For the first time in almost 15 months, TD Garden will be truly rockin’ when the Bruins drop the puck on the second round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs, as the home of the Bruins will indeed be at ‘near full capacity’ beginning May 29.
“In accordance with City and State guidelines, the Boston Bruins will be permitted to return to near full capacity beginning on May 29, 2021,” the Bruins announced. “In accordance with NHL guidelines, all guests at TD Garden will continue to be required to wear masks and follow the ‘Play it Safe’ Protocols until further notice.”
What exactly ‘near full capacity’ means for the Bruins and TD Garden, which houses just under 18,000 at full capacity, remains to be seen. But examples around the NHL (and even within the sports world with the NBA playoffs increasing capacity in certain cities, including Boston), could be an indication as to where the Garden is leaning for an exact number.
Sticking within the NHL, Carolina’s PNC Arena has opened their doors to 12,000 fans, Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena welcomed 12,135 fans, and the Blues were allowed to open up their arena to 50 percent capacity prior to their sweep out of the first round. The idea that the Bruins are advertising this at ‘near full capacity’ would seemingly tell you that the Garden will be closer to Raleigh and Nashville’s 12,000-plus than the 9,000 welcomed to St. Louis’ Enterprise Center.
The Bruins, for what it’s worth, have been operating at 25 percent capacity (4,565) since May 10.
“Additional individual tickets for round two of the 2021 Boston Bruins Playoffs presented by DraftKings at TD Garden will go on sale starting Monday, May 24 for Bruins Season Ticket Holders, Game Plan Holders and Boston Garden Society Members,” the team’s announcement noted. “Boston Bruins Season Ticket Holders, Game Plan Holders and Boston Garden Society Members will receive an email with their specific on sale date and time.”
The Bruins will play either the New York Islanders or Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round of the playoffs. With the Pens and Isles tied at 2-2, that series is guaranteed to run through Wed., May 26 at the very least. The Bruins would have home-ice advantage should the Islanders eliminate the Penguins.
The Bruins are moving on to the second round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs after dispatching of the Washington Capitals in five games. Matt Dolloff and Ty Anderson of 98.5 The Sports Hub are here to break it down with another postgame podcast, which you can listen to above.
Ty Anderson is a writer and columnist for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Yell at him on Twitter: @_TyAnderson.