The NHL Board of Governors have reached a decision on realignment for next season. Each team will at least have a home-and-home with every other team.
Darren Millard via twitter: In the 7 team conference, teams play each other 6 times. 8 team conferences play each other 5 or 6 times on a rotating basis.
Bob McKenzie via twitter: 1st 2 rounds are within conference … 1 vs 4 and 2 vs 3 … winners face each other. The 4 conference winners are then seeded by total points, so it’s possible for a all-East or all-West matchup.
Dan Tencer via twitter: It’s believed the BOG voted 26-4 in favors of the new alignment.
The new conferences are as follows:
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Kings
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Red Wings
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Canadiens
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Flyers
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Ducks
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Blackhawks
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Maple Leafs
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Penguins
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Sharks
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Blues
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Senators
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Rangers
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Canucks
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Wild
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Bruins
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Islanders
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Flames
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Predators
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Sabres
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Devils
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Oilers
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Blue Jackets
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Panthers
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Capitals
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Avalanche
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Jets
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Lightning
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Hurricanes
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Coyotes
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Stars
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#1 by Darryl at December 5th, 2011
Best 16 teams should make the playoffs. So even though teams now play home and homes with every team the playoff format is more splintered
#2 by AJ at December 6th, 2011
Id still switch the panthers+lightning with washington+carolina
#3 by Joseph at December 6th, 2011
While I was expecting a less drastic change, I like this in principle and am excited to watch intra-divisional playoff series. I’m also really excited for all-East or all-West Stanley Cup matchups, it should be fun!
#4 by Neil at January 31st, 2012
I dont like it unless they balance it out with a couple expansion teams