Friday Habs Headlines: How the team is trying to bring the fans’ passion into the bubble

Montreal Canadiens news and notes

• Fans won’t be allowed physically in the arena, but the Canadiens organization is exploring ways to bring them inside the bubble. [Sportsnet]
• The Habs are using video games as a way to pass the time. [Montreal Gazette]
• Andrew Shaw says that Francophone fans are too hard on Francophone players. [TVA]
• Heading to the penalty kill will be tantamount to playing with fire for the Canadiens. [Journal de Montreal]
• Five observations from the first extensive look at the Habs’ special teams. [The Athletic]
• Pittsburgh Penguins General Manager Jim Rutherford expects Matt Murray will start for the Pens against the Habs. [The Athletic]
• A skilled, speedy winger, a two-way centre, and a goal-scoring grinder type with hands. It worked in Boston, and now Claude Julien is trying to replicate it in Montreal. [The Athletic]

Around the league and elsewhere

• It’s official: Seattle releases the Kraken. [TSN | The Athletic]
• How did Seattle keep the name under wraps? [The Athletic]
• If the new Seattle franchise is looking for an example to emulate, they need look no further than the Vegas Golden Knights. [TSN]
• Highlighting the outlier stats that may (or may not) determine each qualifying round series. [Sportsnet]
• What can players expect once they arrive in Toronto? [The Athletic]
• Jayce Hawryluk of the Ottawa Senators talks about contracting Covid-19 and why he disclosed his positive diagnosis. [The Athletic]
• Combat sports are banned in Quebec, but that does not extend to hockey fights. [Journal de Montreal]
• Ten people we are rooting for when the NHL comes back. [ESPN]