Blackhawks: Phase 2 of return to play plan begins Monday

Phase 2 of the NHL return to play plan begins on Monday. This gives the Chicago Blackhawks a chance to start working out again with small groups one at a time.

With the Chicago Blackhawks finally getting time back with teammates after a long layoff, this is their chance to start building chemistry again for the playoffs. Phase 2 will have small groups of players working together, with no more than six players at a time, which will give great one-on-one time to improve.

This can be used to have separate lines work together, with defense being involved and a goalie, giving them six players to work with at a certain time. The unfortunate thing for fans is, this isn’t a training camp. It’s a plan to get players back skating and working out again.

There will be both on-ice and off-ice workouts for the players, helping each player to get back into prime shape for training camp in a month. This is something that will help the Blackhawks if anything. It gives their injured players more time to ease into things.

The last part of the news on the NHL return is the playoff format is all planned out now. The qualifying round will be a best-of-five, with the rest of the rounds being best-of-seven.

Hockey is slowly returning, something we all could use after a long pandemic with little to no sports being around. I’m just excited for the NHL ratings to do well, it’ll show Max Kellerman that more than just 20,000 people per city care about hockey.