NHL playoffs: Gary Bettman shares positives for fans watching at home

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Chirping has become a staple in hockey, so much so that over the past few seasons, the NHL has begun to mic up players as a fun way for fans to get even closer to their favorite teams. 

Now, with no fans in the stands as the 2019-20 Stanley Cup playoffs begin — there’s a chance to have that 24/7. 

The dynamic for this particular postseason has certainly been altered in many ways, the biggest being games are about to be played in front of empty seats. While it’ll be different to not watch the games in person, the league made sure to turn these negatives into positives for everyone tuning in. 

“The intention of what we’re trying to do is give the viewers at home a feeling of energy and excitement and doing a little technological dazzling,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Friday in an interview with NBC Sports' Liam McHugh.

“So when you tune in and you watch a game, you’re gonna have fun watching it and it’s not going to take away anything that’s going on on the ice. In the absence of fans — more cameras, more camera angles, more close shots and sounds of the game.” 

How can that not get you excited that hockey is finally back? 

Chirping aside, get ready to hear some of the best sounds in all of sports on a whole new level. You know the ones — perfect pass reception when the puck hits the stick, when a player is racing down the ice and stops abruptly, stick taps from players on the bench, the ‘ping’ of the puck off the post (hopefully for the opposing team) and much more. 

We’re about to embark on an experience like no other — and it starts today. 

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