Western Conference (NHL)

The Western Conference is one of the two Conferences in the highest North American Hockey League, the National Hockey League ( NHL). It contains a total of 14 of the 30 teams in the NHL and is further divided into two divisions: in the Pacific Division and the Central Division.

History

The Western Conference has existed since the 1993/94 season under its current name, which was given to it to (eg NBA) to equalize the NHL at the geographical name system other U.S. sports leagues. The Western Conference is the successor to the Campbell Conference, which was established in 1974 /75 as the NHL after progressive expansion was too big for two divisions.

By 1998 there were only two divisions and a division -based play-off mode where the four best teams of a division to win the division and then the two winners playing for the conference title. With further expansion of NHL that was no longer possible. Thus, the Northwest Division was added in 1998/ 99 and introduced another play-off mode, in which the three division winners are set directly and the remaining five seats were filled with the highest point totals in all divisions.

With the start of the 2013/14 season the existing concept was changed again. Through the addition of new teams such as the Minnesota Wild and the Columbus Blue Jackets as well as the relocation of the Atlanta Thrashers to Winnipeg, the new geographical distribution made ​​a reorganization necessary. For this, the Northwest Division was disbanded; also changed the Detroit Red Wings and the Columbus Blue Jackets in the Eastern Conference, while the Winnipeg Jets exchanged in the other direction. Thus, 14 teams found in the Western Conference, which were divided into seven teams on the two remaining divisions (Pacific and Central).

This restructuring also changed the allocation of the play-off places. In the now two divisions, the first three teams qualify directly after the conclusion of the regular season for the play- offs, while the remaining two places are filled with the most points from the two divisions. Thus, it is also possible that a Division provides five teams for the play-offs and the other three.

Team

Central Division:

Pacific Division:

Winner

601914
de