The NHL paused its season amid coronavirus concerns and, even though the league is optimistic that it can restart, there’s no definitive return date in sight. When, and if, hockey returns, we could witness one of the most abnormal conclusions to the season in league history. Veterans rested. Injured stars recovered. An expanded playoff format. And … the Stanley Cup on ice in the middle of summer? It’s all possible.
What will happen when the NHL retakes the ice? Here are a few scenarios (some more realistic than others) for how the rest of the season could play out:
The Penguins March to the Stanley Cup
It seems like a long time ago, but winger Jake Guentzel underwent right shoulder surgery on Dec.