Conference Disparities

[Al Bundy*]

Usually in the NHL, we see some inbalance in terms of divisions (i.e. Norris Division making only 2 SCF appearances, Southeast Division sometimes referred to as Southleast), but not always conferences.

Can you recall any years where there was a major disparity between two conferences?

Only one really stands out to me- 2002 Eastern Conference (that year, the Colorado/Detroit WCF was essentially seen by everyone as the real Cup Finals)

[Vancouver Blazers]

Right after expansion, where the 06 were in one conference with the expansion six in another. That has to be the most glaring example.

[reckoning]

1981-82. The first year of the NHL's realignment of the divisions and conferences that would be used for the 80s and 90s.

Only 2 of the 11 Campbell Conference teams finished above .500

[overpass]

In 1995, the Devils swept the Red Wings in the Stanley Cup finals, suggesting that the Wings' .729 winning percentage may have been inflated by playing all 48 games against the weak Western conference.

The following season, the Devils missed the playoffs with 86 points - a total that would have placed them fourth in the West.

[Hardyvan123]

Originally Posted by overpass

In 1995, the Devils swept the Red Wings in the Stanley Cup finals, suggesting that the Wings' .729 winning percentage may have been inflated by playing all 48 games against the weak Western conference.

The following season, the Devils missed the playoffs with 86 points - a total that would have placed them fourth in the West.

This is very likely as the Red Wings only scored 7 goals in the 4 game series but Vernon was dreadfull with a .854 save %.

The 48 game season might have altered the final standings a bit as well.

The following season was kind of funny as Detroit lost to the eventual SC champions Colorado who beat our Florida of all teams.

[nik jr]

Originally Posted by Hardyvan123

This is very likely as the Red Wings only scored 7 goals in the 4 game series but Vernon was dreadfull with a .854 save %.

The 48 game season might have altered the final standings a bit as well.

The following season was kind of funny as Detroit lost to the eventual SC champions Colorado who beat our Florida of all teams.

i don't think that sweep means much of anything about conference strength. DRW simply could not handle the trap, and vernon was pretty bad.

osgood had .859 in '96 WCF (roy was not at his best, and only around .906), and vernon had .864 in '96 playoffs.

goaltending was generally a problem in that period. it is very common to credit the trade for shahanan, and to say DRW were too soft (imo, a hugely overblown idea), but teams win few games with .860 goaltending.


but vernon had .927 in '97 playoffs, and hextall's poor play was a big part of the finals.

[begbeee]

During DPE Western c. was arguably better than East. Detroit, Colorado and Dallas were powerhouses and there was only one team on the East which was able to defeat them - NJ. Of course this shows only high-end level and tells nothing about how much were conferences stacked. I.e. today is Western arguably more stacked but high-end level teams are comparable.

[JaymzB]

In 83-84, the Oilers were the only team in the Campbell Conference to have a winning record against the Wales.

Between 81-82 & 87-88, only once (84-85) did the Campbell have more the 3 teams with a winning record against the Wales.