NHL Expands Regular Season to 84 Games

The NHL is expanding its regular season from 82 to 84 games per team, the first such schedule since 1994 and only the second in league history. The 32-team season will feature a record 1,344 games under the collective bargaining agreement that runs through 2030, a change league officials see as a source of growth. The longer schedule means shorter training camps and fewer exhibition games, and could affect player workloads, team goaltending strategies and statistical records. The season opens September 29 and runs through April 10, with games scheduled on all but two days outside the Christmas and All-Star breaks.