Habs’ head coach Ducharme forced into isolation hours before Game 3

The Montreal Canadiens are getting ready for Game 3 tonight at the Bell Center, however, this is a feeling of worry in the air with this breaking news. 

It has been announced that head coach Dominique Ducharme had some irregularities on a covid test and is not available for his morning press conference. He has been sent home to isolate as he awaits further tests later today. 

There is no additional information on what could happen if Ducharme cannot be behind the bench for Game 3 tonight against the Vega Golden Knights for the semi finals of the Stanley Cup playoffs. As of now, we awaited the results of further testings. The game is set for 8ETpm tonight. 

According to Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports, Ducharme is fully vaccinated. He received both doses of the Covid vaccine, and the Canadiens were strictly bubbled in Las Vegas, permitted to be only in their hotel and the rink. Fans hope it will be that it is a false positive for him.

The series is now tied at a game apiece, and the Habs hold home-ice advantage in what becomes a best-of-five, with Game 3 set to go in front of a crowd of 3,500 at the Bell Centre.

The Quebec government allowed more fans for this round as the Habs managed to get 2500 fans in the Bell Center in the first and second rounds of the postseason. This went up to an additional 1000 fans in the building, meaning 3500 fans will attend home contests for Game 3 and Game 4. 

The same amount of fans will be allowed at the Bell Center for Game 6 if the series needs it. 

In Sin City, the crowd has been huge and loud and it was certainly a shock for the Habs’ players, who travelled to the States for the first time since March 2020, to see so many fans in the building. Premier François Legault has said Canadiens players told him they don’t want to be at a disadvantage, considering Vegas has been playing in a full arena.