Playing 56 games this season should give the NHL extra time to navigate COVID-19GETTY IMAGES
The NHL is "better equipped than the NBA to handle what lies ahead" in a second season derailed by the coronavirus, as both leagues are "attempting something a bit more like business as usual, even without customers in many arenas," according to Tim Cowlishaw of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. NHL owners were "smarter to push forward with a shorter schedule." Down from the normal 82, the NHL is shooting for 56 games. In a season largely without gate revenues, this was an "opportunity to reduce the season, cut back on player injuries and the obvious risks the pandemic presents and play a season in which each game felt a bit more meaningful." The NHL "completely changed its setup for this season with four new divisions," and most teams "will benefit not only from shorter trips but from the back-to-backs they regularly play" against teams in their division. Cowlishaw: "That's a heck of a lot less travel than the NBA’s coast-to-coast schedule" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 1/14).
UNUSUAL SEASON: In Toronto, Don Brennan writes this NHL season "promises to be like no other," and "different even, than last year, which was the most unique time in league history" (TORONTO SUN, 1/14). In Winnipeg, Paul Friesen writes, "I’m not saying it’s wrong to drop the puck amidst all the upheaval." It just "feels really strange." Hockey is "supposed to be our national distraction, if not obsession." But it "will take a lot more" to get many "brains off the chaos." It is "one eye on the scoreboard, one on the COVID counts" (WINNIPEG SUN, 1/14).
