubble games could also lead to increased interest in hockey from casual fans. With no other sports currently being played, many people are looking for something to watch. The NHL playoffs could fill that void for some people.
It is also possible that the bubble games could have a negative impact on the business of hockey. If the games are not well-received by fans, it could further damage the NHL’s reputation.
Only time will tell how the bubble games will impact the business of hockey.