The powerful minds of the NHL decided that it would make for even more compelling hockey if they changed up the playoff format for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

In the old days of the Campbell and Patrick Conferences, teams would square off one through four in the division with the winners of the respective division colliding in the conference final. They would compete for the privilege to play for Lord Stanley’s Cup.

The matchups are legendary as the rivalries that simmered in the regular season often boiled over in the playoffs. Familiarity indeed breeds contempt and with the new (but old) postseason setup, there are certainly going to be some rivalries that resemble old time hockey.

Here are some projected first round pairings that will be have both sides bristling with hate.

Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers

As the second and third seeds in the Metropolitan Division the Rangers and Flyers will square off in a redemption series. The two clubs stumbled out of the gate but managed to turn their respective seasons around. After starting the year as possible candidates to challenge Pittsburgh for division supremacy, the two clubs floundered through October before finding their way. The natural geographic rivalry between the two cities prevails through all the major sports and the NHL matchup is no exception.

Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings

Who would have guessed that two California teams would have made this list ten years ago? Make no mistake though, there is no love lost between the Ducks and Kings. The rise and sustained success of both clubs has made them a fixture in the playoffs and natural rivals within their Pacific Division. The San Jose Sharks could step in as a replacement for the Ducks if Anaheim manages to overtake the Sharks for the division title and a top two seed. If that is the case, expect the pleasantries between the clubs to be about the same. The laid back lifestyle of the west coast definitely does not spill over onto the ice surface, especially in the playoffs.

Chicago Blackhawks and Colorado Avalanche

With the defending champs reeling with injuries to their top two players (Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews) the Hawks could actually be the lower seed when these two meet up in the playoffs. Bad news for the Avs too as Matt Duchene will have an MRI on a knee injury suffered against San Jose on Saturday. This matchup will put the upstart Avalanche directly into the playoff fire against the reigning Stanley Cup champions.

Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings

There is certainly no love lost between these two clubs or their collective fan base. The move into the Eastern Conference gave these 2008 and 2009 Stanley Cup Final combatants a closer look at one another with four regular season meetings. The Penguins and Red Wings have struggled more than any other teams with injury this year. If these two clash in the playoffs there will certainly be less at stake, but no lack of intensity.