Ontario gives Sens, Leafs the green light to play at home

The Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs were officially given the green light to play their games at the Canadian Tire Centre and Scotiabank Arena respectively this season when the province signed off on the health and safety protocols put in place by the two teams.

Lisa MacLeod, provincial minister of heritage, sport, tourism and culture, confirmed in a tweet on Thursday afternoon that the chief medical officer of the province and local health authorities have officially signed off on the plan to allow both teams to play in empty arenas.

Yes, the NHL head office felt it had an agreement with all five provinces on Christmas Eve, but the paperwork had to be put in place by everybody before it was official. It means the Senators and Leafs will face off in Round 1 of the Battle of Ontario next Friday night in Ottawa.

“The approval was granted after close scrutiny of the rigorous health and safety protocols that will be adopted to keep players, staff and our communities safe from the spread of COVID-19 while permitting Ontario's NHL teams to play the game we all love to watch,” MacLeod, a Nepean MPP, said in a statement.

MacLeod said she worked closely with Senators president of business operations Anthony LeBlanc and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment executive Nick Eaves to create a plan to satisfy health authorities.

The expectation is there won't be any fans this season.

The Senators and Leafs will use their social media channels to push out messaging on COVID-19.

As the Senators prepare for the season at training camp, club officials are making sure they're following all protocols to try to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The Senators players wear masks around the dressing room and have been told to stay out of public places as much as possible.

TRYING TO STICK

Christian Wolanin is trying to establish himself as a regular defenceman.

The club will likely keep eight blueliners and it makes sense to start the year that way, but he has the opportunity to suit up every night if he can impress.

The 25-year-old Wolanin missed most of last year because of shoulder surgery and didn't get the chance to suit up for Belleville in the AHL playoffs. Smith likes Wolanin and what he brings to the table.

“He's an offensive defenceman, he skates very well, he runs the power play very well, and shoots it. He can break the puck out,” said Smith.

“Like a lot of young defencemen, the issue is defending in the NHL. It's hard to tell without exhibition games. He's playing against guys in practice every day, but you're not caught out there against another team's top line to see how you play under pressure.”

THE LAST WORDS

OK, so there's defenceman Josh Brown along with forwards Logan Brown and Connor Brown. To set the record straight, Connor says he's already claimed the nickname “Brownie” ... Goaltender Filip Gustavsson, who played in Sweden while waiting for the year to begin, has been sidelined with an illness.