How many games are on the NHL schedule?
By Nate Duffett
The NHL plays an 82-game regular season, where they play all other 31 teams at least twice and their division rivals more often. The Canadiens play in the Atlantic Division, so out of their five division rivals, they'll play five teams four times and two teams three times.
The teams they play against three times will be one home game and two road games. For the other team, it'll be switched with two home games and one road game. Here's an example of how it would look. Note: This doesnt't reflec this year's schedule.
- Two home games and two road games vs. Toronto, Florida, Tampa Bay, Boston, and Detroit
- Two home games and one road game vs. Buffalo
- One home game and two road games vs. Ottawa
The team other eight teams in their conference are from the Metropolitan Division. They'll play these teams three times each. The schedule is unbalanced, so they'll play four teams at home two times, and the other three at home just once.
- Two home games and one road game vs. Columbus, New York Rangers, Philadelphia, New Jersey
- One home game and two road games vs. Carolina, Pittsburgh, New York Islanders, Washington
The Canadiens will play the Western Conference for two games each, one at home and one on the road.
- One home and one road game vs. Vegas, Vancouver, Seattle, San Jose, Los Angeles, Edmonton, Calgary, Anaheim, Chicago, Colorado, Dallas, Minnesota, Nashville, St. Louis, Utah, and Winnipeg.
The NHL's decision to play less rivalry games in favor of getting every team in every stadium was a controversial decision. However, without this rule change, Habs fans may have had to wait years to see Western Conference superstars like Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon play at the Bell Centre.
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