Finally, it’s official.
After weeks and months of reports and rumours, the NHL has announced that it will indeed return this summer, revealing a schedule of games that begin August 1.
The NHL and NHLPA have ratified a four-year extension of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, ensuring labour peace until at least 2026 and a return to the next two Olympic Games.
NHL and NHLPA ratify four-year CBA extension and Return to Play Plan. #StanleyCup Qualifiers to begin August 1. https://t.co/IErZJ2hifT pic.twitter.com/f5HgirRFLB
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) July 10, 2020
The two hub cities will indeed be Toronto for Eastern Conference teams and Edmonton for the participating teams in the West. Teams will arrive to both hubs on July 26, with exhibition games taking place July 28-30.
Qualifying round games will run from August 1-9, prior to the start of the first round of the traditional 16-team Stanley Cup playoffs on August 11. The Stanley Cup Final will begin on September 22.
Training camp begins on Monday in each team’s home city.
All the key dates from Training Camp to the 2020 NHL Draft. https://t.co/IErZJ2hifT pic.twitter.com/gRlxklXNml
ā NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) July 10, 2020
“Today, the NHL and the NHLPA announced a significant agreement that addresses the uncertainty everyone is dealing with, the framework for the completion of the 2019-20 season and the foundation for the continued long-term growth of our league,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a media release. “We know that all our fans are excited about our return to the ice next month and that has been our goal since we paused our season on March 12.”
Here’s a look at the qualifying-round schedule, which features eight best-of-five series, as well as a round robin between the top four teams in each conference.
Qualifying round schedule
Eastern Conference
Pittsburgh Penguins (5) vs Montreal Canadiens (12)
- Game 1: August 1
- Game 2: August 3
- Game 3: August 5
- Game 4*: August 7
- Game 5*: August 8
Carolina Hurricanes (6) vs New York Rangers (11)
- Game 1: August 1
- Game 2: August 3
- Game 3: August 4
- Game 4*: August 6
- Game 5*: August 8
New York Islanders (7) vs Florida Panthers (10)
- Game 1: August 1
- Game 2: August 4
- Game 3: August 5
- Game 4*: August 7
- Game 5*: August 9
Toronto Maple Leafs (8) vs Columbus Blue Jackets (9)
- Game 1: August 2
- Game 2: August 4
- Game 3: August 6
- Game 4*: August 7
- Game 5*: August 9
Western Conference
Edmonton Oilers (5) vs Chicago Blackhawks (12)
- Game 1: August 1
- Game 2: August 3
- Game 3: August 5
- Game 4*: August 7
- Game 5*: August 8
Nashville Predators (6) vs Arizona Coyotes (11)
- Game 1: August 2
- Game 2: August 4
- Game 3: August 5
- Game 4*: August 7
- Game 5*: August 9
Vancouver Canucks (7) vs Minnesota Wild (10)
- Game 1: August 2
- Game 2: August 4
- Game 3: August 6
- Game 4*: August 7
- Game 5*: August 9
Calgary Flames (8) vs Winnipeg Jets (9)
- Game 1: August 1
- Game 2: August 3
- Game 3: August 4
- Game 4*: August 6
- Game 5*: August 8