Way to Early 2013 NHL Predictions + Is NHL Realignment Better?

     This is the last season we will see of the traditional two conference, eight playoff teams per each conference format. Now, there will be four conferences with the top four teams from each conference advancing a four team playoff within their own conference. From there, the four conference champions will either be reseeded or play in a more traditional conference finals. So which teams will comprise these new divisions?

I. Boston, Buffalo, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Tampa Bay, Florida
II. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, New York, New York, Carolina, Washington, New Jersey
III. Detroit, Chicago, Columbus, Minnesota, Dallas, Nashville, St. Louis, Winnipeg
IV. Los Angeles, Vancouver, Anaheim, Calgary, Colorado, Edmonton, San Jose, Phoenix


    

The big question is whether this new seeding will make the playoffs better or worse. Well, just determine that for your self and see what matchups you would've like better from this year's playoffs.

 

Tyler Seguin

I.
1 Boston
2 Florida
3 Ottawa
4 Buffalo


Boston v.s. Buffalo- Boston in Six
Florida v.s. Ottawa- Ottawa in Seven


Boston v.s. Ottawa- Boston in Six


II.
1 New York 
2 Pittsburgh
3 Philadelphia
4 New Jersey


New York v.s. New Jersey- New Jersey in Six
Pittsburgh v.s. Philadelphia- Philadelphia in Six 


Philadelphia v.s. New Jersey- New Jersey in Five 


III.

Patrick Kane

1 St. Louis 
2 Nashville
3 Detroit
4 Chicago


St. Louis v.s. Chicago- St. Louis in Six
Nashville v.s. Detroit- Nashville in Five


St. Louis v.s. Nashville- Nashville in Seven


IV. 
1 Vancouver
2 Phoenix
3 San Jose 
4 Los Angeles


Vancouver v.s. Los Angeles- Los Angeles in Five
Phoenix v.s. San Jose- Phoenix in Six


Phoenix v.s. Los Angeles- Los Angeles in Five


Final Four
1 Nashville Predators 
2 Boston Bruins
3 New Jersey

Anze Kopitar

4 Los Angeles Kings


Los Angeles in Six
Boston in Seven


Stanley Cup Finals
Boston v.s. Los Angeles
Los Angeles in Six


     A Bruins/Kings Stanley Cup Finals wouldn't have drawn any complaints, right? One thing that is still yet to be decided is whether the final four should be reseeded or should just go back to a traditional eastern and western conference finals. The NHL would love say a Rangers/Canadiens Stanley Cup Final or something similar to that, but it would not want an all western conference final featuring say San Jose and St. Louis. I for one do not mind the reseeding, but it will certainly come down to what is better for the ratings and revenue.


Anyway, let's look at the matchups we could be in store for next season by predicting the outcomes from the new divisional format. 

Sidney Crosby

I.
1 Buffalo Sabres  109 PTS
2 Boston Bruins  100 PTS     
3 Ottawa Senators  97 PTS
4 Toronto Maple Leafs  88 PTS
5 Tampa Bay Lightning  86 PTS
6 Florida Panthers  81 PTS
7 Montreal Canadiens  77 PTS

II.
1 Pittsburgh Penguins  112 PTS
2 Washington Capitals  110 PTS
3 New York Rangers  105 PTS
4 Philadelphia Flyers  101 PTS
5 Carolina Hurricanes  95 PTS
6 New York Islanders  85 PTS
7 New Jersey Devils  79 PTS

III.
1 Chicago Blackhawks  106 PTS
2 St. Louis Blues  100 PTS
3 Detroit Red Wings  96 PTS
4 Winnipeg Jets  94 PTS

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

5 Nashville Predators  92 PTS
6 Minnesota Wild  91 PTS
7 Dallas Stars  87 PTS
8 Columbus Blue Jackets  67 PTS 


IV.
1 Los Angeles Kings  108 PTS
2 Vancouver Canucks  104 PTS
3 Edmonton Oilers  95 PTS
4 Phoenix Coyotes  93 PTS
5 Colorado Avalanche  90 PTS
6 San Jose Sharks  90 PTS
7 Anaheim Ducks  81 PTS
8 Calgary Flames  74 PTS


Conference Semi-Finals
1) Buffalo over 4) Toronto  4-2 
2) Boston over 3) Ottawa  4-2
1) Pittsburgh over 4) Philadelphia  4-2
3) New York over 2) Washington  4-1
1) Chicago over 4) Winnipeg  4-3
3) Detroit over 2) St. Louis  4-3
1) Los Angeles over 4) Phoenix  4-2 
2) Vancouver over 3) Edmonton  4-0


Conference Finals
2) Boston over 1) Buffalo  4-3
3) New York over 1) Pittsburgh  4-2
1) Chicago over 3) Detroit  4-1

2) Vancouver over 1) Los Angeles  4-3

Henrik Lundqvist

Final Four
Option A
Boston Bruins v.s. New York Rangers
Vancouver Canucks v.s. Chicago Blackhawks


New York over Boston  4-2
Vancouver over Chicago  4-2


Stanley Cup Finals
New York Rangers over Vancouver Canucks  4-2

Option B
Boston Bruins v.s. Chicago Blackhawks
Vancouver Canucks v.s. New York Rangers


Chicago over Boston  4-1
New York over Vancouver  4-2


Stanley Cup Finals 
New York Rangers over Chicago Blackhawks  4-2