Four years after the COVID-19 shutdown disrupted their scheduled game against the Dallas Stars on March 12, 2020, the Florida Panthers find themselves back in Dallas.
The NHL, along with other sports leagues, had suspended operations due to the rapidly spreading virus. This week, on the same date four years later, the Panthers resumed their activities in Dallas, reminiscent of the morning skate they had planned before the abrupt shutdown in 2020.
In the midst of heightened precautions in 2020, the Panthers had arrived in Dallas after a win in St. Louis. The NHL had already implemented measures to isolate players to some extent due to the virus threat.
Coach Joel Quenneville and players Chris Driedger, MacKenzie Weegar, and Sasha Barkov addressed the media in a unique setup, with a retractable belt separating reporters from the players against a backdrop, replacing the traditional locker room interviews.
As news broke about other sports leagues being impacted and games played in empty arenas, the sense of uncertainty and nervousness grew. The turning point came when the NBA suspended its season on March 11, prompting the NHL to advise clubs against conducting morning skates, practices, or team meetings on March 12, 2020.
Florida’s general manager, Dale Tallon, expressed concerns about the unfolding situation, foreseeing the challenges ahead. With the suspension becoming official, the Panthers, already in Dallas, had to adjust their plans and fly back to Fort Lauderdale much earlier than scheduled.
Given the uncertainty regarding next steps regarding the coronavirus, Clubs are advised not to conduct morning skates, practices or team meetings today.
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 12, 2020
Initially hopeful for a short hiatus, the NHL’s pause extended into months. Eventually, the league announced a return to play, leading to the Panthers participating in an extended postseason. However, their journey ended with a four-game loss to the Islanders in the Stanley Cup playoff qualifier.
Now, as the Panthers return to Dallas four years later, only two players from the original March 12, 2020 lineup, Barkov and Sergei Bobrovsky, are set to play, as Ekblad is sidelined due to injury. The return to Dallas marks a significant milestone for the Panthers, symbolizing their resilience and the challenges overcome since that fateful day in 2020.
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