Multiple reports have noted that the NHL wants to return play and finish the regular season. Rumours suggest they would aligned by division, so the Toronto Maple Leafs would be a perfect host-city for the Atlantic Division.
Included as front-runners thus far, are the Carolina Hurricanes, Edmonton Oilers and Minnesota Wild for three of the four divisions. However, the Atlantic Division has yet to have a favorite emerge.
So, why not Toronto?
In terms of COVID-19 cases, let’s compare the teams in the Atlantic Division (as of April 23rd, 2020):
- New York (Buffalo Sabres) – 263,460 cases
- Massachusetts (Boston Bruins) – 46,023 cases
- Michigan (Detroit Red Wings) – 35,291 cases
- Florida (Tampa Bay Lightning & Florida Panthers)– 27,869 cases,
- Quebec (Montreal Canadiens) – 21,838 cases
- Ontario (Toronto Maple Leafs & Ottawa Senators) – 12,879 cases
As you can see, Ontario has the least amount of cases by any other state or province.