Wild to open 2021 schedule at L.A. January 14
FILE: Minnesota Wild left wing Kevin Fiala celebrates his goal against the Nashville Predators during the first period of an NHL hockey game.[AP/Andy Clayton-King]
The Minnesota Wild’s 2020-21 National Hockey League regular season schedule was released today.
The Wild opens its 20th season in the NHL on the road for the sixth straight campaign, beginning in Los Angeles on Thursday, Jan. 14, the first of four road games – the longest road trip to start a season in team history. The Wild returns to Saint Paul for its home opener on Friday, Jan. 22, hosting the San Jose Sharks.
The 2020-21 NHL regular-season schedule will consist of 56 games beginning Wednesday, Jan. 13 and concluding on May 8. The Stanley Cup Playoffs will feature 16 teams in the traditional best-of-seven, four-round format and conclude in mid-July.
For the 2020-21 season, teams will be divisionally re-aligned into the Central, East, North and West. The Wild will play in the West Division with Anaheim, Arizona, Colorado, Los Angeles, San Jose, St. Louis and Vegas. Each team in the East, Central and West divisions will play every other team in its division eight times while each team in the North Division will play every other team in its division nine or 10 times. Game times and broadcast information will be announced at a later date.
2020-21 Minnesota Wild Schedule Notes
Home Games by Day: Mon. – 5, Tue. – 2, Wed. – 5, Thur. – 2, Fri. – 5, Sat. – 5, Sun. – 4
Road Games by Day: Mon. – 5, Tue. – 2, Wed. – 4, Thur. – 4, Fri. – 4, Sat. – 8, Sun. – 1
Home Games by Month: Jan. – 6, Feb. – 6, March – 6, April – 6, May – 4
Road Games by Month: Jan. – 4, Feb. – 6, March – 8, April – 9, May – 1
Longest Homestand: six games; Jan. 18-31 vs. San Jose, Los Angeles, Colorado
Longest Road Trip: four games, five times
Jan. 14-20 at Los Angeles, Anaheim
Feb. 13-20 at Los Angeles, Anaheim
March 1-6 at Vegas, Arizona
March 29-April 3 at San Jose, Vegas
April 19-24 at Arizona, San Jose
Back-to-Back Games: 9 sets – the Wild played eight of its 11 sets of back-to-back contests in 2019-20 before COVID-19.
Back-to-back on road: 4
Back-to-back at home: 5
Length of Wild’s 2020-21 Season: 110 days (Jan. 14-May 8). The 2019-20 season lasted 157 days (Oct. 3-March 8).
Air miles: The Wild will travel an estimated 20,214 air miles during the 2020-21 season.
Courtesy: Wild Public Relations