The NHL season is almost upon us. You may be looking forward to heading to the rink to watch your favourite teams play preseason matches and determine the standings for next season. But before you rush out to buy tickets for the upcoming campaigns, you need to know what division your team is playing in.
Below, you’ll find a guide that will teach you the basics of the NHL’s newfangled playoff system, as well as inform you of the different ways in which teams qualify for the postseason. We’ll also discuss what to look forward to upon reaching the post-season, as well as list some of the challenges that you may encounter. So, read on to get the scoop on the 2019–20 NHL hockey divisions.
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What Is The Central Division?
The Central Division, also known as the Central League, is the smallest of the six divisions in the NHL. It features six teams, with two from each conference – Nashville Predators and Chicago Blackhawks being the exceptions. The Central Division is made up of teams that reside in the middle of the country, travelling between cities to play their matches. This division was previously known as the American League before it was overhauled and rebranded.
How Do I Member A Team In The Central Division?
If you want to member a team in the Central Division, you’ll need to do so using the NHL’s interactive tool Qualify For The Playoffs. You can find this tool on the league’s website. Simply enter your home city and zip code, and the tool will tell you which teams you qualify for based on the 2019–20 regular season. If you live in Nashville or Chicago, you’ll have to look no further as those are the only two cities that the Central Division includes.
What Is The Western Division?
The Western Division, also known as the Western Conference, consists of twelve teams, eight from the Western Conference and four from the Eastern Conference. Residing in the Western Division are your standard-issue hockey franchises, with the exception of the Golden State Warriors, who have opted out of the NHL in favour of the NCAA in recent seasons. As with the other five divisions in the league, the Western Division is also divisible into two leagues, with the playoffs running from March to May. During the season, teams in the Western Division meet at least seven times, with every other team in the division making the trip across the country several times.
Which Teams Qualify For The Playoffs In The Western Division?
The regular season is over, and the postseason has begun. Only the top four teams in the Western Division, based on overall record, qualify for the playoffs. Teams that finish fifth through eighth will have to play a qualifying match to see which team is the fifth seed and which team is the eighth. The higher seeded team in each match wins the series. There is an exception to this rule, as the Golden State Warriors have opted out of the 2020 playoffs. They’ll be replaced by the San Antonio Spurs, who are the hottest team in the NBA right now.
What Is The Eastern Division?
The Eastern Division, also known as the Eastern Conference, is the largest of the six divisions in the NHL. It is home to the largest number of teams, with the exception of the Atlantic Division, which includes fewer teams but has a higher population density. You’ll usually find your Eastern Division teams playing in smaller cities and townships than teams in the other five divisions. The only other professional team in the area are the Boston Bruins, who play in the Atlantic Division.
So, What Is The Atlantic Division?
The Atlantic Division, often simply referred to as the Atlantic League, is made up of the Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Rangers, and Pittsburgh Penguins. These are the original three foundations of the NHL, and the division is named after them. The Atlantic Division is the oldest division in the league, and one of the most competitive – two of the last three division championships have gone to teams in this division. The regular season for the Atlantic Division runs from October to April, with teams meeting at least twelve times throughout the season and often playing each other multiple times. The last season for the original New York Islanders was in the 1982–83 NHL season, and due to a league-wide realignment that year, they became part of the newly formed Atlantic Division along with the Blue Jackets, Rangers, and Penguins. Prior to the realignment, the Islanders had their own conference, the National Hockey League (later renamed the American Hockey League), and participated in the World Hockey Association (WHA). The WHA folded in the mid-1980s, and the Atlantic Division became the top flight of the NHL. One of the biggest and most memorable rivalries in hockey will be played out between the Penguins and the Blue Jackets, each other’s conference rivals. It’s the perfect example of a rivalry built on a history of dislike – the two teams have met over 300 times and counting.
What Are The Metropolitan Divisions?
The Metropolitan Division, also known as the Metropolitan Conference, was the brainchild of former commissioner Gary Bettman. An idea that came from the bottom up, rather than from the top down, the Metropolitan Division was created to give a competitive advantage to teams in the middle of the country. This division includes eleven teams, with two from each conference. The format for the division is similar to that of the Western Division, with the exception of a different set of teams competing for position in the postseason. While the top four teams in the Western Division make it into the playoffs, the top four teams from the Metropolitan Division will be guaranteed a spot in the post-season. In addition, the fifth and sixth placed teams in the division will be given preferential treatment in the 2021 NHL Draft. The top half of the first round will be split two ways, with the top four teams in the Metropolitan Division receiving an additional pick each. This will give those teams a total of six picks, rather than four, in the first round.
What Is The Coastal Division?
The Coastal Division is made up of the Carolina Hurricanes, New York Islanders, and Tampa Bay Lightning. One of the most competitive and oldest divisions in the NHL, the Coastal Division was one of the first to adopt a breakaway format for the postseason. This format gives any team, no matter where they are located, an equal chance of going all the way to the championship. This is one of the big changes that came about with the switch to a conference-based format. Prior to the 2019–20 season, the Coastal Division was known as the Atlantic Coast League due to its inclusion of the original three NHL franchises. However, the name changed as a result of the realignment, and the division is now made up of the Carolina Hurricanes, New York Islanders, and Tampa Bay Lightning. The only other team in this division are the Boston Bruins, who play in the Atlantic Division.
How Do I Member A Team In The Coastal Division?
To qualify for the postseason in the Coastal Division, you’ll need to use the NHL’s interactive tool Qualify For Playoffs. This tool is also where you’ll find all the information you need for the upcoming Draft. Simply enter the city and zip code where you live, and the tool will calculate how many teams you qualify for based on the 2019–20 regular season. While the other divisions are made up of standard-issue hockey teams, the Coastal Division adds a little extra flavour with the inclusion of the Hurricanes, Islanders, and Lightning. Plus, you’ll get to see lots of lightning storms in October, November, and December, as the three teams in this division are all located near the North Coast of the United States. Unfortunately, you won’t get the opportunity to see hurricanes in the same season – that’s reserved for the other divisions.
What Is The Canadian Division?
The Canadian Division has only three teams in it this year – the Calgary Flames, Ottawa Senators, and Toronto Maple Leafs. All three are located in Canada, and the only other team in this division is the Montreal Canadiens, who play in the Atlantic Division. The Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs are rivals, and the division is named after the cities’ hockey teams. This is the same division as last year, with the exception of the Calgary Flames and Ottawa Senators, who swapped conferences at the end of the last season. This is yet another example of how quickly the standings can change in the NHL – last season, the Flames finished in last place, but moved up to fourth based on the strength of their play in the second half of the year.