These are my adjusted standings for the NHL as of March 6, 2012. The adjustments made are Wins = ROW, Losses = L + OTL - SOL, and Ties = SOL +SOW. All of this is based on the assumptions of no strategy changes in each individual game and based upon the W-L-T set-up prior to the lockout. Also please assume that even though 4 on 4 is played in the OT, that overtime is considered to be similar enough to real hockey to count as 2 points, no Bettman "loser" point. All shootouts are rendered as tie, dismissing the Bettman "winner" point.

Comparisons to the real standings are also part of the analysis.

Adjusted:

Eastern W-L-T Pts
NY Rangers 39-17-8 86
Philadelphia 34-23-7 75
Pittsburgh 31-23-11 73
Boston 31-24-9 71
Washington 31-30-4 66
Ottawa 29-31-7 65
Florida 27-27-11 65
New Jersey 26-26-13 65
Winnipeg 28-31-8 64
Tampa Bay 29-31-5 63
Toronto 27-32-6 60
Buffalo 24-32-10 58
Carolina 24-35-6 54
NY Islanders 23-35-8 54
Montreal 21-33-12 54

Western W-L-T Pts
St Louis 37-19-10 84
Vancouver 34-18-14 82
Detroit 36-21-9 81
Nashville 35-23-7 77
Chicago 32-28-7 71
Dallas 30-27-9 69
Phoenix 28-27-11 67
San Jose 27-28-9 63
Los Angeles 26-28-11 63
Colorado 27-32-8 62
Calgary 26-30-10 62
Anaheim 26-32-9 61
Minnesota 22-30-14 58
Edmonton 22-36-7 51
Columbus 17-40-8 42

Eastern Comparison Changes (Current to Adjusted):

New York Rangers 1st to 1st

Boston Bruins 2nd to 2nd

Florida Panthers 3rd to 7th

Pittsburgh Penguins 4th to 5th

Philadelphia Flyers 5th to 4th

New Jersey Devils 6th to 8th

Ottawa Senators 7th to 6th

Winnipeg Jets 8th to 9th

Washington Capitals 9th to 3rd

Tampa Bay Lightning 10th to 10th

Buffalo Sabres 11th to 12th

Toronto Maple Leafs 12th to 11th

New York Islanders 13th to 14th

Carolina Hurricanes 14th to 13th

Montreal Canadiens 15th to 15th

Western Comparison Changes (Current to Adjusted):

Vancouver Canucks 1st to 2nd

St. Louis Blues 2nd to 1st

Dallas Stars 3rd to 3rd

Detroit Red Wings 4th to 4th

Nashville Predators 5th to 5th

Chicago Blackhawks 6th to 6th

Phoenix Coyotes 7th to 7th

San Jose Sharks 8th to 8th

Los Angeles Kings 9th to 9th

Colorado Avalanche 10th to 10th

Calgary Flames 11th to 11th

Anaheim Ducks 12th to 12th

Minnesota Wild 13th to 13th

Edmonton Oilers 14th to 14th

Columbus Blue Jackets 15th to 15th

Bob's Analysis:

The Western Conference is pretty easy to see that only the top two seeds would exchange positions.

The Eastern Conference would have Philadelphia and Pittsburgh exchange home ice advantage (if the season were to end today); have Washington not only join the playoff ranks, but be in the division lead; Winnipeg out of playoff position; Florida move to the lower half of the playoff positioning, Ottawa gaining one spot; and New Jersey sliding to the last playoff position. This all means the Eastern Conference is more susceptible to the days gone by.

Bring back the ties!