Welcome back: Florida Panthers 2021 NHL schedule unveiled

When the NHL put its 2019-20 season on hold March 12, the Florida Panthers were in Dallas awaiting a game with the Stars.

They never got to play that game, but, with the Stars in the Panthers’ new division, the two will soon become old pals.

The NHL unveiled its 2021 schedule on Wednesday as the Panthers will get their fill of the Dallas Stars — as well as everyone else in the temporary NHL Central Division — as the teams will play each other eight times between the opener on Jan. 13 and the season finale May 8.

As for the Panthers, they will open their season at BB&T Center (and expect to have fans in the stands) on Jan. 14 against Dallas.

The two teams will play each other the following day with Chicago completing the season-opening four-game homestand by coming in for a two-game set on Jan. 17-19.

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The 2021 season schedule is mostly two-game series against the same opponent (either at home or away) saves for series against Tampa Bay.

As expected, the Panthers and Lighting will actually play each other in a pair of three-game series: On Feb. 11-13, Florida will host the Lightning for two games then finish that series in Tampa on Feb. 16.

The Panthers end the season with a three-game set against the Lightning: at Tampa Bay on May 4 and in Sunrise May 6 and 8.

Florida’s longest homestand in the 2021 campaign is a six-game series in February against Nashville (Feb. 4-5), Detroit (Feb. 7-9) and Tampa Bay (Feb. 11-13).

The Panthers have two such road trips including their first trip with games at Carolina (Jan. 21-23), Columbus (Jan. 26-28) and Detroit (Jan. 30-31).

Time to play that hockey: The NHL is officially back for 2021

The other six-game trip comes later in the season with stops in Carolina (April 6-8), Dallas (April 10-13) and Tampa (April 15-17).

In all, Florida is scheduled to play 56 games will all coming within the new NHL Central: Tampa Bay, Carolina, Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit and Nashville.

While not all NHL teams will be able to accommodate fans in their buildings this season, the Panthers plan to make additional ticket announcements.

Florida is expected to have around 20 percent capacity at the nearly 20,000-seat BB&T Center in Sunrise at least from the start.

The Panthers plan on opening training camp at the IceDen in Coral Springs on Jan. 3 which will be closed to the public. With no exhibition games this season, Florida’s first game will count come Jan. 14 against Dallas.

FLORIDA PANTHERS 2021 NHL SCHEDULE

Times to be announced

Jan. 14: Dallas

Jan. 15: Dallas

Jan. 17 : Chicago

Jan. 19: Chicago

Jan. 21: At Carolina

Jan. 23: At Carolina

Jan. 26: At Columbus

Jan. 28: At Columbus

Jan. 30: At Detroit

Jan. 31: At Detroit

The Florida Panthers will play all of their 56 games within the NHL Central Division this season. // @FlaPanthers

Feb. 4: Nashville

Feb. 5: Nashville

Feb. 7: Detroit

Feb. 9: Detroit

Feb. 11: Tampa Bay

Feb. 13: Tampa Bay

Feb. 16: At Tampa Bay

Feb. 19: At Detroit

Feb. 21: At Detroit

Feb. 23: Dallas

Feb. 25: Dallas

Feb. 27: Carolina

The Florida Panthers will play all 56 of their games in 2021 against teams in the temporary NHL Central. // @FlaPanthers

March 1: Carolina

March 4: At Nashville

March 6: At Nashville

March 9: At Columbus

March 11: At Columbus

March 13: At Chicago

March 15: At Chicago

March 18: Nashville

March 20: Nashville

March 27: At Dallas

March 28: At Dallas

March 30: Detroit

April 1: Detroit

April 3: Columbus

April 4: Columbus

April 6: At Carolina

April 8: At Carolina

April 10: At Dallas

April 13: At Dallas

April 15: At Tampa Bay

April 17: At Tampa Bay

April 19: Columbus

April 20: Columbus

April 22: Carolina

April 24: Carolina

April 26: At Nashville

April 27: At Nashville

April 29: At Chicago

May 1: At Chicago

May 4: At Tampa Bay

May 6: Tampa Bay

May 8: Tampa Bay