There remains uncertainty over a schedule for the 2020-21 NHL season but it will definitely end with no action having taken place this year.
The league is attempting to navigate the coronavirus pandemic for a second time and is expected to push the start of the campaign back to mid-January.
A regular 82-game NHL season usually begins in early October but that was never an option after the Tampa Bay Lightning won the 2020 Stanley Cup in the playoff bubble late in September
The NHL does not want to extend play into late summer again, which would then affect the 2021-22 campaign. It is increasingly likely that this season will either be 52 or 56 games, bringing back memories of a lockout-shortened 2012-13 season that was reduced to 48 matches.
So, the question becomes is a 52 or 56-game regular season better than an 82-game season?
A season with 82 games offers far more hockey, which would certainly appeal to fans. More games also brings in more money for owners, leading to teams hopefully spending more on players and facilities.
But aside from finances, is the hockey better when there are less games in the regular season? And which teams and players would benefit most from a shorter season?
Conventional wisdom would suggest that yes, fewer games in the regular season leads to better and more exciting hockey. With each game carrying more weight in the standings, players should increase their intensity and fight even harder for every point.
A shortened season, however, is unlikely to lead to an increase in goalscoring. At least not if the 2012-13 season is any indication, with that campaign seeing 2.65 goals per game scored – less than in any of season since 2011-12.
There is also an unknown with the schedule in a reduced season. Sure, there is less travel and less games, but does that translate into more off days for teams, and if so, it would suggest that teams with older rosters would benefit.
The Detroit Red Wings currently have the oldest roster (28 years 253 days) in the league but after finishing with a league-low 39 points last season, it is difficult to see them experiencing much improvement.
Fewer cross-country flights and less games could help a team like the Bruins, who have the fifth-oldest roster (27 years, 294 days). There would be less wear and tear on Patrice Bergeron (35 years old), David Krejci (34), Tuukka Rask (33), Brad Marchand (32) and if he re-signs, Zdeno Chara (44 in March), when the playoffs roll around.
A condensed schedule, while less playing time, means even less opportunity to recover from the previous game. That should give teams with deeper lineups an advantage and increase the value of backup goaltenders. For example, the Capitals' signing of Henrik Lundqvist (39 in March) could turn out to be a key addition.
It is unlikely that Lundqvist will perform at the level he used to, but he could be the perfect goalie to pair with young Ilya Samsonov. Lundqvist played 30 games last season for the Rangers but may only be asked to play half that amount next season.
Marquee players like Alex Ovechkin (35) and Sidney Crosby (33) may not mind a shorter regular season as they chase the Stanley Cup, but it is not going to help them reach milestones.
After hitting the 700-goal mark last season, Ovechkin has a legitimate shot at catching Wayne Gretzky’s career goals record (894), but fewer games will not help.
With 706 goals, the Russian superstar ranks eighth on the all-time list, 188 behind the Great One.
Ovechkin was headed for his ninth 50-goal season after scoring 48 in 68 games last season and shows no signs of slowing down.
His average of 0.61 goals per game is more than any other player, among those who have featured in a minimum of 250 matches, since the 2013-14 season and has scored 335 times in that period.
If Ovechkin scored 30 goals next season and then 45 in each of the next three, he would be at 871 goals and 24 away from passing Gretzky before turning 40. Given his durability and love of the game, it is hard not to see Ovechkin playing that long and remaining effective.
Crosby has 462 goals and is going to get to the magical 500 mark eventually but will not get there in a shortened 2021 season. The most goals he ever scored through Pittsburgh's first 56 games was 34 back in 2009-10.
Another season of fewer than 82 games is also changing the way a player's career can be judged.
Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid was three points away from his fourth consecutive 100-point season when the 2019-20 regular season was stopped due to the virus. As remarkable a player as he is, nobody will be getting to 100 points in 52 or 56 games.
With three points last season, and another 100-point campaign in a normal campaign McDavid could have become the first player since Steve Yzerman (1987-88 to 1992-93) with five straight 100-point seasons.
As far as team success goes, getting off to a fast start takes on added meaning in a shortened season. The 2012-13 Chicago Blackhawks took this to a new level when they opened 21-0-3 and finished with a league-best 77 points in 48 games. They defeated Minnesota, Detroit and Los Angeles in the playoffs before beating Philadelphia for the Stanley Cup.
Every year there is a team that starts slow and turns it on in the second half but that will not be an option this season. A poor stretch in January or February could be all that it takes to keep a team out of the playoffs.