How many games are there in an NHL season?

When it comes to the regular season, both the NHL and NBA have perfectly balanced calendar years. They're not too short like the NFL (17 games), providing fans with enough entertainment to last them throughout the year. They're also not too long like MLB (162 games), keeping fan interest while the year goes on.

It's a fine balance between two evils, where the other two leagues have different extremes. Granted, the NFL is much more physical, with brutal hits happening on every play. MLB is based more on practice and repetition, with players building their skills down to the minute details. However, hockey strikes a harmonic balance between these two sports leagues, with teams like the Vegas Golden Knights perfecting their crafts.

With star players like Alex Pietrangelo finding that balance every game, it makes for a much more entertaining product. Mixed with a bona fide coach like Bruce Cassidy, the season becomes more accommodating for Golden Knights fans to watch. But there's a bigger mystery that fans less invested in the game want to know. How many games occur for each team in a regular season? It's an idea not many people have thought of, so here's the answer for those new to the game.

The NHL regular season has 82 games for each team, including the Vegas Golden Knights

The Vegas Golden Knights, like every other hockey team in the NHL, play 82 games in a regular season. Most of their games come as games outside of the conference, with 32 coming from the opposing conference. That's followed by divisional matchups with 26 games, with the inter-conference (non-divisional) games bringing up the rear (24).

There's been rumors of the NHL expanding their regular season to add two more games. That way, they can balance out the divisional games so each team plays their divisional opponents four times. Currently, the structure allows one team to play two divisional opponents three times (one with two home games and an away game, while the other is two road games and a home game).

While balance and harmony sound appealing, it's more about the money, too. Fans can see their favorite players and teams grace the ice. Whether it's Alex Pietrangelo and Bruce Cassidy with the Vegas Golden Knights or another prominent team, hockey can garner more exposure. That leads to more ticket sales, more advertising space being sold, and higher revenue. Plus, there would be more pre-game festivities!

Whatever the case, a little more hockey hasn't hurt anyone. That's especially true in Las Vegas, where the game has become a statewide pastime. Having two more games extend earlier into October or later into April is a good thing, helping people bond with one another over their favorite thing: Golden Knights hockey.