For some Quebecers, watching the Montreal Canadiens in the Stanley Cup playoffs is more urgent than seeking medical care. Hospital officials in the Montreal area report a noticeable dip in emergency room visits during game nights, as many delay non-urgent care until after the final whistle.
Dr. Zackary Levine, chief of emergency medicine at McGill University Health Centre, says the pattern is clear: "People really want to watch the game. Perhaps people don’t mind missing work as much as they mind missing a playoff hockey game."
During the first-round series against Tampa Bay Lightning, occupancy rates at some of the city's busiest hospitals-including the Royal Victoria Hospital and Montreal General Hospital-dropped significantly. On May 1, the Montreal General Hospital reported a 135% occupancy rate compared to its average of 159%. At the Royal Victoria Hospital, the rate fell to 167% from 205%.
Provincial health agency Santé Québec confirmed a slight decrease in ER visits across multiple regions between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. on playoff game nights. The phenomenon also extends to ambulance calls, which tend to dip and then rise after the game.
However, not all hospitals see the same trend. Pediatric and maternity hospitals report no consistent correlation. At the Montreal Heart Institute, ER chief Dr. Audrey-Jane Hall warns of a roughly 20% increase in cardiac-related cases during playoff games, cautioning that the emotional highs and lows of hockey carry real risks.
Dr. Levine advises patients with non-urgent issues to consider clinics or Quebec's 811 health line before heading to the ER. "And if you’re partying, don’t drive," he adds.