British Columbia allows Vancouver Canucks to play at home

Christopher Tanev #8 of the Vancouver Canucks congratulates goaltender Thatcher Demko #35 after the 4-0 win over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 6 of the NHL Western Conference Second-Round playoffs at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, September 3, 2020. /CFP

The NHL's Vancouver Canucks may be able to play at home in the coming new season as the team received provincial approval on Sunday to play in British Columbia (BC).

"After speaking with @fr_aquilini yesterday about the NHL's return-to-play plan, I'm pleased to confirm the enhanced health measures being put in place for the upcoming season mean games can safely be played here in BC," announced BC Premier John Horgan on Twitter.

Last week, Alberta officially approved NHL games, becoming the first Canadian province to do that. The Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers are from there. Meanwhile, a health official in Manitoba told The Canadian Press that the province was working to make NHL games happen in Winnipeg.

Sam Bennett #93 of the Calgary Flames skates in the game against the Edmonton Oilers at Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Canada, February 1, 2020. /CFP

Now that BC became the second province to allow NHL games, there are three teams – Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators – waiting in the cold. The two provinces they are from, Ontario and Quebec, have made no comment.

The new NHL season is starting on January 13. As a result of Canada's COVID-19 protocols, the league's seven Canadian teams would have to play in one division in the U.S. to finish the season. However, if Canadian provinces decide to allow competitions to happen at home, these teams, or at least some of them, will be able to play at true home arenas.

The first three games on the first day are: Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins, Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Chicago Blackhawks and Colorado Avalanche vs. St. Louis Blues.