NHL Realignment: Detroit Red Wings and Which of the 4 Divisions They Land In

It might be the most talked about subject over the next year in the NHL—division realignment.

Many ideas have been thrown around. Some think the same division structure should be kept with the Detroit Red Wings, Columbus Blue Jackets or Nashville Predators moving east, while others think a North/South Conference structure is better suited for the NHL.

The current structure of the NHL's divisions features six, five team divisions. The teams play six games against their division rivals, four games against conference rivals, and 18 games against teams of the opposite conference.

The best solution for the NHL is to keep the Eastern and Western Conferences, but to cut themselves down to four divisions.

The four divisions would play five games against other teams in their division, three games against the other division in their conference, and five to seven extra games against rivals within their conference.

Against the opposite conference, the teams would play each team once, plus six extra inter-conference rival games. Original Six teams will play each other twice a season. So four of Detroit and the Chicago Blackhawks' six inter-conference rival games would be against New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens.

This system may sound complicated, but the following slideshow should give you a relatively good idea of how the system would work.

Eastern Conference: Mario Lemieux Division

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PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 31: Mario Lemieux #66 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates against the Washington Capitals during the 2011 NHL Winter Classic Alumni Game on December 31, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/G

Lemieux is the greatest to ever lace up a pair of skates for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Some will even argue he was better than The Great One.

Lemieux's dominance on the ice and his off-ice victory in a battle with Hodgkin's Lymphoma earns him the right to have a division named after him.

1. Pittsburgh Penguins

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 01: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins looks on while playing against the Washington Capitals during the 2011 NHL Bridgestone Winter Classic at Heinz Field on January 1, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jami

Conference: Eastern Conference

Division: Mario Lemieux Division

Games vs. Division: 30

Games vs. Opposite Division: 24

Games vs. Eastern Conference Rivals: Seven vs. Philadelphia Flyers, Washington Capitals and Boston Bruins

Games vs. Western Conference: 15

Games vs. Western Conference Rivals: Six

2. Philadelphia Flyers

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 30: Chris Pronger #20 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates against the Boston Bruins in Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Wells Fargo Center on April 30, 2011 in Philadelph

Conference: Eastern Conference

Division: Mario Lemieux Division

Games vs. Division: 30

Games vs. Opposite Division: 24

Games vs. Eastern Conference Rivals: Seven vs. Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators

Games vs. Western Conference: 15

Games vs. Western Conference Rivals: Six

3. Washington Capitals

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TAMPA, FL - MAY 03: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals scores a power play goal at 17:27 of the second period against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at St Pete

Conference: Eastern Conference

Division: Mario Lemieux Division

Games vs. Division: 30

Games vs. Opposite Division: 24

Games vs. Eastern Conference Rivals: Seven vs. Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils

Games vs. Western Conference: 15

Games vs. Western Conference Rivals: Six

4. Tampa Bay Lightning

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BOSTON, MA - MAY 27: Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning returns to the game after being hit in the face with a puck in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Bruins during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden

Conference: Eastern Conference

Division: Mario Lemieux Division

Games vs. Division: 30

Games vs. Opposite Division: 24

Games vs. Eastern Conference Rivals: Seven vs. Florida Panthers, Boston Bruins and Carolina Hurricanes

Games vs. Western Conference: 15

Games vs. Western Conference Rivals: Six

5. Carolina Hurricanes

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BUFFALO, NY - MARCH 15: Eric Staal #12 of the Carolina Hurricanes streches during warm ups prior to play against the Buffalo Sabres at HSBC Arena on March 15, 2011 in Buffalo, New York. Carolina won 1-0. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Conference: Eastern Conference

Division: Mario Lemieux Division

Games vs. Division: 30

Games vs. Opposite Division: 24

Games vs. Eastern Conference Rivals: Seven vs. Nashville Predators, Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers

Games vs. Western Conference: 15

Games vs. Western Conference Rivals: Six

6. Florida Panthers

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NEW YORK - MARCH 22: Tomas Vokoun #29 of the Florida Panthers skates against the New York Rangers on March 22, 2011 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Rangers defeated the Islanders 1-0. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

Conference: Eastern Conference

Division: Mario Lemieux Division

Games vs. Division: 30

Games vs. Opposite Division: 24

Games vs. Eastern Conference Rivals: Seven vs. Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning and Nashville Predators

Games vs. Western Conference: 15

Games vs. Western Conference Rivals: Six

7. Nashville Predators

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ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 15: Shea Weber #6 of the Nashville Predators looks on prior to the start of Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Anaheim Ducks during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on April 15, 2011 in Anahe

Conference: Eastern Conference

Why They Move East: With the Thrashers leaving, Nashville is the easiest team to move to fill the void of a team located in the Southeast. Also, moving Detroit or Columbus would create a realignment problem because one of the teams in the New York rivalry (Rangers/Islanders/Devils) would have to be separated from the other two.

Division: Mario Lemieux Division

Games vs. Division: 30

Games vs. Opposite Division: 24

Games vs. Eastern Conference Rivals: Seven vs. Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes and New York Islanders

Games vs. Western Conference: 15

Games vs. Western Conference Rivals: Six

Eastern Conference: Bobby Orr Division

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BOSTON, MA - MAY 23: A sculpture of Bobby Orr stands in front of TD Garden prior to Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 23, 2011 in Boston, Massachus

Bobby Orr is considered by most to be the greatest defender of all time. His remarkable season of 139 points and plus-124 would certainly support that argument.

1. Boston Bruins

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VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 04: Mark Recchi #28 of the Boston Bruins celebrates with his teammates Zdeno Chara #33 and Patrice Bergeron #37 after scoring a goal in the second period against Roberto Luongo #1 of the Vancouver Canucks during Game Two of the 2011

Conference: Eastern Conference

Division: Bobby Orr Division

Games vs. Division: 35

Games vs. Opposite Division: 21

Games vs. Eastern Conference Rivals: Five vs. Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning

Games vs. Western Conference: 15

Games vs. Western Conference Rivals: Six

2. New York Rangers

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 20: Goalie Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers skates towards the net with his helmet off against the Washington Capitals in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madis

Conference: Eastern Conference

Division: Bobby Orr Division

Games vs. Division: 35

Games vs. Opposite Division: 21

Games vs. Eastern Conference Rivals: Five vs. Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders and Washington Capitals

Games vs. Western Conference: 15

Games vs. Western Conference Rivals: Six

3. New York Islanders

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UNIONDALE, NY - MARCH 24: Michael Grabner #40 of the New York Islanders skates during an NHL hockey game against the Atlanta Thrashers at the Nassau Coliseum on March 24, 2011 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

Conference: Eastern Conference

Division: Bobby Orr Division

Games vs. Division: 35

Games vs. Opposite Division: 21

Games vs. Eastern Conference Rivals: Five vs. New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers and Buffalo Sabres

Games vs. Western Conference: 15

Games vs. Western Conference Rivals: Six

4. New Jersey Devils

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NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 06: Ilya Kovalchuk #17 of the New Jersey Devils skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Prudential Center on April 6, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Conference: Eastern Conference

Division: Bobby Orr Division

Games vs. Division: 35

Games vs. Opposite Division: 21

Games vs. Eastern Conference Rivals: Five vs. New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres and Washington Capitals

Games vs. Western Conference: 15

Games vs. Western Conference Rivals: Six

5. Buffalo Sabres

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 26: Ryan Miller #30 of the Buffalo Sabres reacts during their game against the Philadelphia Flyers in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on April 26,

Conference: Eastern Conference

Division: Bobby Orr Division

Games vs. Division: 35

Games vs. Opposite Division: 21

Games vs. Eastern Conference Rivals: Five vs. New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Islanders

Games vs. Western Conference: 15

Games vs. Western Conference Rivals: Six

6. Ottawa Senators

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NEWARK, NJ - FEBRUARY 01: Daniel Alfredsson #11 of the Ottawa Senators waits for a faceoff in an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on February 1, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

Conference: Eastern Conference

Division: Bobby Orr Division

Games vs. Division: 35

Games vs. Opposite Division: 21

Games vs. Eastern Conference Rivals: Five vs. Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers and Montreal Canadiens

Games vs. Western Conference: 15

Games vs. Western Conference Rivals: Six

7. Montreal Canadiens

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MONTREAL, QC - APRIL 18: P.K. Subban #76 of the Montreal Canadiens has words with teammate Carey Price #31 after going down two goals to the Boston Bruins in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at B

Conference: Eastern Conference

Division: Bobby Orr Division

Games vs. Division: 35

Games vs. Opposite Division: 21

Games vs. Eastern Conference Rivals: Five vs. Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators

Games vs. Western Conference: 15

Games vs. Western Conference Rivals: Six

8. Toronto Maple Leafs

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NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 06: Phil Kessel #81 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on April 6, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Conference: Eastern Conference

Division: Bobby Orr Division

Games vs. Division: 35

Games vs. Opposite Division: 21

Games vs. Eastern Conference Rivals: Five vs. Buffalo Sabres, Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens

Games vs. Western Conference: 15

Games vs. Western Conference Rivals: Six

Western Conference: Wayne Gretzky Division

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 08: Wayne Gretzky looks on as Robin Soderling of Sweden plays against Roger Federer of Switzerland during their men's singles quarterfinal match on day ten of the 2010 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on

Gretzky is widely recognized as the best player hockey has ever seen, hence the name "The Great One."

If you look at most records in the NHL, Gretzky's name will usually be on the top.

He played for two teams in the Gretzky division, the Edmonton Oilers and the LA Kings.

1. Edmonton Oilers

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DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 23: Taylor Hall #4 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrates his second period goal against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center on February 23, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Conference: Western Conference

Division: Wayne Gretzky Division

Games vs. Division: 35

Games vs. Opposite Division: 21

Games vs. Western Conference Rivals: Five vs. Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames and Winnipeg Jets

Games vs. Eastern Conference: 15

Games vs. Eastern Conference Rivals: Six

2. Calgary Flames

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GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 10: Jarome Iginla #12 of the Calgary Flames skates with the puck during the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on March 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Flames 3-0. (Photo by Christian P

Conference: Western Conference

Division: Wayne Gretzky Division

Games vs. Division: 35

Games vs. Opposite Division: 21

Games vs. Western Conference Rivals: Five vs. Winnipeg Jets, Edmonton Oilers and Minnesota Wild

Games vs. Eastern Conference: 15

Games vs. Eastern Conference Rivals: Six

3. Vancouver Canucks

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VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 04: Ryan Kesler #17 and Kevin Bieksa #3 of the Vancouver Canucks take to the ice prior to playing against the Boston Bruins in Game Two of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Arena on June 4, 2011 in Vancouver, British Columbia,

Conference: Western Conference

Division: Wayne Gretzky Division

Games vs. Division: 35

Games vs. Opposite Division: 21

Games vs. Western Conference Rivals: Five vs. Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets and Edmonton Oilers

Games vs. Eastern Conference: 15

Games vs. Eastern Conference Rivals: Six

4. Anaheim Ducks

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ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 15: Ryan Getzlaf #15 of the Anaheim Ducks skates against the Nashville Predators in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on April 15, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (

Conference: Western Conference

Division: Wayne Gretzky Division

Games vs. Division: 35

Games vs. Opposite Division: 21

Games vs. Western Conference Rivals: Five vs. San Jose Sharks, Phoenix Coyotes and LA Kings

Games vs. Eastern Conference: 15

Games vs. Eastern Conference Rivals: Six

5. San Jose Sharks

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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 22: Joe Thornton #19 of the San Jose Sharks skates away from Maxim Lapierre #40 of the Vancouver Canucks in Game Four of the Western Conference Finals during the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs at HP Pavilion on May 22, 2011 in San Jose, Ca

Conference: Western Conference

Division: Wayne Gretzky Division

Games vs. Division: 35

Games vs. Opposite Division: 21

Games vs. Western Conference Rivals: Five vs. Detroit Red Wings, Anaheim Ducks and LA Kings

Games vs. Eastern Conference: 15

Games vs. Eastern Conference Rivals: Six

6. Phoenix Coyotes

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GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 20: Shane Doan #19 of the Phoenix Coyotes walks off the ice after being defeated by the Detroit Red Wings in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Jobing.com Arena on April 20,

Conference: Western Conference

Division: Wayne Gretzky Division

Games vs. Division: 35

Games vs. Opposite Division: 21

Games vs. Western Conference Rivals: Five vs. Colorado Avalanche, Anaheim Ducks and LA Kings

Games vs. Eastern Conference: 15

Games vs. Eastern Conference Rivals: Six

7. Colorado Avalanche

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GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 01: Paul Stastny #26 of the Colorado Avalanche awaits a face off during the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on April 1, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Avalanche defeated the Coyotes 4-3 in an overtime shoot

Conference: Western Conference

Division: Wayne Gretzky Division

Games vs. Division: 35

Games vs. Opposite Division: 21

Games vs. Western Conference Rivals: Five vs. Phoenix Coyotes, Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues

Games vs. Eastern Conference: 15

Games vs. Eastern Conference Rivals: Six

8. LA Kings

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DETROIT, MI - MARCH 9: Anze Kopitar #11 of the Los Angeles Kings skates with the puck in a game against the Detroit Red Wings on March 9, 2011 at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The Kings defeated the Wings 2-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty I

Conference: Western Conference

Division: Wayne Gretzky Division

Games vs. Division: 35

Games vs. Opposite Division: 21

Games vs. Western Conference Rivals: Five vs. San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks and Phoenix Coyotes

Games vs. Eastern Conference: 15

Games vs. Eastern Conference Rivals: Six

Western Conference: Gordie Howe Division

Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images

MONTREAL- DECEMBER 4: Gordie Howe speaks to fans during the Centennial Celebration ceremonies prior to the NHL game between the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins on December 4, 2009 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Canadiens defeat

Gordie Howe was one of the toughest, most skilled players to ever play in the NHL. Anybody who questions this fact can look up the definition of a Gordie Howe Hat-Trick.

1. Detroit Red Wings

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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 12: Henrik Zetterberg #40, Pavel Datsyuk #13, and Nicklas Lidstrom #5 of the Detroit Red Wings talk to each other before a face off against the San Jose Sharks in Game Seven of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NHL Stan

Conference: Western Conference

Why They Stay West: The obvious answer to this is that the west needs the Wings too much, but it's also because it would make realignment in the east much harder, and it's kind of hard to name it the "Gordie Howe Division" if the team he played for isn't even in it...

Division: Gordie Howe Division

Games vs. Division: 30

Games vs. Opposite Division: 24

Games vs. Western Conference Rivals: Seven vs. Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets and San Jose Sharks

Games vs. Eastern Conference: 15

Games vs. Eastern Conference Rivals: Six

2. Columbus Blue Jackets

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 24: Rick Nash #61 of the Columbus Blue Jackets during the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on March 24, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Blue Jackets 3-0. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Gett

Conference: Western Conference

Why They Stay West: Columbus heavily benefits off division games with Detroit and Chicago, and moving them east would make the Eastern Conference division realignment that much harder.

Division: Gordie Howe Division

Games vs. Division: 30

Games vs. Opposite Division: 24

Games vs. Western Conference Rivals: Seven vs. Detroit Red Wings, Vancouver Canucks and St. Louis Blues

Games vs. Eastern Conference: 15

Games vs. Eastern Conference Rivals: Six

3. Minnesota Wild

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ST PAUL, MN - MARCH 22: Martin Havlat #24 of the Minnesota Wild skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Xcel Energy Center on March 22, 2011 in St Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Conference: Western Conference

Division: Gordie Howe Division

Games vs. Division: 30

Games vs. Opposite Division: 24

Games vs. Western Conference Rivals: Seven vs. Winnipeg Jets, Dallas Stars and Calgary Flames

Games vs. Eastern Conference: 15

Games vs. Eastern Conference Rivals: Six

4. Dallas Stars

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 02: Brad Richards #91 of the Dallas Stars skates against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on April 2, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Conference: Western Conference

Division: Gordie Howe Division

Games vs. Division: 30

Games vs. Opposite Division: 24

Games vs. Western Conference Rivals: Seven vs. Minnesota Wild, Colorado Avalanche and St. Louis Blues

Games vs. Eastern Conference: 15

Games vs. Eastern Conference Rivals: Six

5. St. Louis Blues

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

UNIONDALE, NY - MARCH 05: Chris Stewart #25 of the St. Louis Blues skates against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Coliseum on March 5, 2011 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Conference: Western Conference

Division: Gordie Howe Division

Games vs. Division: 30

Games vs. Opposite Division: 24

Games vs. Western Conference Rivals: Seven vs. Chicago Blackhawks, Dallas Stars and Columbus Blue Jackets

Games vs. Eastern Conference: 15

Games vs. Eastern Conference Rivals: Six

6. Chicago Blackhawks

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 24: Joanthan Toews #19 of the Chicago Blackhawks watches the replay board after a call against the Vancouver Canucks in Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center on A

Conference: Western Conference

Division: Gordie Howe Division

Games vs. Division: 30

Games vs. Opposite Division: 24

Games vs. Western Conference Rivals: Seven vs. Detroit Red Wings, Vancouver Canucks and St. Louis Blues

Games vs. Eastern Conference: 15

Games vs. Eastern Conference Rivals: Six

7. Winnipeg Jets

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 20: Fans dressed in Winnipeg Jets uniforms attend Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals between the Detroit Red Wings and the Phoenix Coyotes during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Jobing.com Arena on April 20, 2011

Conference: Western Conference

Division: Gordie Howe Division

Games vs. Division: 30

Games vs. Opposite Division: 24

Games vs. Western Conference Rivals: Seven vs. Minnesota Wild, Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers

Games vs. Eastern Conference: 15

Games vs. Eastern Conference Rivals: Six