NHL October 2013 Regular Season

New divisions, a few new rules, and a full season this year.

I hope that the hybrid icing works.

I’m really looking forward to this season, for a change. Leafs and Habs tonight!

I like the hybrid icing. I also like the additional space behind the net, and the smaller goalie pads.

I realize I am insane for caring about the pointless details of the first game of the year, But I didn’t get to see the Wings game since I was working.

But how did Quincy get the second star? Stats say he had no points, was -1 and committed a penalty and had 0 credited hits? Did he save a choking Kitten or something? Did anybody see they game and have an explanation?

I’m just a casual hockey fan in a location that doesn’t provide a lot of hockey coverage. What are the new divisions and what are the new rules?

Eastern Conference:

  • Atlantic Division
    Toronto
    Detroit
    Boston
    Florida
    Ottawa
    Tampa Bay
    Montreal
    Buffalo

  • Metropolitan Division
    Carolina
    Columbus
    New Jersey
    NY Islanders
    NY Rangers
    Pittsburgh
    Washington
    Philadelphia

Western Conference

  • Central Division
    Colorado
    Chicago
    Winnipeg
    Dallas
    Minnesota
    Nashville
    St. Louis
  • Pacific Division
    Calgary
    Los Angeles
    Phoenix
    San Jose
    Vancouver
    Edmonton
    Anaheim

The top 3 teams in each division make the playoffs, plus the two teams with next highest points in each conference. So, it’s possible that one division will have 3 teams in the playoffs and another division will have 5 teams make it.

There have been a few tweaks to the rules, most notably hybrid icing, which, as the name suggests, is a hybrid of the traditional touch icing, and the no-touch icing found in international play.

From here:

You can read about the other half dozen or so tweaks in that same link.

New hockey divisions

In addition to the change from six divisions to four, the bigger moves are Columbus and Detroit to the Eastern Conference and Winipeg (formerly Atlanta) to the West.

Playoffs will still be 16 teams but instead of the division winners plus wildcards, I think that it will be the top two in each division plus wildcards.

Rule changes involve a more shallow net (more room to skate behind it), shorter goalie pads, hybrid icing (if it is clear the defender is going to get to the puck, icing can be called without the high speed skate to the goal line). A rule that you can’t tuck your jersey (popularized by Gretzky) that has been on the books for years is going to be enforced this year. Ovechkin is probably the biggest name who routinely tucked his jersey.

ETA, what Leaffan said…

The Leafs remain unbeaten. :wink:

I’m going to keep saying that until it isn’t true any more.

Grabovski for the Caps is on pace for 243 goals and 324 points. :smiley:

Planning a parade down Sens mile? :slight_smile:

The Canes are undefeated as well. :slight_smile:

I don’t see how any of y’alls teams will get past Fleury, who leads all goaltenders in all categories on NHL’s website right now. Dude’s on fire!

That was one sweet save last night, when he grabbed it from right behind his back.

In sadder news, it looks like James Neal is out indefinetly.

Good game for the Sharks last night.

Important to point out that the base of the net is not just shallower, but considerably narrower as well, opening up more angles for passes out front. There’s a good overlay picture here.

The Canes play a good game, but fall apart with 16 seconds to go in the 3rd. On the bright side everything looked improved except the power play.

Every year I adopt a 'girlfriend" team to follow during the season from the Eastern Conference. This year, it is the Carolina Hurricanes. They look like they’ll be an interesting team to watch, I like both their goaltenders and Jeff Skinner is fun to watch.

When he’s healthy, Alexander Semin has a deadly shot. You don’t want him fighting … :smack:

At the end of last season I mentioned to keep an eye on Alex Chiasson. Well he just keeps scoring. Eight goals in his first nine career games including two in two so far this year.

I love that Patrick Roy nearly got into a fight and got fined $10,000 in his first game as an NHL coach. Can’t wait until the Red Wings game.