It has been about three months since the National Hockey League (NHL), along with nearly every other sports league in the U.S., has paused their season amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
While professional sports leagues are still on hold, some are attempting to return to play soon, including the NHL. Earlier this month, the NHL launched “Phase 2” of its Return to Play Plan, which allowed teams to reopen their training facilities with some restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Under Phase 2 restrictions, a maximum of six players can train on the ice at a given time, on-ice sessions are restricted to players, and players must wear face coverings except when working out or on the ice, according to ESPN.
In addition, players must undergo COVID-19 tests before they may use their facility. Participation among players, staff and coaches is voluntary.
“It was nice to just get back in there,” said New York Islanders forward Josh Bailey to ESPN.
“It’s a familiar place for us and nice to get back on the ice, too. It’s obviously been a while and we’re comfortable out there, so it was nice to feel the puck. We didn’t go too crazy on Day 1, but nonetheless it was fun to get out there.”
The NHL announced that team training camps will open on July 10, formally kicking off Phase 3 of the Return to Play Plan. Camps are expected to last a few weeks before the beginning of Phase 4, which will start the 24-team playoff format.
The NHL’s new playoff format will begin with a round-robin style series to determine First Round seeding for the four top teams in the Eastern Conference (Boston, Tampa Bay, Washington, Philadelphia) and the Western Conference (St. Louis, Colorado, Vegas, Dallas), per NBC Sports.
The remaining eight teams from each conference will compete in a best-of-five qualifying series to determine who advances to the First Round. The format for rounds one and two are to be determined, while the conference final and Stanley Cup Final series are going to be the traditional best-of-seven format.
