NHL moving to a 4 Conference format after realignment

Due to the Atlanta Thrashers moving to Winnipeg, the NHL decided they had to do some realigning since it didn't make sense to have a team that plays in Canada in the Southeast division.

So this is what the NHL came up with.  Starting in the 2012-2013 season the NHL will consist of four conferences (formerly two conferences and three divisions in each) that are made up by region (with the exception of Tampa Bay and Florida are in with northeastern teams).  Another thing that changed is the playoff format.  Playoff teams will be the top four teams in each conference.  The first two rounds will be playoff series that will be played against in conference teams.  The winner out of each conference will play the other winners out of the conference.

Picture showing what team is in what conference starting in the 2012-2013 season

Personally, I like the realignment and playoff formats.  With this playoff format we will be seeing rivalries galore in the first two rounds.  Who doesn't wanna see Flyers vs Rangers, Caps vs Pens, Bruins vs Canadiens, Blackhawks vs Red Wings, Ducks vs Kings in the playoffs?  Already intense rivalries will get even more intense during the playoffs while emotions are running high.  Also, with the realignment each team will play each other at least twice and they will be home and home.  So that means that fans out west who may not see the stars on the east coast, will now see them at least once a year now.

Ever since the NHL missed a complete season due to the lockout, all hockey fans has been critical of and hated NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, but I must say this is the best and smartest thing he has done for the game of hockey.