Yesterday, the NHL and NHLPA officially announced a 56 game season to begin on January 13th. As a part of the modified season, the league’s had to modify the traditional conference and divisional setup.
The Canadian teams won’t be able to cross the border (or vice versa), so they’ll be grouped together in the North Division. The East, which is comprised of the Bruins, Sabres, Devils, Islanders, Rangers, Flyers, Penguins, and Capitals, will be getting off light in the travel department but not in the competitiveness department. Only the top four teams can make it, so that means that the Bruins, Flyers, Pens, and Caps will be slugging it out with the Islanders and Rangers close on their heels.