NHL, NHLPA formally approve 56-game season
The National Hockey League Players’ Association and National Hockey League have formally agreed to play a 2020-21 regular-season schedule of 56 games beginning Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021, the League and Players announced on Sunday.
As part of the agreement, the Stanley Cup Playoffs would feature 16 teams in the traditional best-of-seven, four-round format and conclude around mid-July.
The 2021-22 season will return to a "normal" hockey calendar with the regular season starting in October.
