Fans back in time for Canadiens’ home game against Maple Leafs

While fans are returning in droves to sporting events in the United States, athletes in Canada are just starting to take their first steps toward competing in front of small crowds because of COVID-19 restrictions.

When the Toronto Maple Leafs play the Canadiens in Game 6 of their openinground series in Montreal tonight, some 2,500 fans will be allowed to attend after Quebec loosened its rules.

It will mark the first crowd at an NHL game in Canada since March 2020, a welcome change if a far cry from the scenes in the U.S., where more than 14,000 have attended playoff games in the NHL.

Winnipeg defenseman Dylan DeMelo said playing in empty arenas was hard during the regular season, and it’s tougher in the playoffs.

“I think it’s hard to see watching the other teams

play, especially in the U.S. where they’ve basically got full barns or at least a lot of fans,” he said. “Those games are a lot more fun to watch than games without any fans in the building.”

Canadiens forward Tyler Toffoli said the chance to play in front of fans in a potential elimination game will motivate the team, which lost three straight before forcing Game 6.

“We’ve definitely missed it this year the entire season,” he said. “To get the opportunity to play in front of even the small amount that’s going to be allowed is huge and will be a lot of fun.” RESILIENT HURRICANES

PUSH THROUGH OT-HEAVY SERIES >> The Carolina Hurricanes advanced through a tough first-round series against Nashville, earning a second-round matchup with reigning Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay.

The Hurricanes beat the Predators 4-3 in overtime late Thursday to close the best-of-7 series in six games. That came after they rallied from a two-goal deficit while playing a fourth consecutive game that extended past regulation time.

The Hurricanes will have home-ice advantage against the Lightning, and they’ll have even more rowdy fans. The team announced that the NHL had granted approval for PNC Arena to host an increased capacity of more than 15,000 fans, up from about 12,000 against the Predators.