Bleacher Report · Dec 16, 2022
NHL Rumors: 84-Game Schedule Discussed to Create More Regional Rivalry Games
The NHL has discussed expanding the regular season from 82 to 84 games, according to Greg Wyshynski of ESPN.
The change would allow for more rivalry games between divisional opponents while also limiting the imbalance under the current format.
With 82 games, each of the 32 teams plays twice against opponents in the other conference and three times against non-divisional opponents in the same conference. It leaves just 26 games for divisional matchups, meaning teams play some of their seven rivals three times and others four times.
Adding two games to the schedule would allow for 28 divisional battles per team, resulting in two home and two away games against each rival.