Okay people, put your torches and pitchforks away. We fully acknowledge that this is a completely unnecessary activity with extremely flawed data.
We are aware that teams only played other teams in their division, and no one else, and that this would drastically change the point totals. Some divisions were undeniably tougher than others, and that would alter the standings.
Even though the point totals are flawed, and not an indication of what the standings would look like (have we hammered that home enough?), we’re doing it anyways:
The COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY LOOK AT WHAT THE PLAYOFFS WOULD LOOK LIKE HAD THE DIVISIONS NOT BEEN REALIGNED AND THE POINT TOTALS WERE THE SAME!!!!!!
(Yes, we know it’s flawed).
Atlantic Division:
Florida Panthers -- 79 points
Toronto Maple Leafs -- 77 points
Tampa Bay Lightning -- 75 points
(WC1) Boston Bruins -- 73 points
Metro Division
Carolina Hurricanes -- 80 points
Pittsburgh Penguins -- 77 points
Washington Capitals -- 77 points
(WC2) New York Islanders -- 71 points
Central Division
Colorado Avalanche -- 82 points
Minnesota Wild -- 75 points
Nashville Predators -- 64 points
(WC1) Winnipeg Jets -- 61 points
(WC2) St. Louis Blues -- 61 points
Pacific Division
Vegas Golden Knights -- 82 points
Edmonton Oilers -- 72 points
Calgary Flames -- 55 points
First of all, Calgary finished with the 3rd most points in the Pacific Division with their season finale win over Vancouver… what?!
Anyway, here’s how the playoffs would shake down had the point totals actually shaken down like this in a non-realignment year.
East
- Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Islanders
- Florida Panthers vs. Boston Bruins
- Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
- Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals
West
- Colorado Avalanche vs. St. Louis Blues (ayyy!!)
- Vegas Golden Knights vs. Winnipeg Jets
- Minnesota Wild vs. Nashville Predators
- Edmonton Oilers vs. Calgary Flames
Takeaways:
Most of the series in the East are not as fun as they are with the 2021 division realignment. Pittsburgh vs. Washington would be fun, Toronto vs. Tampa would be fun, but those teams are all locked into really fun series as it is.
Saying that, Vegas vs. Winnipeg and the Battle of Alberta are both VERY fun matchups in the West.
Overall, we’re liking the 1st round of the playoffs more with the realignment. Besides, none of this really matters anyway…