2021 NHL Schedule Released: Sharks Begin Season on 8-Game Road Trip

The San Jose Sharks will open the 2020-21 season with a eight-game road trip.

The Sharks open the season with back-to-back games at Gila River Arena against the Arizona Coyotes on Jan. 14 and Jan. 16. This is followed by two-game trips to St. Louis, Minnesota, and Colorado.

The Sharks’ “home” opener will be Feb. 1 against Vegas, location TBA. Arizona, and naturally, Las Vegas, will be candidates to be San Jose’s temporary home if the county of Santa Clara doesn’t allow the Sharks to return to SAP Center by then.

For what it’s worth, the Golden Knights’ last game before Feb. 1 is at T-Mobile Center and their first game after this two-game set against the Sharks is also at T-Mobile. Playing these contests in Las Vegas would at least reduce the Golden Knights’ travel during a pandemic.

At that time, the Coyotes will be on the road, so Gila River Arena will also be available.

It’s interesting to note that San Jose is the road team for 14 of their first 18 games. Their first extended homestand — more than two games — will be a six-game set that begins on Feb. 26 versus St. Louis.

Clearly, the NHL and the San Jose Sharks are hoping SAP Center will be open by then so the Sharks can celebrate most of their 30th anniversary season in San Jose.

This season-opening eight-game road trip is not the longest road trip in San Jose Sharks history.

From Feb. 4, 1999 to Feb. 20, 1999, the Sharks embarked on a 10-game sojourn.

Also of note: The Sharks will play the same opponent four times in a row at three times this season. Their first four-game “series” is against St. Louis from Feb. 18 to Feb. 27. They’ll also see Los Angeles for four consecutive tilts from Apr. 2 to Apr. 10 and Colorado from Apr. 30 to May 5.

The San Jose Sharks are scheduled to finish the regular season against the Coyotes on May 8 at home.

Here’s San Jose’s full 2020-21 schedule: