What if the NHL already realigned? As of April 7

By Vincent Witel ♦ NJDevsBlog.com contributing writer

Here are the current NHL standings under the current alignment, just going by 1-15 and not by division. Division winners are automatically seeded 1,2,3. Top 8 teams qualify for the playoffs. These are the standings after games played on April 7.

       Eastern Conference

Vinnie Witel

1. Pittsburgh 58- Atlantic X
2. Montreal 55- Northeast
3. Washington 42- Southeast
4. Boston 52
5. Ottawa 46
6. Toronto 44
7. New York Rangers  42
8. New York Islanders 42
9. New Jersey 40
10. Winnipeg 40
11. Buffalo 38
12. Philadelphia 37
13. Carolina 34
14. Tampa Bay 34
15. Florida 32

       Western Conference

1. Chicago 62- Central X
2. Anaheim 57- Pacific
3. Vancouver 48- Northwest
4. Los Angeles 48
5. San Jose 47
6. Minnesota 46
7. St. Louis 44
8. Detroit 43
9. Phoenix 40
10. Dallas 39
11. Edmonton 39
12. Columbus 39
13. Nashville 38
14. Calgary 30
15. Colorado 29

Now let’s see how the standings would look under the new realignment proposal. 

Eastern Conference

Division D

1. Pittsburgh 58*X

2. New York Rangers 42*

3. Washington 42*

4. New York Islanders 42

5. New Jersey 40

6. Columbus 39

7. Philadelphia 37

8. Carolina 34

Division C

1. Montreal 55*

2. Boston 52*

3. Toronto 46*

4. Ottawa 44 WC

5. Detroit 43 WC

6. Buffalo 38

7. Tampa Bay 34

8. Florida 32

Here is how the playoffs would look like in the Eastern Conference.

Pittsburgh vs Detroit

Montreal vs Ottawa

Boston vs Toronto

New York Rangers vs Washington

Western Conference

Division A

1. Anaheim 57*

2. Vancouver 48*

3. Los Angeles 48*

4. San Jose 47 WC

5. Phoenix 40 WC

6. Edmonton 39

7. Calgary 30

Division B

1. Chicago 62* X

2. Minnesota 46*

3. St. Louis 44*

4. Winnipeg 40 

5. Dallas 39 

6. Nashville 38

7. Colorado 29

Here is how the playoffs would look like.

Chicago vs Phoenix

Anaheim vs San Jose

Vancouver vs Los Angeles

Minnesota vs St. Louis

X-Clinched Playoff Berth Y- Clinched Division Z- Clinched Home Ice P- President’s Trophy WC- Wildcard E-Eliminated