How many games in an NHL season? (regular season, playoffs, and preseason)
Updated · Tested by DailyStash editors
Regular season
82 games per team. The schedule is split roughly by division rivalries, conference matchups, and inter-conference play so every fanbase sees every team at least once every couple of seasons.
Playoffs
16 teams — 8 from each conference — enter a bracket. Every round is best-of-seven. Minimum 60 playoff games league-wide (if every series sweeps); maximum 105 if every series goes seven.
Preseason
Each team plays roughly 6-8 preseason games in late September. These don't count in the standings; coaches use them to evaluate prospects and dial in line combinations.
Has the count always been 82?
No — the league played 80 games from 1974 to 1995, then bumped to 82. Shortened seasons happened in 1994-95, 2012-13, and 2019-20 due to lockouts and the COVID pandemic.
NHL season length FAQ
How many games do NHL teams play in a season?
Each of the 32 NHL teams plays 82 regular-season games — 41 at home, 41 on the road. The schedule runs from early October to mid-April. That works out to 1,312 regular-season games league-wide.
How many games are in the NHL playoffs?
The playoffs are a 16-team, four-round bracket, best-of-seven at every round. Minimum 60 games, maximum 105. The Stanley Cup Final is the fourth and last round.
Does the NHL have a preseason?
Yes. Each team plays roughly 6-8 preseason games in late September against nearby rivals. Preseason games don't count in the standings and often feature rookies and prospects rather than full lineups.
Has the NHL always played 82 games?
No. The league moved to 80 games in 1974, then to 82 in 1995 where it's stayed. Shortened seasons in 1994-95, 2012-13 and 2019-20 dropped the count temporarily due to lockouts or COVID.