New NHL format

As you may or may not know, the NHL is going to a new division and playoff format for this season. I thought I'd introduce you to what this format is like and give you my thoughts on it. To start with there are all new divisions. These divisions are as follows.

West-Pacific                      West-Central                       East-Metropolitan           East-Atlantic
Ducks                                Blackhawks                         Hurricanes                      Bruins
Flames                               Avalanche                            Blue Jackets                   Sabres
Oilers                                 Stars                                    Devils                             Red Wings
Kings                                 Wild                                     Islanders                         Panthers
Coyotes                              Predators                            Rangers                          Canadiens
Sharks                                Blues                                   Flyers                             Senators                        
Canucks                             Jets                                     Penguins                          Lightning
                                                                                     Capitals                           Leafs

The top three teams from each division will advance to the play. Then, the next two teams with the most points in each conference get the remaining two playoff spots. Then, to determine playoff matchups, the conference winner with the most points will play the wildcard team with the fewest. Then the winner with second most will play the wildcard team with the second least. Then the teams who placed 2nd and 3rd in each division will play each other.

There are a number of advantages to the new format. One plus is Detroit and Columbus got moved to the Eastern Conference like they've wanted for awhile, and Winnipeg went West where they belong. Another big plus is playoff match ups are more likely to feature rival games (i.e. Edmonton-Calgary, Vancouver-LA, NY-NY, Philly-Pittsburgh, etc.) with the division play in the first round. Something else I really like is under the old format division winners were guaranteed a top 3 spot, when in reality their points would put them in 5th or 6th. Now that's gone with the new format with division winners. Another downer is that the two East Conferences now have two teams. Making it easier in the West to make the playoffs than the East, so it'll be interesting to see how that plays out.

Despite all this the new format also comes with some negatives. If one division is really strong a team that could make the playoffs in another division and would deserve it would be out. The opposite is also true, if a division is really weak a team non deserving might make the playoffs.

All in all though it looks like they did a good job of making the divisions and aligning the playoff format. I look forward to seeing how this plays out.

Here's a link to what I used for the info if you want to see. http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=660138

I'm going to start season previews and looking at some teams soon.

Darren.