Fixing the NHL Schedule & Playoffs | How to Improve the NHL's Regular Season and Postseason

The NHL has released its full 2025– 26 schedule, and it's time for a serious discussion. On today's episode of Locked On NHL, hosts Nick Zararis (Locked On Oilers) and Hunter Hodies (Locked On Penguins) break down how the league can improve both its regular season structure and its flawed playoff format. We explain how the current 82-game structure is set to expand to 84 games and what that means for rivalries, travel, and fan experience. Should we really be watching the same first-round matchups like Oilers vs. Kings year after year? And is the NHL’s dependence on gate revenue hurting the product? 0:00 NHL releases 2025-2026 season schedule 2:40 Gate revenue crucial for NHL finances 5:11 Preseason games scaling back, regular season expanding 9:36 Improving NHL schedule for better competition 13:15 Issues with current divisional game scheduling 16:40 Incentivizing divisional and conference matchups 20:13 Problems with current divisional playoff format 24:46 Making playoffs more competitive and rewarding 28:05 Potential 2-3-2 playoff series format Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Indeed Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to Indeed.com/LOCKEDON right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply. Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNHL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. Monarch Money Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNHL at monarchmoney.com/lockedonnhl for 50% off your first year. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now, new FanDuel customers can get $150 in Bonus Bets if your first $5 bet wins! FANDUEL DISCLAIMER : 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.