Quebec officials permit Canadiens to play home games at Bell Centre

Quebec's public health department will allow the Montreal Canadiens to play home games at the Bell Centre this season, a spokesperson confirmed to The Canadian Press.

"The five provinces concerned and the Public Health Agency of Canada have made recommendations to the NHL teams for the resumption of their activities and the conduct of the 2021 season," said the spokesperson for Quebec's Health and Social Services Ministry. "We have accepted their revised protocol. We are in agreement with the start of training camp on Sunday and the return to play in mid-January, if all goes well."

British Columbia and Alberta have also green-lit home games for NHL teams in those provinces. Manitoba and Ontario haven't given official responses, leaving the Winnipeg Jets, Ottawa Senators, and Toronto Maple Leafs in limbo.

Training camps for all 31 teams are now open, and the regular season is scheduled to start on Jan. 13.

Montreal opens its 2021 campaign with a six-game road trip through Toronto, Edmonton, and Vancouver. The Habs won't play at home until Jan. 28.