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FILE - In this Feb. 24 2020, file photo, fans leave the Staples Center after a public memorial for former Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, in Los Angeles. Staple Center is one of the possible locations the NHL has zeroed in on to host playoff games if it can return amid the coronavirus pandemic. The league will ultimately decide on two or three locations for games, with government regulations, testing and COVID-19 frequency among the factors for the decision that should be coming within the next three to four weeks. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu, File)

NHL monitoring situation before choosing where to play games

By STEPHEN WHYNO - Associated Press

FILE - In this Jan. 24, 2015, file photo, NHL Player's Association executive director Donald Fehr, left, and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman are shown during a news conference at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The NHL is one step closer to returning. Commissioner Gary Bettman unveiled a 24-team straight to playoffs format the league will use if it can clear the other hurdles to resume its season. The announcement comes on the heels of the league and NHLPA issuing an extensive series of protocols once players are allowed to return to their facilities. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

‘A step toward normalcy’ - NHL shapes a return to play plan

By JOHN WAWROW and STEPHEN WHYNO - Associated Press

Pens F Bjugstad out for season after having spinal surgery

Associated Press

Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby (70) stops the puck next to Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Alex Killorn (17) during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) ** FILE **

Capitals restart explained: What to know following NHL return-to-play news

By Adam Zielonka - The Washington Times

Sharks look for rebound following rough 2019-20 season

By JOSH DUBOW - Associated Press

FILE - In this May 27, 2019, file photo, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman speaks to the media before Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals between the St. Louis Blues and the Boston Bruins, in Boston. The NHL is one step closer to returning. Bettman unveiled a 24-team straight to playoffs format the league will use if it can clear the other hurdles to resume its season. Under the plan approved last week by players and agreed to by the NHL, the top four teams in each conference will play for seeding while the other 16 face off in best-of-five series to determine the field to vie for the Stanley Cup .(AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

NHL moves ahead with 24-team playoff format if play resumes

By STEPHEN WHYNO and JOHN WAWROW - Associated Press

In this Dec. 14, 2019, file photo, Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin follows through on a shot against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Tampa, Fla. Possibly losing as many as 13 games with the NHL on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic could leave Ovechkin two short of another 50-goal season and threaten his ability to break Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) ** FILE **

Gary Bettman announces NHL restart plan; no dates, hub cities finalized

By Adam Zielonka - The Washington Times

In this Feb. 17, 2019, file photo, New Jersey Devils right wing Kurtis Gabriel works out prior to an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres in Newark, N.J. The NHL is hoping to move to Phase 2 of its return-to-play protocol, including the opening of practice facilities and allowing small group workouts, early next month.The league, which was forced to pause its season on March 12 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, released a 22-page memo detailing the plan Monday, May 25, 2020. The document stresses there's no exact date for the start of Phase 2 or a timetable for how long it will last. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File) **FILE**

The Latest: Iowa St AD sees football games with 30,000 fans

By The Associated Press - Associated Press

In this Feb. 17, 2019, file photo, New Jersey Devils right wing Kurtis Gabriel works out prior to an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres in Newark, N.J. The NHL is hoping to move to Phase 2 of its return-to-play protocol, including the opening of practice facilities and allowing small group workouts, early next month.The league, which was forced to pause its season on March 12 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, released a 22-page memo detailing the plan Monday, May 25, 2020. The document stresses there's no exact date for the start of Phase 2 or a timetable for how long it will last. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File) **FILE**

NJ Devils season comes to end as NHL plots playoff plan

By TOM CANAVAN - Associated Press

FILE - In this June 25, 2018, file photo, Buffalo Sabres general manager Jason Botterill addresses the media during an NHL news conference in Buffalo N.Y. Buffalo Botterill has ownership’s backing to return for a fourth season despite overseeing a team that extended its playoff drought to a ninth consecutive year, team president and co-owner Kim Pegula told The Associated Press on Tuesday, May 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes, File)

Kim Pegula to AP: Botterill returning as Sabres’ GM

By JOHN WAWROW - Associated Press

In this Feb. 17, 2019, file photo, New Jersey Devils right wing Kurtis Gabriel works out prior to an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres in Newark, N.J. The NHL is hoping to move to Phase 2 of its return-to-play protocol, including the opening of practice facilities and allowing small group workouts, early next month.The league, which was forced to pause its season on March 12 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, released a 22-page memo detailing the plan Monday, May 25, 2020. The document stresses there's no exact date for the start of Phase 2 or a timetable for how long it will last. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File) **FILE**

NHL plans move to small-group training as Phase 2 of return

Associated Press

Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis reacts as he takes part in a sendoff rally after an NHL hockey practice, Saturday, May 26, 2018, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) ** FILE **

Ted Leonsis floats ‘bubble’ for NBA, NHL seasons to resume

By Matthew Paras - The Washington Times

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin, right, of Russia, skates with the puck against Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Robert Hagg, left, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, March 4, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) ** FILE **

NHL working on 24-team playoff format to resume hockey season

By Adam Zielonka - The Washington Times

Anaheim Ducks ink Brendan Guhle, Sam Carrick to extensions

Associated Press

This is a March 12, 2020, file photo showing Capital One Arena, home of the Washington Capitals NHL hockey club in Washington. Get used to the concept of pods and pucks if the NHL is going to have any chance of completing its season, with the most likely scenarios calling for games in empty, air-conditioned arenas during the dog days of summer. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File) **FILE**

Mixed feelings around hockey about holding NHL draft early

By STEPHEN WHYNO - Associated Press

FILE - In this March 26, 2020, file photo, Jason Hackedorn looks into Progressive Field, home of the Cleveland Indians baseball team, in Cleveland. With the distinct possibility of pro sports resuming in empty venues, a recent poll suggests a majority of U.S. fans wouldn't feel safe attending games anyway without a coronavirus vaccine.(AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)

The Latest: 3 players on Brazilian soccer team test positive

By The Associated Press - Associated Press

Washington Capitals left wing Brendan Leipsic (28) and Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (8) compete for the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) ** FILE **

Brendan Leipsic apologizes as Capitals, NHL condemn sexist social media posts

By Adam Zielonka - The Washington Times

Panthers strike deal with 2018 draft pick Grigori Denisenko

By TIM REYNOLDS - Associated Press

Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby (70) bats away the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) ** FILE **

Braden Holtby taking it easy in quarantine, even with uncertain contract situation

By Adam Zielonka - The Washington Times

In this photo made from video, Minnesota Wild NHL hockey player Kevin Fiala speaks with reporters from his home in Sweden, Wednesday, April 29, 2020. Fiala's emergence as a go-to scorer before the NHL went on hiatus was the best part of the Minnesota Wild's season so far. Fiala had already set a career high with 31 assists and matched his career best with 23 goals before the schedule was halted by the virus outbreak. (Dave Campbell/Zoom via AP)

Wild will seek spark anew from surging Fiala when NHL’s back

By DAVE CAMPBELL - Associated Press