Blackhawks activate Marc-Andre Fleury from COVID protocol

A smiling face is back on the Chicago Blackhawks’ active roster, as the team activated goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury from the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol this morning, per a team tweet.

Fleury’s return is a byproduct of the new, shortened COVID-19 quarantine requirements. Fleury was placed in the protocol on December 27, so he’s now eligible to return only five days after entering.

Arvid Soderblom will get the start for Chicago in goal today, but Fleury will return to the lineup and will be the backup for their game against Calgary.

Fleury’s rebounded nicely from what was a horrid start to the season by his standards, working his way back up to a .913 save percentage through 20 games. The Blackhawks hope his return to the room can help steady a team that was thrashed during a 6-1 loss to Nashville yesterday.