What if the NHL already realigned? What the playoff picture would look like today

By Vincent Witel • NJDevsBlog.com

Here are the 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 21, 2013.

       Eastern Conference

1. Pittsburgh 68- Atlantic Z
2. Boston 59- Northeast X
3. Washington 52- Southeast
4. Montreal 59 X
5. Toronto 55 X
6. New York Islanders 53 
7. Ottawa  52
8. New York Rangers 52
9. Winnipeg 49
10. New Jersey 44 E
11. Buffalo 44 E
12. Philadelphia 43 E
13. Tampa Bay 38 E
14. Carolina 37 E
15. Florida 32 E

       Western Conference

1. Chicago 73- Central Z
2. Anaheim 62- Pacific  X
3. Vancouver 57- Northwest X
4. Los Angeles 57 X
5. San Jose 55
6. St. Louis 54
7. Minnesota 51
8. Columbus 51
9. Detroit 48
10. Dallas 48
11. Phoenix 46
12. Calgary 42 E
13. Edmonton 41 E
14. Nashville 39 E 
15. Colorado 37 E

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

Eastern Conference

Division D

1. Pittsburgh 68 Z

2. New York Islanders 53*

3. Washington 52*

4. New York Rangers 52 WC 

5. Columbus 51

6. New Jersey 44 E

7. Philadelphia 43 E

8. Carolina 37 E

Division C

1. Boston 59 X

2. Montreal 59 X

3. Toronto 55*

4. Ottawa 52 WC

5. Detroit 48  

6. Buffalo 44 E

7. Tampa Bay 38 E

8. Florida 32 E

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

Pittsburgh vs New York Rangers

Montreal vs Toronto

Boston vs Ottawa

New York Islanders vs Washington

Western Conference

Division A

1. Anaheim 62 X

2. Los Angeles 57 X

3. Vancouver 57*

4. San Jose 55 WC

5. Phoenix 46 

6. Calgary 42 E

7. Edmonton 41 E

Division B

1. Chicago 73 Z

2. St. Louis 54*

3. Minnesota 51*

4. Winnipeg 49 WC  

5. Dallas 48 

6. Nashville 39 E

7. Colorado 37 E

Here is how the playoffs would look like

Chicago vs Winnipeg

Anaheim vs San Jose

Los Angeles vs Vancouver

St. Louis vs Minnesota

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