Atlantic Division Preview: An Introduction

Coming soon: My two part preview of the NHL's Atlantic Division for the 2013-2014 season!

The Atlantic Division was named after the lost continent of Atlantis because it is not bound by any sort of geographical logic.

Realignment Happened!  A Refresher

The Atlantic division is new!  There was an Atlantic Division, but when the NHL realigned its divisions none of the old Atlantic Division teams were put into the new Atlantic Division.  This may seem confusing.

The new Atlantic Division consists of the Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Buffalo Sabres, and Boston Bruins of the old Northeast Division, the Detroit Red Wings of the old Central Division, and because the NHL hates geography, the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers of the old Southeast division.

The three winners of the Atlantic Division are guaranteed to make the playoffs, while the rest of the division will compete with losers in the Metropolitan Division for two wildcards spots.  The Atlantic Division, and Metropolitan Division make up the Eastern Conference, which will be represented by 8 playoff teams.

Next: Atlantic Division Preview: The Bottom Four Teams

I promise this preview will be at least as good, accurate, and universally loved as the ESPN's 2013 NHL rankings...

http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/8-most-ridiculous-things-espn-2013-nhl-rankings-195752767--nhl.html