NHL to Play, 56-Game Season, in 2021.
The NHL and its players have finally come to an agreement over the 2021 season.
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The NHL’s Board of Governors voted to approve the NHL Players’ Association-backed agreement on Sunday.
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The NHL will hold a 56-game season beginning January 13.
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The regular season is scheduled to run until May 8.
A 16-team playoff will follow and last into July with a Stanley Cup finale.
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In order to minimize travel and potential COVID-19 transmission, the league will operate in four divisions: North, South, East and West.
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Teams will play within their divisions through the first two rounds of playoffs.
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It is the current plan to play games in the home arenas of participating teams while understanding that most arenas will not, at least in the initial part of the season, be able to host fans.
, NHL, via statement.
Most NHL teams will open training camps starting January 3.
There will not be any exhibition games before the season.
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The players are pleased to have finalized agreements for the upcoming season, which will be unique but also very exciting … During these troubled times, we hope that NHL games will provide fans with some much-needed entertainment as the players return to the ice, NHLPA Executive Director Don Fehr, via AP News
