"This was, in the consummate team sport, the consummate team effort," Commissioner Bettman said Saturday prior to Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Dallas Stars. "I'm grateful for everybody who participated."
Game 1 was the 70th game played in Rogers Place in Edmonton since the NHL returned to play Aug. 1 after pausing the season March 12 because of concerns surrounding the coronavirus.
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There were 55 games played in Toronto before Edmonton became the hub city for the conference finals and Stanley Cup Final.
Commissioner Bettman said the NHL administered more than 31,000 COVID-19 tests without a single positive result.
"There are no victory laps," he said. "We want to get through the Stanley Cup Final in as good a shape as we've been able to do to date, and that's not something we take for granted."
Commissioner Bettman used the beginning his remarks, prior to fielding questions from the media, to acknowledge all the groups who have been part of the effort of devising the NHL Return to Play Plan and enacting it.
He started with the players, praising their professionalism, staying in shape throughout the pause in the season and adhering to the health and safety protocols the NHL put in place, which showed their desire and dedication to complete this season.
"From the moment we began discussion [of] a way to get our game back up and running, the players have been not just essential partners in the operation, but in many ways the drivers and inspiration for what we ultimately put in place," Commissioner Bettman said. "Their passion for our game and its traditions never were more evident than when we were concerned about how much time they'd have to spend away from their families in the bubble. We presented options that shortened the lengths of the series in the first two rounds. No, they overwhelmingly said, if we're going to play for the Stanley Cup then our winner must run the full gauntlet. Our players were steadfast that all four rounds should be best-of-7."
Commissioner Bettman also praised the players for how they stepped up and united in the cause to create social change and fight against social injustice.
He credited Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba for his speech on the first night of the postseason, and mentioned Vegas Golden Knights forward Ryan Reaves and Lightning defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk as driving forces behind the players forcing the NHL to postpone four playoff games scheduled for Aug. 27 and 28 as a form of protest against systemic racism and police brutality.
"When societal events called upon them to step out of their comfort zones and the pure focus on the playoffs they did so genuinely and courageously," Commissioner Bettman said.
Commissioner Bettman also credited Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly for devising and approving every detail of the NHL Return to Play Plan and the hockey operations department for making sure all efforts around the games and practices were up to League standards.
Commissioner Bettman praised the NHL events department, led by chief content officer Steve Mayer, for creating the Edmonton and Toronto bubbles and making the broadcasts of the games visually appealing.
"They arrived in our hub cities two weeks before anyone else," Commissioner Bettman said. "Their dedication and stamina and willingness to be isolated from family and friends for up to three months has been nothing short of remarkable. We are grateful for all they have done."
He also thanked the Canadian government and provincial governments of Ontario and Alberta for working with the NHL to allow the games to be played, credited the ownership and executive groups from the Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs for their assistance, praised the work done by broadcast partners NBC in the United States and Rogers Sportsnet and TVA in Canada, and acknowledged the unselfishness of the Board of Governors.
Finally, Commissioner Bettman praised the Stars and Lightning for getting to the Stanley Cup Final.
"Making it to the Stanley Cup Final in any year is a test of will, endurance and skill unmatched in all of sports," he said. "Doing it this year and ultimately winning the Stanley Cup might just be the most remarkable achievement in the history of our league."
