The Habs arrived in Toronto yesterday and upon arrival, both the players and the staff had nice surprises waiting for them in their room. Each player had a care package prepared by the team with the assistance of each players' loved ones. While Montreal might just be passing in the bubble, should the unthinkable happen, the players will probably be able to put the contents of the packages to good use:
Les joueurs et le personnel avaient une surprise qui les attendait dans leur chambre, à Toronto. ðŸŽ
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) July 27, 2020
Habs players and staff had some surprises waiting for them in their rooms in Toronto.#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/U7suW8cOD3
After settling in, the Canadiens had their first practice in Toronto this morning and the lines and pairs were as follows:
Tatar - Danault - Gallagher Drouin - Suzuki - Armia Byron - Kotkaniemi - Lehkonen Weise - Domi - Weal Hudon - Poehling - Evans - Belzile
Chiarot - Weber Kulak - Petry Ouellet - Mete Olofsson - Folin Fleury - Juulsen
So far, it looks quite clear what the lines will be when Montreal squares off against the Leafs tomorrow, but it should be noted that according to Engels, each team will be allowed to dress an extra d-man and an extra forward. Whoever Julien decides to dress as extras will be next in line in case of injuries or counter performances.
When asked specifically about Xavier Ouellet being on his third pairing for tomorrow's game, Claude Julien said the team can dress an extra forward and extra defenceman. So, he was basically saying he'll be testing a couple of players. I'm assuming Cale Fleury is one.
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) July 27, 2020
In the good news department, the NHL released the weekly testing numbers today and there were no new cases in the last week:
NHL statement on COVID-19 testing results: pic.twitter.com/5dObzonFWA
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) July 27, 2020
This is rather reassuring and hopefully, it means that everyone who entered the bubble cities yesterday did so perfectly healthy. Meanwhile, the MLB situation is fast deteriorating with more players and coach of the Marlins being tested positive. The Marlins' opening game in Miami and the match-up between the Phillies (the Marlins' last opponents) and the Yankees have been postponed. While the MLB might have been asking for trouble with a return to play plan that included so much travel (which is why Canada will not let the Blue Jays play their home games in Toronto), the NHL bubble plan will only works if people take matters seriously and follow the proper protocols. That means players, team personnel but also the staff working in the bubbles. Today, Dale Weise replied to a Brandon Prust tweet saying this:
Had our server wearing
— Dale Weise (@daleweise22) July 27, 2020
His mask around his neck last night at dinner so will see how this goes prusty lol
This is the kind of thing that could make the best of plans collapse like a house of cards...