Washington Capitals players are one step closer to getting back on the ice in DC.

Tuesday afternoon, MedStar Capitals Iceplex announced to their followers that, “We are thrilled to announce we are planning on entering Phase 2 this weekend!”

The Capitals have yet to comment publicly. On Friday, Nothern Virginia, where the team’s practice facility is located, will enter Phase 2 of the state’s recovery plan.

#BREAKING Northern Virginia can enter Phase 2 of reopening starting this Friday, Gov. Northam says. Here's what you need to know ⬇️ https://t.co/1yjVHftsuR #coronavirus #covid19 @Wusa9

— Annie Yu (@AnnieYuTV) June 9, 2020

So far, the Caps are one of many NHL teams who have been unable to re-open their training facilities for on and off-ice work. The NHL allowed teams to return to their facilities and begin having small group activities on Monday if they had the ability to do so.

The Washington Capitals have not set their start date for Phase 2. More information will be shared when available. https://t.co/vg0WZjWeDo

— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) June 5, 2020

The NHL wrote:

Beginning June 8 – subject to each Club’s satisfaction of all of the requirements set out in the Phase 2 Protocol – Clubs will be permitted to reopen their training facilities in their home city to allow players to participate in individualized training activities (off-ice and on-ice). Players will be participating on a voluntary basis and will be scheduled to small groups (i.e., a maximum of six Players at any one time, plus a limited number of Club staff). The various measures set out in the Phase 2 Protocol are intended to provide players with a safe and controlled environment in which to resume their conditioning. Phase 2 is not a substitute for training camp.

According to Brian MacLellan, six Capitals players remained in the area during the pandemic including stars Braden Holtby and John Carlson. Most others have begun ramping up their training in their home countries.

New ice was laid down at MedStar Capitals Iceplex before Memorial Day weekend at the end of May.

Phase 3, which will include team training camps where all players report, is likely to start sometime in mid-July.

Headline photo courtesy of @medstarcapitalsiceplex