The NHL is Back

The NHL is back! At the same time, this season will have a completely different look for this year. Since Canada has travel restrictions; the NHL has set up four separate divisions. For instance, all teams in Canada will play each other. Meanwhile, all the other divisions have also changed.

With the divisions changing for the 2021 season; the season will be 56 games When the season begins; the division will be broken into the following.

In the Central Division, the teams that will play each other throughout the regular season are the following:

Carolina Hurricanes
Chicago Blackhawks
Columbus Blue Jackets
Dallas Stars
Detroit Red Wings
Florida Panthers
Nashville Predators

In the East Division, the teams that will play each other during the regular season are the following:

Boston Bruins
Buffalo Sabres
New Jersey Devils
New York Islanders
Philadelphia Flyers
New York Rangers
Pittsburgh Penguins
Washington Capitals

In the North Division, the teams that will play one another during the regular season are the following:

Calgary Flames
Edmonton Oilers
Montreal Canadians
Ottawa Senators
Toronto Maple Leafs
Vancouver Canucks
Winnipeg Jets

Finally, in the West Division, the teams that will face each other during the regular season are the following:

Anaheim Ducks
Arizona Coyotes
Colorado Avalanche
Los Angeles Kings
Minnesota Wild
San Jose Sharks
St Louis Blues
Vegas Golden Knights

How this Will Impact the Teams

Since some of these teams are rivals; they will face each other 8 times instead of 2 times. Moreover, some of the Canadian teams have rivals with some of the U.S. teams; and, this may impact people tuning in.

Because the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Bruins were competitive during the regular season; the change means they will no longer be playing each other during the regular season. And, since the Lightning won the Stanley Cup; this could be an exciting opportunity for some of the other teams to rise to the occasion. To read about the Lightning’s run in the playoffs; be sure to visit our Tampa Bay Lightning Wins the Stanley Cup post.

Since some of these teams fall into later time zones; will the fans want to tune into these late games? In essence, if a player changes divisions; they will no longer have to face their old team.

The NHL is Back – Playoffs

Due to the changes; the top 4 teams in each division will make the playoffs. Not only will the teams play each other during the regular season; but also the first two rounds of the playoffs will be played within the division.

In conclusion, how will this shortened season and the changes impact the regular season?