Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov celebrates his shutout win and series victory with teammates Mathew Barzal and Jordan Eberle after defeating the Washington Capitals in Game 5 of the playoffs in Toronto on Aug. 20, 2020. Credit: AP/Nathan Denette
Fans, journalists and television analysts have spent a month trying to assess the psychological state of NHL and NBA players trapped in comfy but isolating “bubbles” designed to keep them safe from the COVID-19 virus.
It is a valid discussion topic because the teams that make it to the finish line in early autumn likely will be both talented and mentally strong.