from David Waldstein of the New York Times,
There are many issues, some complicated, that need to be settled over the next several weeks to yield a 24-team, two-city hockey extravaganza that in its early stages would see up to three games played per day in a single arena, much like in the Olympics or the N.C.A.A. tournament.
But the most important step the N.H.L. must confront to move forward is the same one that daunts the rest of the United States — figuring out how to execute a coronavirus testing protocol for players, staff and family members.
The N.H.L.’s complex plan to end its regular season and jump into a 24-team playoff became necessary months ago when hockey, and most sports, were forced to shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic. Resuming play could mean testing each player every night, expediting the results to be delivered in the mornings before players and staff head to arenas for games or practices. Gary Bettman, the N.H.L. commissioner, said in a news conference on Tuesday that by the end of the Stanley Cup finals the league will have administered 25,000 to 30,000 tests under the guidelines outlined in a memo on Monday.
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