Edmonton Oilers opt to bus over the border to avoid COVID-19 testing

The Edmonton Oilers took the long way to get to L.A. ahead of Game 3 in their first-round playoff series against the Kings.

Instead of taking a charter flight directly to Los Angeles, the club opted to fly to Vancouver after their Game 2 win on Wednesday, spend the night in a hotel, then bus over the border on Thursday morning before flying from Bellingham, Wash., to California.

The unique journey allowed the team to avoid COVID-19 testing before entering the U.S.

Current restrictions require people entering the States via air to provide a negative COVID-19 test, something not required at a land border crossing.

Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft said the longer travel day was the smartest move for his group and that players were involved in choosing the itinerary.

"I think what you want to do is you want to make the best decision possible for your group and was one that we gave a lot of thought to," he said Friday night after the team arrived at its hotel in downtown L.A. "It was executed excellently today and we're getting ready for Game 3 tomorrow."

The team has not decided whether it would make the same journey if the series returns to California for a Game 6. The best-of-seven matchup is currently tied at 1-1.

Edmonton isn't the only pro sports team choosing to bus over the border amid the current COVID rules.

During their first-round NBA playoff series against the Toronto Raptors, the 76ers bused to Buffalo, N.Y., before continuing on to Philadelphia.

The Red Sox reportedly returned to Boston via bus after a four-game series against the Blue Jays at the end of April.

Other NHL teams are believed to have travelled to Bellingham following games in Vancouver near the end of the NHL's regular season.

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