2013–14 NHL season

Realignment and divisions

Before the 2013–14 season the NHL changed its structure from six divisions to four, creating two divisions in each conference. This realignment aimed to reduce travel, restore historical rivalries, and balance the number of teams in each division. The regular-season schedule and playoff qualification were adjusted to reflect the new alignment.

• Eastern Conference
  • Atlantic Division: Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs
  • Metropolitan Division: Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals
• Western Conference
  • Central Division: Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues, Winnipeg Jets
  • Pacific Division: Anaheim Ducks, Phoenix Coyotes, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames

Schedule, playoff format and Olympics

Teams played an 82-game regular-season schedule with a greater emphasis on intra-division matchups to intensify rivalries. Under the new playoff format, the top three teams in each division automatically qualified, and two additional wild-card spots per conference were awarded to the next best teams regardless of division. The NHL paused from February 9 to February 25 to permit participation by NHL players at the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. The decision to send NHL players to the Olympics was approved in an agreement involving league officials and international hockey authorities; many of the world's best players represented their countries in the Olympic tournament.

Playoffs and outcome

The 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs began in mid-April. The Los Angeles Kings emerged as the Stanley Cup champions, defeating the New York Rangers in the Final. The playoffs also marked a notable moment for Canadian franchises: for the first time since 1973, only one Canadian team qualified for the postseason, the Montreal Canadiens, reflecting a period when U.S.-based teams dominated the playoff field.

Significance and legacy

The 2013–14 season is remembered for its major structural change, the return of NHL talent to the Winter Olympics, and the Kings' capture of another Stanley Cup. Realignment reshaped traditional rivalries and travel patterns and introduced a divisional playoff emphasis that influenced team strategies. The Olympic break demonstrated the global reach of hockey and the NHL's role in international competition.

References and further reading

For official statistics, team rosters and game results consult league and international governing sources. The NHL's season page and associated historical summaries provide detailed game-by-game records and postseason bracket information. See also discussions of the realignment's long-term effects on scheduling and rivalries.

Season overview | NHL | Canadiens | All-Star | Olympics | Sochi | Russia | IIHF