NHL Realignment Plan
Pending approval from the NHLPA, the yet-to-be-named four conference set-up to be in place starting with the 2012-13 season.
The new alignment enables the NHL to create a balanced schedule in which all teams will play each other at least twice every season, once at home and once on the road, giving fans a chance to see every team and superstar in the league. The remaining games will be played within the conferences.
In the seven-team Conferences, teams would play six times — three home, three away. In the eight-team Conferences, teams would play either five or six times in a season on a rotating basis.
As a result of the new four-conference alignment, the Stanley Cup Playoffs will follow a different format as well. The top four teams in each Conference will qualify for the playoffs. The first-place team in each conference would play the fourth-place team in the same conference; the second-place team would play the third-place team. The four respective Conference champions would meet in the third round, with the survivors playing for the Stanley Cup.