How Is the NHL Schedule Developed and What Factors Influence Team Schedules?

The NHL season runs from October to April, with teams playing 82 games. After the regular season, top-placed teams advance to the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The league plans to revamp its schedule, creating more games between local rivals and easing travel demands for teams. The new 84-game sked will help promote regional competition and boost ticket sales.

Divisional alignments

The NHL is considering expanding its regular season from 82 games to 84 in order to create more regional rivalry matchups and ease travel demands. The move would mean each team plays their divisional opponents four or five times (26 or 29 games in the west, 28 in the east) and all non-divisional teams in their conference thrice.

The league also has to schedule each division’s best and worst teams a little bit differently to ensure fairness in the playoff brackets. That’s a lot of tinkering that goes on right to the final day when Hatze Petros announces the final schedule. He’s like a veteran winemaker, tweaking the recipe for different conditions. It’s a difficult job that he takes very seriously. He also visits each team in person, to give them an appreciation of what the process is all about. Some teams are adamant about wanting the schedule to go a certain way, but that usually isn’t ideal for the rest of the league. Check the timed schedule from our site ScheduleFul.

Inter-divisional matchups

Having more games in a season increases revenue through ticket sales, merchandise and television contracts. However, it can also devalue rivalries and dilute fan passion. It’s no wonder that the league is experimenting with new ways to schedule matches and reduce the number of back-to-backs.

Currently, each team plays four intra-divisional matchups against division rivals (two home, two away). They also play three games each against nondivisional teams within their conference and six inter-conference games. These matches are determined by a three-year rotating schedule.

A lot of human judgment still goes into the scheduling process, though. GMs look to slot high-profile games on national TV and try to avoid over-scheduling in other markets. Also, coaching changes and free-agent signings can change a team’s profile for the better or worse. This is why the NHL uses a computer program designed by British Columbia-based Optimal Planning Solutions to make its decisions. This software is tweaked throughout the season based on feedback from managers and other stakeholders.

Travel time

Travel time is a significant factor in the NHL scheduling process. The league attempts to balance teams and reduce back-to-back games, but it also has to consider TV contracts and arena capacities. This year, the NHL is experimenting with a staggered start time for some road games to give fans more flexibility and help reduce the amount of travel.

The NHL has been discussing expanding the regular season from 82 to 84 games in an effort to create more regional rivalry matchups. This change would increase the number of games between local rivals, such as Edmonton and Calgary. This would also increase ticket sales and create more revenue for teams.

The NHL has developed a scheduling formula that takes into account a variety of factors, including geographic disparity and travel costs. While it isn’t possible to please every team, the league tries hard to achieve a fair balance. Hatze Petros has been working on the schedule for over three decades and made a strong impression at a recent GMs meeting in Toronto.

Off-season events

The NHL has a complex season structure that includes the pre-season, regular season, and Stanley Cup playoffs. The regular season consists of 82 games that determine standings, and the top three teams in each division and two wild card teams from each conference qualify for the playoffs. The playoffs are best-of-seven series that culminate in a championship matchup.

One of the biggest challenges for schedule makers is working around other events at arenas that may compete with hockey games or place undue stress on the ice. The league starts collecting information from clubs in January and then creates a schedule that works around those events.

In addition to the league’s scheduling policy, there are other factors that can impact team trends. For example, a team’s road record can have a major impact on its overall record. Likewise, a team’s home record can influence the outcome of its game against a divisional rival. It’s important to follow these trends when betting on NHL games.