NHL 2021-22 Atlantic Division Preview

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, hockey fans of all ages: the NHL that we know is back. 82 games, an October-April stretch, an All-Star break, and yes, normal divisions. The localized divisions from the abbreviated 2020-21 campaign were fun to watch, but I am happy that the normal divisions and conferences are back, because each of the four divisions have a historical connection. Each of these divisions were formed in the 2013-14 season, with the NHL realigning the divisions for the first time since the 1998-99 season--the year that kicked off the NHL's six-division format.

Here's how the Atlantic Division was formed. The NHL kept the old five-team Northeast Division together (Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Montréal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, and Toronto Maple Leafs), and put them with the Southeast Division's Florida teams (Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning) and the Detroit Red Wings from the Western Conference's Central Division. The Red Wings were one of three teams who switched conferences in the 2013-14 season, as they and the Columbus Blue Jackets went from West to East, while the Winnipeg Jets went from East to West. The Atlantic Division is similar to the old Adams Division, which also featured the Bruins, Sabres, and Canadiens, but also featured the Hartford Whalers and the Quebec Nordiques.

In the seasons that have passed since the current Atlantic Division was formed, the Lightning and Bruins have been the class of the division. They've played in four Stanley Cup Finals since the 2013-14 season, including the last three, with Tampa Bay winning the last two. That is the main subject in the Atlantic: the Lightning becoming a juggernaut before our very eyes. Remember when the Bolts suffered that embarrassing collapse in 2019? That seems to be fading rapidly now. That loss triggered the Lightning, and what we're seeing from them could be something that hasn't been seen since the old Edmonton Oilers from the latter half of the 1980s.

If there is a close third to the Lightning and the Bruins, it's the Maple Leafs. The Leafs are coming off winning the all-Canadian North Division--their first division title since 2000. They are also coming off yet another disappointing playoff performance, and with the amount of scrutiny and ridicule the North Division received, what happened to the Leafs last year will further convince naysayers that this team won't survive the normal Atlantic Division. It also didn't help the Leafs that the Canadiens--the team who ousted the Leafs in Round 1--went all the way to the Stanley Cup Final. It should be interesting to see what's next from both teams, especially the Habs, who fell three wins short of winning #25. And then there's the Panthers, who truly showed that they are a force to be dealt with in the NHL, but they still have that terrible attribute: no playoff series wins since 1996.

As for the rest of the division, the Senators, Red Wings, and Sabres are the teams who have been bringing up the rear as of late. Though, entering this season, there is some optimism in Ottawa and Detroit. The Wings appear to be on the rise and have picked up some key names, and Ottawa actually avoided last place in the North Division, so there's that. Buffalo? Well...at least they have the Bills...and Jack Eichel (sort of).

With everything else, the playoff qualification rules also return. Top three in each division qualify, totalling six guaranteed spots in each conference. The other two spots are decided via a Wild Card format, regardless of division. Regarding the Atlantic, the Lightning, Bruins, and Leafs should be their top three yet again, though if I'm a Leafs fan, I'd want Boston in that #1 position (just saying). The Canadiens should return as one of the Eastern Conference's Wild Cards, and I say this in spite of how well the Panthers performed during the previous season; I know making the Final one year doesn't amount to a hill of beans in the following season, but I can't see Montréal missing the playoffs this season. I do know this: Detroit will make it difficult for the Habs this season.

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