Formed in 1993 – though essentially known as the Norris Division from 1974 – the Central Division is one of the 2 Western Conference divisions along with the Pacific Division. It is home to the current Stanley Cup holders, the Colorado Avalanche, and features some tasty matchups! The top 3 teams in the division will qualify for the playoffs and will be joined by the 2 next highest scoring teams across the entire Western Conference.
The current 8 franchises in the Central Division (in alphabetical order) and their home rinks are:
- Arizona Coyotes (Mullett Arena, Phoenix, Arizona, USA)
- Chicago Blackhawks(United Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA)
- Colorado Avalanche(Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado, USA)
- Dallas Stars (American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas, USA)
- Minnesota Wild (Xcel Energy Center, Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA)
- Nashville Predators (Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee, USA)
- St. Louis Blues (Enterprise Center, St. Louis, Missouri, USA)
- Winnipeg Jets (Canada Life Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada)
Many had tipped Colorado to lift the Stanley Cup for the second year running after their extraordinary season in 2021-22, and they are certainly looking to be a good bet to make the postseason. Surprisingly, the oldest team in the division, Chicago Blackhawks have had a tough season and sit at the bottom of the table.
Rivalries
As the Western Conference is newer than its Eastern counterpart, there are fewer big rivalries, however, the Central Division is still feisty! As the oldest team in the division and one of the “Original 6”, Chicago Blackhawks have some tense rivalries including ones with Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues. Some of the big games to look forward to in the 2022-23 season are:
- Minnesota Wild v Chicago Blackhawks · 25 Mar 2023
- Chicago Blackhawks v St. Louis Blues · 30 Mar 2023
- Chicago Blackhawks v Minnesota Wild · 10 Apr 2023
2022-23 Schedule
The first Central Division games in the 2022-23 NHL Regular Season were on 12 October 2022. Teams from each conference play 28 games in their own division (4 against each of their 7 Central Division opponents) and 24 games against the 8 opponents in the other division (Pacific) in their conference (3 games against every team) after which they may progress to the NHL Playoffs.
You can find the full 2022-23 NHL schedule here.
2022-23 Playoffs and Finals
The 2023 playoffs will begin after the regular season has finished in mid-April. Of the 32 regular season teams, 16 qualify with 8 from each conference (the top 3 teams from each division plus 2 conference teams with the next highest points). There are 4 rounds of best-of-7 series: first round with 16 teams in 8 x best-of-7 series; second round with 8 teams in 4 x best-of-7 series; Conference Finals with 4 teams in 2 x best-of-7 series; and the Stanley Cup Finals with 2 teams in 1 x best-of-7 series to determine who lifts the Stanley Cup.
2022-23 Ticket & Prices
Each arena has its own seating chart and each will vary, however, NHL venues typically have: a lower level close to the ice with seats in the front rows offering premium views from beside the plexiglass; a club or mezzanine level with elevated views of the game; suite levels offering an exclusive experience with additional perks such as catering, a wait service, and a private entrance; and an upper level furthest from the ice, but offering views across the entire arena and the most affordable tickets.
Some of the most affordable tickets in the Central Division are USD $10 (CAD $13) for basic tickets to $29,615 (CAD $39,859) for the most premium tickets.
How to Get Cheap Tickets
The teams playing, the arena, the day of the week (weekends are typically more expensive), and the stage of the league will all affect how much tickets cost. Prices for the same game fluctuate over time and among sellers. There may be last-minute deals for less popular games; however, if there is a high demand, waiting can also result in ticket shortages or higher prices. Koobit helps you find the right tickets at the best price by comparing prices from primary and secondary sellers.
Where to Buy Tickets
At most arenas, you can purchase tickets at the on-site box office, however, opening hours and ticket availability will vary. Generally, buying your ticket online is more convenient because you can easily compare options and prices and guarantee a seat before arriving at the arena.
How to Get to a Game
The majority of NHL arenas are located in a city's downtown and are surrounded by garages and lots with pre-bookable nearby car parking spaces. Venues are easily accessible by public transportation as well because of their central locations. Visit an arena’s travel & parking page for more information. For event-specific information, click through to an event and view the Travel & Parking section.
2022-23 Merchandise & Apparel
If you want to look the part when attending a game in the Central Division, Fanatics sells official NHL merchandise, offering everything from team sweaters to branded caps.
To stay up to date with the latest schedule and ticketing information for this season and beyond, visit the National Hockey League (NHL) page.