1989
Registered User
- Aug 3, 2010
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While I'm sure that we've talked about it in passing, I thought it might be good to have a dedicated topic about the new division alignment that the Calgary Flames now find themselves in.
As a reminder, here are the teams in the Pacific:
Anaheim Ducks
Calgary Flames
Edmonton Oilers
Los Angeles Kings
Phoenix Coyotes
San Jose Sharks
Vancouver Canucks
All 30 teams will also play each other at least once in the new season schedule.
The playoff format is as follows:
Who do you think Calgary will find new rivalries with?
How do you feel about inter-divisional playoffs?
Do you think Calgary could gain an advantage with these new alignments?
Do you feel the reduced travel for Western teams will affect a young team like the Flames?
I personally like the new divisions although I'm not in favour of the 16/14 split of teams between conferences. I'm excited for the possibility for inter-divisional playoffs and I think Flames fans will discover new animosities toward Anaheim and Los Angeles the most although it will never heat up the same way as any of the Flames' traditional Canadian rivals.
As a reminder, here are the teams in the Pacific:
Anaheim Ducks
Calgary Flames
Edmonton Oilers
Los Angeles Kings
Phoenix Coyotes
San Jose Sharks
Vancouver Canucks
All 30 teams will also play each other at least once in the new season schedule.
The playoff format is as follows:
NHL.com said:The top three teams in each division will make up the first 12 teams in the playoffs. The remaining four spots will be filled by the next two highest-placed finishers in each conference, based on regular-season points and regardless of division.
It will be possible, then, for one division to send five teams to the postseason while the other sends three.
The seeding of the wild-card teams within each divisional playoff will be determined on the basis of regular-season points. The division winner with the most points in the conference will be matched against the wild-card team with the fewest points; the division winner with the second-most points in the conference will play the wild-card team with the second fewest points.
The teams finishing second and third in each division will play in the first round of the playoffs. The winners of each series will play for berths in the conference championship series.
The winners of the conference championships advance to the Stanley Cup Final.
Who do you think Calgary will find new rivalries with?
How do you feel about inter-divisional playoffs?
Do you think Calgary could gain an advantage with these new alignments?
Do you feel the reduced travel for Western teams will affect a young team like the Flames?
I personally like the new divisions although I'm not in favour of the 16/14 split of teams between conferences. I'm excited for the possibility for inter-divisional playoffs and I think Flames fans will discover new animosities toward Anaheim and Los Angeles the most although it will never heat up the same way as any of the Flames' traditional Canadian rivals.