The NHL now has a different look after the realignment process the league has undergone. It should be interesting to see new division rivalries formed and how the revamped playoff process will play out.
Here at The Inscriber we will attempt to give you some insight about how this season will play out in our NHL Season Preview.
In the Eastern Conference the old Northeast Division and Southeast Division are now the Atlantic Division and the old Atlantic got a sexy new name in the Metropolitan Division. Moving from the Western Conference to the Eastern Conference is the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Detroit Red Wings moving to the Metropolitan and Atlantic Division respectfully.
Out west the conference names stay the same the only difference is there is no longer a Northwest Division. The only team moving from the Eastern Conference to the Western Conference is the Winnipeg Jets.
The top three teams in each division make the playoffs regardless of record, then the next two teams with the best record in the conference regardless of division. Basically, one division could send five teams to the postseason and one could send only three. Here is how the division standings should shape up:
Atlantic Division
1. Detroit Red Wings
2. Boston Bruins
3. Montreal Canadiens
4. Ottawa Senators
5. Toronto Maple Leafs
6. Tampa Bay Lighnting
7. Buffalo Sabres
8. Florida Panthers
Metropolitan Division
1. Pittsburgh Penguins
2. Washington Capitals
3. New York Rangers
4. Philadelphia Flyers *Wildcard
5. Columbus Blue Jackets *Wildcard
6. New York Islanders
7. New Jersey Devils
8. Carolina Hurricanes
Central Division
1. St. Louis Blues
2. Chicago Blackhawks
3. Minnesota Wild
4. Colorado Avalanche *Wildcard
5. Nashville Predators
6. Dallas Stars
7. Winnipeg Jets
Pacific Division
1. Los Angeles Kings
2. San Jose Sharks
3. Vancouver Canucks
4. Anaheim Ducks *Wildcard
5. Phoenix Coyotes
6. Edmonton Oilers
7. Calgary Flames
Eastern Conference Finals: New York Rangers over Detroit Red Wings
Western Conference Finals: St. Louis Blues over San Jose Sharks
Stanley Cup: St. Louis Blues over New York Rangers.
John Machurek is the Head NHL Writer for The Inscriber Digital Magazine. Follow him on Twitter @JohnnyMacNHL or e-mail him at [email protected].
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