From major division realignment, to a shortened schedule, the 2021 NHL season will be unlike any other in history. Due to lingering COVID-19 concerns, the NHL has abandoned the usual two-conference setup and realigned the four divisions. Based on geographic location, East, West and Central divisions each consist of eight teams based in the United States. The seven Canadian teams form the North Division. The regular season begins on January 13 and ends on May 8, 2021.
Teams in the East, West and Central divisions will play each other eight times. North Division teams will play each other either nine or 10 times.