The National Hockey League's Board of Governors has approved realignment and a division-based format for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, effective for the 2013-14 season. The realignment plan creates two eight-team divisions in the Eastern Conference and two seven-team divisions in the Western Conference. The names of the divisions will be formalized at a later date.

 The new alignment will place several clubs (Winnipeg, Detroit and Columbus) in more geographically appropriate groupings and will intensify already-fierce rivalries throughout the League.

The new scheduling matrix will ensure that all 30 teams play in all 30 arenas at least once a season.

WESTERN CONFERENCE                      EASTERN CONFERENCE

Division A      Division B                     Division C       Division D

Anaheim       Chicago                        Boston           Carolina

Calgary         Colorado                      Buffalo          Columbus

Edmonton     Dallas                          Detroit          New Jersey

Los Angeles   Minnesota                    Florida          NY Islanders

Phoenix         Nashville                     Montreal         NY Rangers

San Jose       St. Louis                      Ottawa           Philadelphia

Vancouver      Winnipeg                    Tampa Bay        Pittsburgh

                                                      Toronto          Washington

(NHL Release)