It’s not a marathon now, it’s a sprint ... no taking “days off” this year.
With each team having 4 Division opponents & 10 other Conference, they should play 24 division games + 20 conference == 44 regular season; no extra playoffs, and rank ALL teams by points despite division finish.
Word is, they’re looking at 48 games ... add a home & home with the other divisions placing, e.g. North 3rd vs other 3rd’s.