Canadiens approved for home games during pandemic

MONTREAL » The Montreal Canadiens will be able to play home games despite the Quebec government’s imposition of a curfew aimed at curbing COVID-19 in the province.

There will be no fans at games. Players and personnel will be tested daily and they are not allowed to visit other people when off the ice.

Premier Francois Legault said the measures will take effect Saturday and remain in place until at least Feb. 8.

“I think Quebecers want . . . to see hockey games,” he said at a news conference Wednesday night. “It’s done completely safely, and they have the means to pay for that safety.”

The Canadiens began training camp at the Bell Sports Complex in Brossard, Quebec, on Sunday and open their season Wednesday against the Maple Leafs in Toronto. After playing their first six games on the road, their first home game at the Bell Centre is Jan. 28 against the Calgary Flames.

Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia have given the green light for their NHL teams to play home games during the pandemic.

Defenseman Vatanen re-signs with Devils

NEWARK,N.J.» The New Jersey Devils have re-signed defenseman Sami Vatanen less than a year after trading him to Carolina. The Devils announced the free agent was given a one-year, $2 million contract.

“He’s highly competitive,” coach Lindy Ruff said after practice. “He’s another veteran we can put inside our dressing room who knows how to play the game the right way.”

Vatanen previously played parts of three seasons with the Devils (201720). In 154 games with New Jersey, he scored 12 goals and 56 assists for 68 points while adding 76 penalty minutes. He had five goals and 18 assists in 47 games before being dealt to the Hurricanes at the trade deadline.