As we head into the stretch run of the 2021-22 season, PHR is excited to announce a new feature aimed at encouraging discourse between reader and writer. On Friday mornings (and perhaps even more often than that), we’ll post a topic of discussion that we think will draw out varied and interesting perspectives from both our commenters and the other staff writers.
For too long there has only been a couple of outlets for our readers to interact with the PHR staff. Live chats and mailbags offer a chance at some discussion, but also run the risk of being too crowded or even outdated by the time the answer arrives. With this new feature, we’re hoping to get weekly chatter going on a topic that normally would have to be brought into the spotlight by a reader before even being discussed.
Last week, the discussion centered around the Hart Trophy and what “Most Valuable Player” actually means. This time, let’s discuss the NHL’s playoff format and how it could be improved.
Is the current divisional structure the best way to go about playoff matchups? Would a 1-8, or even a 1-16 format be better? How can the league continue to improve the way the postseason is consumed, especially with the new ESPN broadcasting deal in the U.S.? This will be a free-flowing discussion that doesn’t have a lot of guidelines, so make sure you chime in and check regularly to continue the conversation.
Sorry this came out a little late guys, the Bossy news kind of took up my morning. If anyone wants to talk about him, feel free to also use this space for it.
As for the playoff format, my thoughts are thus. I know the design of the divisional structure was meant to build long-term rivalries, but I don’t really feel like it’s working. In fact, it seemed as though the playoff rivalries were even better before this format was introduced.
I’ll be honest though, the 1-16 idea is probably too far for me. I love the idea of the West and the East finally meeting in the finals, even if it does seem a bit funky some years thanks to the strong imbalance.
I wonder if there is a future with a play-in from 7-10, but it probably won’t be for some time. I would probably be against it at first, though I’m sure I would get used to it (like I did for 3v3 OT, which I was not a fan of at first).
The play in format is one that I really like.
I was devastated as a lifelong fan of the islanders and was very sad with the news this morning
I like the play in format for the playoffs where the 2 wild cards would play and the two teams that missed
For example
Caps vs Boston(winner plays Carolina, loser plays winner of other game)
Isles vs Blue jackets(winner plays loser of other game, loser eliminated)
This is what the nba is doing and I like it
Keeping it no worse than 1-8 certainly keeps rivalries alive; how many Toronto fans must thirst to encompass Boston’s ruin, after the last decade-plus?
But expanding the playoffs further? Gah, no. If anything, I’d be happy about them being contracted to 12 teams. (Which, of course, will never happen, but.)
Gee, the brackets haven’t turned the NHL into the new March Madness? Shocking.
I hate the current format (it’s absurd that we’ve been staring at a Pens vs. Rangers first round matchup for MONTHS, for ex.) with the same teams over and over.
I liked 1-8.
This is an unintended consequence I think, and one that I dislike the most. The fact that teams get locked into matchups with weeks or months left in the season. That’s no fun for anyone.
ESPN is garbage. Very few games. ESPN +, what a joke. Where did they find these announcers ? Playoffs structure is boring. Mix it up. Why not try 1 thru 16 ? See how it goes, if viewership is low, then try something else. I’m tired of seeing the same match-ups year after year. They changed up the draft lottery, why not playoff format?
It would definitely make some interesting matchups, the 1-16.
Right now, it would have the Panthers facing the Stars, the Hurricanes facing the Predators and the Maple Leafs facing the Oilers in round 1, for instance. In fact, it would have a ton of West vs East matchups.
How good would a Calgary-Boston round be! Maybe I’m coming around to the idea.
Personally, I would rather see 1-16. If the final 2 teams end up being from the East or West, so be it. Bottom line, you WANT the best two teams battling it out for the SC. The argument that the current system creates exciting rivalries has not really happened in my opinion. The one possible negative for 1-16 would be travel and broadcast times but that could be figured out.
Can you address the change in how games are officiated in the playoffs. In the past the style of play completely changed with the refs seeming to bend to allowing a more physical play style rather than calling the regular season rule book.
This outweighs any re-seeding scheme in my opinion.
What’s your opinion?
Sorry slightly off topic but still playoffs related.
Personally, I’m fine with the playoff format we have now, where we have eight from each conference play a best of 7, then four from each, and so on. I would prefer to go back to the seeding system of 1 vs. 8, 2 vs. 7, and so on for the entire conference My real problem with this current system is how we’re determining who gets these spots. Evidence: the entire East has been sealed for the last two months or so, save a very slight push by the Islanders in March. Meanwhile we have 4-6 teams pushing for 2-3 spots out in the West and could have tiebreakers decide playoff spots.
Now, I don’t really have a problem with, for example, the 2 and 3 seeds in the Metro play each other, but the 2 seed is the second best team in the conference and the 3 seed is the eighth best team in the conference, that’s fine to me. My issue comes when that 3 seed in the Metro is actually, say, the ninth best team in the conference, because there were Atlantic teams that were better, but didn’t fit into the playoff plan.
I would also add that what I do like out of this system, where it’s working well, is in the West this year. Right now, Nashville, LA, Dallas, and Vegas are fighting for a few spots. Nashville, to me, has been right about where they should be, but Vegas and Dallas have underperformed an now have to fight for a final spot the last couple weeks of the season. LA has over-performed (good for them), but now has injury issues and just has to fight to finish the job. That’s how it should have been.
In sum, just give me the top 8 in each conference and have them play the same playoffs we do now.
And sidebar: I don’t love a play-in, I don’t hate it. I would just prefer it’s best of 3 to get into what is otherwise the regular playoff system.
I like it the way it is now. I don’t need a play-in, and I think that it’s important to have divisional standings. These are the teams you play the most due to geographic location and these are the teams that you should be focused on besting to make the dance. There’s already 2 wild card spots for the squads who were good but came up just short.
As for expanding the playoffs, heck no. 50% of the league already makes it in.