BUBBLE BOYS, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the 2019-2020 NHL season to pause on March 12, 2020. Almost four months later, the Panthers were one of 24 teams that qualified for expanded playoffs to take place in an NHL “bubble” in Canada. Strict health guidelines kept the team almost completely isolated from the outside world, but they were far more focused on hockey than on the inconveniences of bubble life. Jonathan Huberdeau said prior to the team’s relocation, “We’re excited. I think it’s a chance to be in the playoffs. We haven’t been in a while, so I think we’re mostly focused on the hockey stuff and what we’re going to do with that.”