COVID-19 is still having an impact on the hockey world, albeit on a smaller scale.
Canadian teams are taking alternative travel routes in the US to avoid testing. As the Oilers and Maple Leafs head south of the border for Games 3 and 4 in their first-round NHL playoff series, they are opting to just cross the border rather than fly.
The creative journey for Canada’s playoff teams. The Oilers flew to Vancouver last night and will be settling in Washington today before flying to LA. By doing so, the Oilers avoid mandatory COVID testing for air travel in the US. Driving across the border does not require a test. 1/2
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) 5 May 2022
The Maple Leafs took a bus to Buffalo this morning and will fly to Tampa Bay from there. No word on the Calgary Flames traveling to Dallas as both clubs prepare for Game 2. https://t.co/jL0HeyunzB
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) 5 May 2022
Since the United States requires mandatory COVID testing within 24 hours of flight for anyone flying into the US from Canada, teams are electing to cross the border by bus and then fly domestic.
This allows teams to avoid testing players and potentially losing anyone to a playoff game. Players will be forced to miss at least one game if they test positive.
Players flying from the US to Canada are not required to be tested before crossing the border, as long as they are fully vaccinated. This is why the Lightning, Kings and Stars did not cross the border when they traveled to Canada for the start of their first-round series against their Canadian opponents.
MORE: Playoff Schedule: Brackets, Date, Time, TV Channels for Each Series
This different travel scheme is not only limited to the playoffs, nor to hockey.
According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, this approach was used by NHL teams during the regular season.
This is not unique to the Stanley Cup playoffs. Teams took a similar approach during the regular season. https://t.co/07s6yBkF4q
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) 5 May 2022
In baseball, the Blue Jays are also using this method, as they consistently cross the border as the only Canadian team in MLB. They take the bus from Toronto to Buffalo, NY, a little over 90 minutes away, and then fly to their destination from Buffalo.
Teams returning from play in Toronto use the same travel plan. Incidentally, this scenario played out recently with the Blue Jays, Yankees and Lightning on the range at the same time.
Apparently the Buffalo Canada-US border was a busy place early this morning. a bus caravan consisting of #yankees, #neelkanth And #lightning All crossing into America.
— Rob Longley (@longleysunsport) 5 May 2022
Teams will continue to fly in the US to bypass the test requirement until all Canadian teams are eliminated from the playoffs if they are knocked out. The Canadiens made it to the Stanley Cup final last season. A Canadian team has not won the cup since Montreal won in 1993.
