More than four months after the NHL put its season on pause due to the coronavirus pandemic, the league is set to return to play this week - albeit, after skipping the remainder of the regular season and going straight to a modified playoff situation that has seen 24 teams make their respective ways to Toronto and Edmonton.
Teams will settle into the “bubble life” in Toronto and Edmonton on Monday, before exhibition games begin Tuesday in both cities. These games, which will continue through Thursday, will give teams a chance to refresh their legs, hit the ice and get accustomed to the swing of things before the games that actually count begin on August 1.