Hockey After Dark: NHL announces start times for 2021 Florida Panthers

The NHL announced start times for all teams on Monday with the Florida Panthers playing much of the 2021 schedule in the evening.

Of the 56 games being played, only six will have a start time before 7 p.m. in the east.

Florida will play all but two of its home games at 7 p.m.

On Feb. 3, the Panthers will play host to Detroit at 3 pm.; on April 4, the game against visiting Columbus is scheduled for a 5 p.m. start.

The Panthers open their 2021 season Jan. 14 against the visiting Dallas Stars at 7 p.m.

All four games (against the Stars and Chicago) in the initial homestand will start at 7.

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The Panthers plan on allowing fans into home games at BB&T Center at a reduced capacity and in keeping social distancing rules in place.

More information on single game access for fans will come from the team in the coming week or so.

The Panthers will compete in the NHL Central this season with all games being played within the division.

Florida is joined in the Central by Carolina, Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Nashville and Tampa Bay.

The Panthers will play each of those opponents eight times in 2021 with the top four teams in the division advancing to the NHL playoffs.

The NHL released start times for the Florida Panthers on Monday. This graphic shows game times in the local market, so a 7 p.m. game in Dallas will start at 8 p.m. in South Florida. // @NHL

FLORIDA PANTHERS 2021 NHL SCHEDULE

Times (EST) announced Monday, subject to change in the future

Jan. 14: Dallas, 7

Jan. 15: Dallas, 7

Jan. 17 : Chicago, 7

Jan. 19: Chicago, 7

Jan. 21: At Carolina, 7

Jan. 23: At Carolina, 1

Jan. 26: At Columbus, 7

Jan. 28: At Columbus, 7

Jan. 30: At Detroit, 7

Jan. 31: At Detroit, 5

Feb. 4: Nashville, 7

Feb. 5: Nashville, 7

Feb. 7: Detroit, 3

Feb. 9: Detroit, 7

Feb. 11: Tampa Bay, 7

Feb. 13: Tampa Bay, 7

Feb. 16: At Tampa Bay, 7

Feb. 19: At Detroit, 7:30

Feb. 21: At Detroit, 7

Feb. 23: Dallas, 7

Feb. 25: Dallas, 7

Feb. 27: Carolina, 7

March 1: Carolina, 7

March 4: At Nashville, 8

March 6: At Nashville, 2

March 9: At Columbus, 7

March 11: At Columbus, 7

March 13: At Chicago, 8

March 15: At Chicago, 8

March 18: Nashville, 7

March 20: Nashville, 7

March 27: At Dallas, 8

March 28: At Dallas, 6

March 30: Detroit, 7

April 1: Detroit, 7

April 3: Columbus, 7

April 4: Columbus, 5

April 6: At Carolina, 7

April 8: At Carolina, 7

April 10: At Dallas, 2

April 13: At Dallas, 8:30

April 15: At Tampa Bay, 7

April 17: At Tampa Bay, 7

April 19: Columbus, 7

April 20: Columbus, 7

April 22: Carolina, 7

April 24: Carolina, 7

April 26: At Nashville, 8

April 27: At Nashville, 8

April 29: At Chicago, 8

May 1: At Chicago, 8

May 4: At Tampa Bay, 7

May 6: Tampa Bay, 7

May 8: Tampa Bay, 7