Over four months after COVID-19 interrupted the NHL's 2019-20 regular-season schedule, the curtain is about to rise on the 24-team playoff tournament under Phase 4 of the league's return-to-play plan. Following exhibition games this week, the tournament begins on Aug. 1.
During the last two weeks, those teams completed the Phase 3 training camp period at their respective NHL cities. They followed strict league-mandated health and safety protocols, including frequent testing for COVID-19.
On Sunday, the clubs journeyed to their respective hub cities, with 12 Eastern Conference clubs in Toronto and 12 Western Conference teams in Edmonton.