Number Of Games In Hockey Season
If you’re a fan of hockey, you may be wondering how long the season lasts and how many games are played. The answer to this question largely depends on the league in question, but this article will provide an overview of the most popular hockey leagues in the United States and Canada.
National Hockey League (NHL)
The National Hockey League (NHL) is the premier professional hockey league in North America. The NHL season typically starts in early October and runs through early April. During this time, each of the 31 NHL teams plays 82 games – 41 at home and 41 on the road.
After the regular season, the top eight teams from each conference advance to the playoffs, which consist of four rounds of best-of-seven series. The playoffs typically start in early April and culminate with the Stanley Cup Final in early June.
American Hockey League (AHL)
The American Hockey League (AHL) is the primary development league for the NHL. The AHL season follows a similar schedule to the NHL, with games starting in early October and continuing through early April. During this time, each of the 31 AHL teams plays 76 games – 38 at home and 38 on the road.
After the regular season, the top four teams from each division advance to the playoffs, which consist of four rounds of best-of-five series. The playoffs typically start in late April and conclude with the Calder Cup Final in early June.
East Coast Hockey League (ECHL)
The East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) is a minor professional hockey league that serves as a feeder league for the AHL. The ECHL season typically starts in early October and runs through early April. During this time, each of the 26 ECHL teams plays 72 games – 36 at home and 36 on the road.
After the regular season, the top four teams from each division advance to the playoffs, which consist of four rounds of best-of-seven series. The playoffs typically start in late April and conclude with the Kelly Cup Final in early June.
Canadian Hockey League (CHL)
The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is a junior hockey league that consists of three member leagues – the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), the Western Hockey League (WHL), and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Each of these leagues operates independently but competes for a national championship known as the Memorial Cup.
The OHL, WHL, and QMJHL seasons typically start in late September and run through late March. During this time, each team plays 68 games – 34 at home and 34 on the road. After the regular season, the top eight teams from each league advance to the playoffs, which consist of four rounds of best-of-seven series. The playoffs typically start in late March and conclude with the Memorial Cup Final in late May.
Conclusion
In summary, the number of games in a hockey season varies depending on the league in question. The NHL and AHL each play 76-82 games per season, while the ECHL plays 72 games per season. Junior leagues such as the OHL, WHL, and QMJHL play 68 games per season.
Regardless of the league, however, hockey fans have plenty of exciting games to look forward to each year. With a mix of regular-season matchups and playoffs, there is no shortage of action on the ice.
