The NHL 2021-22 season kicks off on October 12 as the ice hockey league returns to an 82 game schedule. The NHL season was altered and shortened last season due to the COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions.
Now, fans and punters will see the league return to the way it was pre-pandemic. The puck drops soon, so let’s look at the important dates, notes, and other factors in the build-up to the NHL 2021-22 season.
What’s new in the NHL 2021-22 season?
The biggest aspects to note ahead of the new season is:
- 82 game season
- the conferences have moved back to East and West
- Seattle Kraken will play its first season
Yes, the NHL season will return to an 82 game schedule. Last season’s hockey season didn’t begin until January, but this campaign will begin on October 12. After two seasons of disruptions, the NHL 2021-22 season will return the ice hockey season back to normal.
With the return of an 82 game schedule, the NHL has reverted to East and West Conferences. Canada-America cross-border travel restrictions have been reduced allowing for the realignment of the conferences and divisions.
As part of the realignment, the Seattle Kraken will join the Pacific Division while the Arizona Coyotes will move to the Central Division.
NHL 2021-22 season key dates
- Mid-Late September: Training camp begins
- Sept. 25: 2021 preseason begins
- Oct. 14: 2021-22 regular season begins
The NHL season will have a total of 1,312-game regular-season schedule and it will conclude on Friday, April 29. As it stands, the NHL will allow players to represent their Olympic teams in early 2022. There will be an Olympic break, but things could change due to the risk of COVID-19.
According to the NHL website,
“In the event NHL Players participate in the 2022 Winter Olympics, the NHL regular season will resume on Wednesday, Feb. 23. If, for whatever reason, there is no NHL Player participation in the Olympics, a revised Regular Season schedule will be released which, to the greatest extent possible, will adopt the dates and games reflected in the schedule contemplating Olympic participation.”
NHL 2021-22 favorite to win the Stanley Cup
According to NHL.com, the season will look as follows:
“Games Within Division
5 teams x 2 home / 2 away (Subtotal 10 home / 10 away)
1 team x 2 home / 1 away (Subtotal 2 home / 1 away)
1 team x 1 home / 2 away (Subtotal 1 home / 2 away)Games Within Conference (Non-Division)
4 teams x 2 home / 1 away (Subtotal 8 home / 4 away)
4 teams x 1 home / 2 away (Subtotal 4 home / 8 away)Non-Conference Games
16 teams x 1 home / 1 away (Subtotal 16 home / 16 away)
Grand Total – 82 Games
41 home / 41 away”
The Tampa Bay Lightning are two-time Stanley Cup winners. Despite winning the last two Stanley Cups, the Lightning are not the bookies’ favorite to win the Stanley Cup in 2022.
Instead of the Lightning, it is the Colorado Avalanche who are the favorite to win the Stanley Cup. Here are the odds as of August 30 according to Bovada:
Stanley Cup Odds
| Team | Current Odds |
|---|---|
| Colorado Avalanche | +500 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | +575 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | +700 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +1200 |
| Boston Bruins | +1300 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +1400 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | +1800 |
| Florida Panthers | +2000 |
| New York Islanders | +2000 |
| Minnesota Wild | +2200 |
| Edmonton Oilers | +2500 |
| New York Rangers | +2500 |
| Washington Capitals | +2500 |
| Montreal Canadiens | +2800 |
| Philadelphia Flyers | +3000 |
| Dallas Stars | +3500 |
| St. Louis Blues | +4000 |
| Winnipeg Jets | +4000 |
| Calgary Flames | +4500 |
| Seattle Kraken | +4500 |
| Chicago Blackhawks | +5000 |
| Vancouver Canucks | +5000 |
| Nashville Predators | +5500 |
| Los Angeles Kings | +6600 |
| New Jersey Devils | +6600 |
| San Jose Sharks | +8000 |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | +10000 |
| Ottawa Senators | +10000 |
| Arizona Coyotes | +15000 |
| Anaheim Ducks | +15000 |
| Detroit Red Wings | +20000 |
| Buffalo Sabres | +25000 |
Remember that all season long, you can get the latest picks at Zcode System. Our betting tips experts will help you make the best decisions on NHL betting for each game of the schedule. Zcode System also has the best tools on the Internet for NHL hockey betting. Join now and be sure to keep up to date with our Zcode System blog and YouTube channel for the latest picks.
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