The NHL’s Western Conference has been the dominant conference in the NHL for a number of years now. For the last decade or more, there was very little basis for even a debate. However, over the past couple of seasons, there have been signs that the balance of power was undergoing a sizable shift from West to East. With a quarter of the season in the books, it’s becoming quite clear that there is a new sheriff in town.

As of Tuesday night, the Carolina Hurricanes have won five-straight games, and as a result, have joined every other Metropolitan Division team, with the exception of the New York Islanders, above the .500 mark. Current records for the Metropolitan Division:

In games within the Eastern Conference, the Metropolitan Division has an 18-16-13 record against the Atlantic Division.

Probably the most surprising stat is the Metropolitan Division’s record against the Western Conference. Each team in the Metropolitan Division has a .500 or better record against the Western Conference:

As the 2016-2017 season reaches the quarter pole, the Metropolitan Division is an impressive 40-17-10 against the Western Conference (through 11/22/16).

There is still plenty of season to go, but with a quarter of the games in the books, it’s pretty clear that the balance of power has shifted from the Western Conference to the Eastern Conference, and most notably, the Metropolitan Division.

By Jon Sorensen

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