The NHL approved a new schedule format (see below). Now the Coyotes will play division rivals 6 times (3 home/3 away), conference rivals 4 times (2 home/2 away -- no change from the current schedule), and then interconference opponents 18 times (9 home/9 away). Three of the interconference opponents will be determined "at large".
Maybe they will do what the NFL does and have the extra games be against the teams in the opposing conference divisions that finish in the same place the previous year (i.e. 3rd place vs. 3rd place, etc.)
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Board of Governors approves new schedule matrix
NHL.com
Nov 29, 2007, 9:39 PM EST
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. – The National Hockey League’s Board of Governors today approved a scheduling matrix which ensures that each Club will play every other Club a minimum of once per season. The format will go into effect for the 2008-2009 season.
Each Club will play the teams in its division three times at home and three times on the road, for a total of 24 games. Each Club will continue to play 40 games inside its conference but outside its division (10 opponents) twice at home and twice on the road. That brings the in-conference total to 64 games and maintains the integrity of a Conference-based playoff system.
The remaining 18 games in the 82-game schedule will involve each Club playing each Club in the other conference at least once, home or away, with the three remaining games being devoted to interconference “at-large” scheduling.
The format represents a change from the matrix approved by the Board for the 2005-06 campaign. That format called for four games (40 total) against each non-division conference opponent, eight games (32 total) against each in-division opponent and 10 inter-conference games – one game at home against each of the five clubs from a designated division and one game on the road against all five clubs from a different division.
Maybe they will do what the NFL does and have the extra games be against the teams in the opposing conference divisions that finish in the same place the previous year (i.e. 3rd place vs. 3rd place, etc.)
___________________________
Board of Governors approves new schedule matrix
NHL.com
Nov 29, 2007, 9:39 PM EST
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. – The National Hockey League’s Board of Governors today approved a scheduling matrix which ensures that each Club will play every other Club a minimum of once per season. The format will go into effect for the 2008-2009 season.
Each Club will play the teams in its division three times at home and three times on the road, for a total of 24 games. Each Club will continue to play 40 games inside its conference but outside its division (10 opponents) twice at home and twice on the road. That brings the in-conference total to 64 games and maintains the integrity of a Conference-based playoff system.
The remaining 18 games in the 82-game schedule will involve each Club playing each Club in the other conference at least once, home or away, with the three remaining games being devoted to interconference “at-large” scheduling.
The format represents a change from the matrix approved by the Board for the 2005-06 campaign. That format called for four games (40 total) against each non-division conference opponent, eight games (32 total) against each in-division opponent and 10 inter-conference games – one game at home against each of the five clubs from a designated division and one game on the road against all five clubs from a different division.
