Hedman before Stanley Cup: "Will be different"

The NHL made it clear last week that without an audience, the Stanley Cup playoffs will be an event optimized for TV viewers.

With recorded cheers, match-like background sounds from the video game giant EA Sports and more camera angles than what the TV production normally offers, the idea is that fans should be offered a packed experience at home on the couch.

There is not much that will be the same when the world's best hockey team is finally allowed to play matches again after a break of almost five months.

- It will be a big challenge and it will be different compared to how it has been before. But we will go out on the ice, do our best and try to win the cup, says Victor Hedman in a press conference on video link.

24 teams - instead of 16 - are making up for the legendary dent this summer. The eight worst in each conference make it to the Stanley Cup playoffs. The matches are played in the best of five and start on Saturday, August 1.

At the same time, the seeding qualifier starts for the playoffs where Victor Hedman's Tampa Bay will face Philadelphia, Boston and Washington. Then they get to know which team they will face in the quarterfinals.

But before the seriousness begins, all teams should have the chance to warm up in training matches spread Tuesday-Thursday.

- We have to be ready right from the start when the training matches start, says Hedman, who on Wednesday is rehearsing against Florida with his Tampa.

The Swede, who was again nominated for the Norris Trophy this week (the prize for the best defender in the regular season), is not so sure that his team will benefit from the playoff experience gained in recent years, given the different circumstances.

- I hope it can help us, but it's like a new season. It's been over four months since we last played.

However, Hedman himself stayed at home for "personal reasons" when the rest of the team traveled to Toronto on Sunday.

Hedman will meanwhile train with the team's fitness coach and the two will later travel together to Toronto where Tampa will play the playoffs.

"Victor will be available for the three seeding matches and will receive a few days of training before them as well," said Julien BriseBois according to the club's website.

For his part, the 29-year-old, just like other players in Edmonton and Toronto, will be forced to get used to a life in an isolated bubble and daily testing for covid-19. The hotels (three in Edmonton and two in Toronto) are separate from the rest of the public and over 200 guards will be responsible for ensuring that players do not come into contact with people outside the so-called security zones.

- Everyone is in the same boat and must prepare in the same way for this playoffs. It's a different format, but we all compete for the same thing. To win the trophy, says Hedman.