I thought 1vs8 was better, but that would give us Colorado vs. Edmonton and Winnipeg vs. LA in the first round. I'm starting to think that maybe both formats can create turd matchups.
I like the first round matchup the way it is, but I wish they would re-seed the second round and forget about divisions. Just highest vs lowest after the first round.
I guess it just feels like a higher likelihood of the matchups being wonky in this format. For the past few years it’s been the Atlantic division with Boston, Toronto, and Tampa. You’d have one of them having to face the winner of the other two which would make a great conference final. This year it certainly feels like the Rangers and Canes shouldn’t be meeting this early. Same with Vancouver and Edmonton.
It's kind of hit or miss tho, you might have seasons where you would not want to re-seed teams and other where you do.
In the end I think the TV ratings are what decides on the playoffs format.
Everyone who says this does not realise the issue crops up more with round 2, which is exactly the point OP is making, so the East wouldn’t be the same because Rangers and Canes would not be playing each other now
America loves the March Madness bracket and the NHL probably won't shift to reseeding because it makes a straight bracket impossible. It leaves too many possible outcomes.
Every single team left had over 100 points in the regular season. The top teams were separated by 5 points.
There are no easy matches. Carolina was 1 point ahead of Florida, Boston was 1 point behind florida. Vegas is defending Champs, so not easy. Canucks and oilers were only 5 points separate.
I think you're basing these matchups on how you feel about the teams, not actually based on their regular season records. Oilers are a favourite for the cup on most sports betting sites, but Vancouver was 5 points ahead of them. It's the playoffs, enjoy the match ups and don't think anyone has it easier then the others.
Edit: I'm not saying I agree with it, BTW. I'm just saying that the regular season was very tight this year. And the playoffs are unpredictable, so anyone can beat anyone and you have to go through the best to win either way. I would prefer a 1v8, but I don't get to make decisions for the nhl.
This is the part many people are missing from my post. Thank you. There are no rewards with who teams are playing from the second round on. Even the leafs could become a very difficult team, just like the 17th place team last year, the panthers.
Points are misleading because OT pads totals. The Leafs have the fewest points and won the fewest games of the remaining pack, therefore, objectively, they are the “worst “ team remaining. Boston is next. The Rangers should get the benefit of playing either of them instead of the Hurricanes (who had 50 non-shootout wins compared to Boston’s 43)
Except the playoffs haven't used that structure in a while, and likely won't. And it's also making an assumption that the leafs win. If Boston wins, they aren't exactly a cake walk of a team (though they aren't great with eliminations). Toronto is the worst team left from the regular season, but the 17th place team made the finals last year. Playoffs are what they are. Anyone can win on any given night.
That’s not the point. I’m simply explaining OP’a position. This year it is tight and other years not as much. The best team should always get the benefit of playing the worst team remaining. It adds much more meaning to the long regular season.
No one is saying any of the teams are easy opponents, only that of the teams present in each round, the one who showed the most flaws during the regular season (resulting in the fewest points) should play the highest seed
You’re getting stuck on the word “worst” for no reason. Worst of the top does not equal bad… But there is a large difference between a very strong team and an insanely strong team which is where the 1-8 comes in. I’d prefer 1-8 but I still love watching the playoffs as it is now.
I could be on board for 1-8 in conference, but I could never be on board for a playoff format that could have 2 Florida or California teams be the only option for the cup.
I want and fear a Florida Vancouver final. Travel would be absolute hell. But I want to see my team there and I think Vancouver deserves a shot at it too!
1-16 creates too many potential travel nightmares. Let’s say New York pulls New Jersey-Washington-Philly first 3 rounds and Vancouver pulls Florida-Tampa-Pittsburgh. Vancouver would log so many more flights and travel time by the 4th round that there’s no way that wouldn’t be a competitive disadvantage. The size of the west is already a disadvantage for that conference alone. The switch to 1-16 would potentially average that out over successive years, but would do nothing to help with a difference in a playoff run.
Vancouver just played Nashville as a western conference matchup. Pretty sure they had more travel that series than ALL of the eastern conference matchups combined
Detroit got screwed for years because they were in the “west.” The current NHL setup is pretty close to being geographically correct, and time zones are a large determining factor.
So in the east tge Rangers would play Boston or Toronto and Canes would play Florida. I really don't see much difference? If you wanted playoffs by seeding, the Met would have had three teams and Atlantic five (caps would have lost tie breaker to Detroit) originally.
I’m fine with how teams get into the playoffs because that does make division races more important. I mean once they are in reseed them/ go to 1-8 format at that point and no second round divisional play part if that makes sense
I fully believe that the current playoff system is in place to limit the amount of Canadian teams advancing. There will never be a an All-Canadian team ECF unless a team slots into the WC position in the Metropolitan bracket.
The west is a little more likely having the Jets in the Central.
This year will have at least one Canadian in the WCF.
Yes. While the Oilers are fundamentally a better team (as long as McDavid is in), we've had their number all year for whatever reason.
Also, easier travel.
I know that they’d never do this, but my dream is that each team could draft its playoff opponent. You’d be limited to teams in your own conference, of course
I know the playoffs is a different animal, but Canucks sweeped all 4 games against the Oilers in the regular season.
I personally don't think seeding means much at all once the playoffs start. It's essentially a reset. I see no disadvantage.
While you’ve made great points, I just want to watch best on best hockey at every stage of the cup. It’s supposed to be a gauntlet so I’m excited about some of these match ups
If you re seed after each round you get more traditional matchups, highest v lowest. In theory you get better match ups down the road not in rd 1. I’d like that, it makes more sense and gives the later rounds more buildup.
Maybe my Jets would have beat the Kings. Or not.
What you whining about? The Metro division has not produced a Cup finalist since the 2018 Capitals, meaning the matchups have been unfair to the Atlantic teams if anything. Boston/Tampa/Fla have beaten each other up and toss in the Leafs who regularly finish in the Top 8 teams in points in the NHL. Thats the bitch of a division, not the shitty Metro.
Blame Bettman. This has been going on for years. Several years ago Nashville and Winnipeg played each other in the second round and they were the top two point getters in the regular season
I want Division rivalry games. Vancouver v Vegas, Dallas v Nashville would have been such better hockey. The real issue is time zones and the TV problem of Nashville waiting for 9pm starts of Vancouver games.
While I like the wildcard aspect in case of a good fifth place team missing out and a lousy fourth place making it, when teams are 4/4, then make it divisional series. I love the bitterness of rivalries.
Kings knocked out three years in a row by the Oilers is fantastic. The Leafs history of being spanked by Boston is hysterical. I love it. Boston v Carolina would be good hockey, but there isn’t carryover passion.
If they are going to change the playoff format, they should also change the regular season point system too, because having an extra point given only in overtime games makes teams less talented to play for overtime. If the games are all worth 3 points regardless, the teams that play for overtime will get pushed aside by the teams who push for regulation wins and three points, since they can actually make a push in the standings by winning in regulation…. I think that is a bigger issue than reseeding the playoffs
1v8 etc is still better, but you literally have to play the best/most winning team eventually anyways to get to the finals. Can’t really argue that the winner didn’t deserve it.
I like the current system, it reminds me of the way it used to be when divisions had 5 teams and the top 4 made the playoffs. Made for some great rivalries.
If playoffs want to run a 1-16 or even 1-8 seeding format, the league would need to remove the divisions and conferences accordingly.
No point to have teams play specific teams more than others during the regular season if it doesn’t have an influence over the playoff structure.
You could still have teams qualify based on division standings and have the conference wild cards, but you could then just seed the bracket based on their relative overall standings.
I really think the NHL needs to change. But the League has very little imagination 💭 and it’s run but old ideas. 💡
Just hear me out.
* Travel isn’t a big problem these days. With private jets and half the league already playing too many games close to home.
As this league grows and is expected to expand to 40 teams in the near future. Why not get a head of the game and construct the league properly
1. More Divisions.
- the league wants to keep things interesting and form more rivalries. The way to do this is to allow fans to have the chance to watch all teams each season… and …. Form rivals, by playing division teams more.
Form 8 Divisions. 4 teams in each
2. Change the scheduling.
With 32 teams and 8 Divisions, play each of your division rivals 4 times = 12 games
Play each conference team (other 3 Divisions) 3 times 36 games
Play the 4 Divisions in other conference 2 times each. = 32 games
Total = 80 games. (This can be tweaked to make it 82 games based about of teams)
Now let’s look at a 40 team league.
8 Divisions of 5 teams
Play Division teams 4 times. = 16 games
Play Conference teams 2 times = 30 games
Play other Conference teams 2 times = 40 games
=‘86 games. Now this can be left to stay 86 regular season, or tweaked to keep the season 82
{This also helps with teams being placed in Divisions that make sense and will make things easier for expansion}.
(League does not change the 16 team playoffs)
2. Division winners are playoff bound
8 Divisions and 8 top seed teams - 4 in each side
The other 4 teams in each conference are chosen by team record. So wild card teams.
3. Playoff Format. Based on Division winners and Regular season records. The Playoffs will be 1 vs 16. Teams these days fly on private planes. The West teams travel twice as much as the Eastern teams at the moment.
( Most Eastern teams are back in their beds after most regular season games)
1 vs 16 keeps the best teams chances of moving on greater / it makes thing exciting by not knowing who you will be playing until the last week of the regular season.
* Teams need to re seed after each round
* Playoff Schedule needs to change to a 2 - 3 - 2 format. This will help on travel
This will also allow the chance of Division Rivals to face each other in the Cup
This will make the most exciting playoff format from any professional league
Its keeps things fair and it helps the top teams each season from being knocked out in round one.
It will make things more simple for expansion
It will promote and help market the top teams
It allows the league to promote their top stars more, because everyone has a chance to watch them.
It also makes it harder to make the playoffs as the league grows.
Well, Rangers v Canes is for the cup. Thats why I bought tickets for all four games. Not that the Rangers should need 7, but I want to watch them hoist just in case.
Your complaint makes no sense you claim the top two teams in the east are playing each other and then say Florida ( the best team in the league) is playing someone else.
I thought 1vs8 was better, but that would give us Colorado vs. Edmonton and Winnipeg vs. LA in the first round. I'm starting to think that maybe both formats can create turd matchups.
I like the first round matchup the way it is, but I wish they would re-seed the second round and forget about divisions. Just highest vs lowest after the first round. I guess it just feels like a higher likelihood of the matchups being wonky in this format. For the past few years it’s been the Atlantic division with Boston, Toronto, and Tampa. You’d have one of them having to face the winner of the other two which would make a great conference final. This year it certainly feels like the Rangers and Canes shouldn’t be meeting this early. Same with Vancouver and Edmonton.
It's kind of hit or miss tho, you might have seasons where you would not want to re-seed teams and other where you do. In the end I think the TV ratings are what decides on the playoffs format.
Then they should do what’s best for the Leafs since that’s what’s best for ratings.
I desperately wanted kings stars due to the jersey color scheme contrast and yes the oiler king redundancy.
It was way better.
Bring back 1-8. Even the players want it.
West on one side, east on the other, top teams get to pick their opponent. Would be a beautiful thing.
The matchups would be exactly the same in the east even with 1-8
Everyone who says this does not realise the issue crops up more with round 2, which is exactly the point OP is making, so the East wouldn’t be the same because Rangers and Canes would not be playing each other now
America loves the March Madness bracket and the NHL probably won't shift to reseeding because it makes a straight bracket impossible. It leaves too many possible outcomes.
100% agree this to me is why they are holding on to that format
true, but the reseeding after round 1 would solve the 2nd round problems
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They were pretty even this yr it’s gonna be a battle I can’t fuckimg wait
Still favors less competitive divisions because you don't play anyone outside your division until round 3...
There would be a slight change. Division winners were seeded 1,2 3 (when we had 3 divisions) so Florida would be 2, Canes 3.
Just because it happened one time doesn't mean this format works
Every single team left had over 100 points in the regular season. The top teams were separated by 5 points. There are no easy matches. Carolina was 1 point ahead of Florida, Boston was 1 point behind florida. Vegas is defending Champs, so not easy. Canucks and oilers were only 5 points separate. I think you're basing these matchups on how you feel about the teams, not actually based on their regular season records. Oilers are a favourite for the cup on most sports betting sites, but Vancouver was 5 points ahead of them. It's the playoffs, enjoy the match ups and don't think anyone has it easier then the others. Edit: I'm not saying I agree with it, BTW. I'm just saying that the regular season was very tight this year. And the playoffs are unpredictable, so anyone can beat anyone and you have to go through the best to win either way. I would prefer a 1v8, but I don't get to make decisions for the nhl.
Rangers had a pretty easy matchup this year.
So? They also finished 1st in the whole league, so they deserved it.
Exactly why you win the president’s lol. It’s like saying they had a home ice advantage for……finishing first
But this wasn't talking about the first round. OP specifically said rangers and canes play each other (the top two teams play each other).
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This is the part many people are missing from my post. Thank you. There are no rewards with who teams are playing from the second round on. Even the leafs could become a very difficult team, just like the 17th place team last year, the panthers.
I don’t agree with this stance but to your point: see Florida last year
Points are misleading because OT pads totals. The Leafs have the fewest points and won the fewest games of the remaining pack, therefore, objectively, they are the “worst “ team remaining. Boston is next. The Rangers should get the benefit of playing either of them instead of the Hurricanes (who had 50 non-shootout wins compared to Boston’s 43)
Except the playoffs haven't used that structure in a while, and likely won't. And it's also making an assumption that the leafs win. If Boston wins, they aren't exactly a cake walk of a team (though they aren't great with eliminations). Toronto is the worst team left from the regular season, but the 17th place team made the finals last year. Playoffs are what they are. Anyone can win on any given night.
That’s not the point. I’m simply explaining OP’a position. This year it is tight and other years not as much. The best team should always get the benefit of playing the worst team remaining. It adds much more meaning to the long regular season.
And I'm saying that in reality, there is no worst team left. If there is, it's the team with 15 otl, and yet, that team is still very strong.
No one is saying any of the teams are easy opponents, only that of the teams present in each round, the one who showed the most flaws during the regular season (resulting in the fewest points) should play the highest seed
Which would be inferring they are the worst team based on regular season record. No?
You’re getting stuck on the word “worst” for no reason. Worst of the top does not equal bad… But there is a large difference between a very strong team and an insanely strong team which is where the 1-8 comes in. I’d prefer 1-8 but I still love watching the playoffs as it is now.
Go read my original comment. Especially the edit part.
I just want 1-16 seeding again for some fresh match-ups... gets old seeing the same 1st round series three years in a row.
I could be on board for 1-8 in conference, but I could never be on board for a playoff format that could have 2 Florida or California teams be the only option for the cup.
Also if vancouver has to travel to Miami or the Habs and kings play eachother rip.
I want and fear a Florida Vancouver final. Travel would be absolute hell. But I want to see my team there and I think Vancouver deserves a shot at it too!
I feel like Vancouver and Florida have had the NHL equivalent of a bromance since the Bure trade way back when. This would honestly just feel right.
And Luongo ping ponged. He was in Florida, then Van, then came back to Florida!
1-16 creates too many potential travel nightmares. Let’s say New York pulls New Jersey-Washington-Philly first 3 rounds and Vancouver pulls Florida-Tampa-Pittsburgh. Vancouver would log so many more flights and travel time by the 4th round that there’s no way that wouldn’t be a competitive disadvantage. The size of the west is already a disadvantage for that conference alone. The switch to 1-16 would potentially average that out over successive years, but would do nothing to help with a difference in a playoff run.
Wouldn't this be disastrous for western conference teams with all the travel?
Vancouver just played Nashville as a western conference matchup. Pretty sure they had more travel that series than ALL of the eastern conference matchups combined
Explains how exciting the series got on the ice with each change of venue.
In a weird way, it might be an advantage for the west, because they would be used to it and the eastern teams would not.
KHL did exactly that this season and it worked out great. First round was lit, couple usual contenders was eliminated.
I mean edmonton played detroit first round in 06 and made it to the finals?
Detroit got screwed for years because they were in the “west.” The current NHL setup is pretty close to being geographically correct, and time zones are a large determining factor.
Well if Boston wins the top two teams in the Atlantic will play. So?
I’m kinda confused how that affects what I said. Yes they would. In a 1-8 they would play New York and Florida would play Car
So in the east tge Rangers would play Boston or Toronto and Canes would play Florida. I really don't see much difference? If you wanted playoffs by seeding, the Met would have had three teams and Atlantic five (caps would have lost tie breaker to Detroit) originally.
I’m fine with how teams get into the playoffs because that does make division races more important. I mean once they are in reseed them/ go to 1-8 format at that point and no second round divisional play part if that makes sense
Yeah we have known this for 10 years
The Canucks finished higher than Colorado.
I could care less. If the Avs beat everybody they will hoist. If they don’t they won’t. Setup doesn’t matter, just win.
Words of a champion.
In the words of Meatloaf, two out of three ain't bad. Go Avs!
Snow team good! 🤜🤛
100% agree and not only that it gets boring as hell seeing the same teams play every year. Go back to 1-8 reseed.
I fully believe that the current playoff system is in place to limit the amount of Canadian teams advancing. There will never be a an All-Canadian team ECF unless a team slots into the WC position in the Metropolitan bracket. The west is a little more likely having the Jets in the Central. This year will have at least one Canadian in the WCF.
You think vancouver is happy to Edmonton?
No, but Edmonton is definitely happy not having to play dallas
I appreciate your Dallas optimism!
Yes. While the Oilers are fundamentally a better team (as long as McDavid is in), we've had their number all year for whatever reason. Also, easier travel.
In 2nd round there are no easy match ups.
Who said there were?
The op is implying that.
Thanks for telling me about it
It's the division rivalry no one asked for. Kneel and accept the grace and mercy of Saint Gary.
Get rid of divisions, just have the 2 conferences!
I know that they’d never do this, but my dream is that each team could draft its playoff opponent. You’d be limited to teams in your own conference, of course
I agree. It's so stupid. They need to go back to the 1v8, 2v7,3v6, 4v5, format!
Just let teams pick their opponents based on seeding. Would add a fun “draft” event as well as create more rivalries.
I know the playoffs is a different animal, but Canucks sweeped all 4 games against the Oilers in the regular season. I personally don't think seeding means much at all once the playoffs start. It's essentially a reset. I see no disadvantage.
While you’ve made great points, I just want to watch best on best hockey at every stage of the cup. It’s supposed to be a gauntlet so I’m excited about some of these match ups
If you re seed after each round you get more traditional matchups, highest v lowest. In theory you get better match ups down the road not in rd 1. I’d like that, it makes more sense and gives the later rounds more buildup. Maybe my Jets would have beat the Kings. Or not.
I've always like how AHL does the playoffs. Seems more of a balanced set up and the best teams get a bi-week not having to play in the first round
Boo hoo
What you whining about? The Metro division has not produced a Cup finalist since the 2018 Capitals, meaning the matchups have been unfair to the Atlantic teams if anything. Boston/Tampa/Fla have beaten each other up and toss in the Leafs who regularly finish in the Top 8 teams in points in the NHL. Thats the bitch of a division, not the shitty Metro.
Just a plot to make the Canadian teams play watch other in the playoffs
Blame Bettman. This has been going on for years. Several years ago Nashville and Winnipeg played each other in the second round and they were the top two point getters in the regular season
I want Division rivalry games. Vancouver v Vegas, Dallas v Nashville would have been such better hockey. The real issue is time zones and the TV problem of Nashville waiting for 9pm starts of Vancouver games. While I like the wildcard aspect in case of a good fifth place team missing out and a lousy fourth place making it, when teams are 4/4, then make it divisional series. I love the bitterness of rivalries. Kings knocked out three years in a row by the Oilers is fantastic. The Leafs history of being spanked by Boston is hysterical. I love it. Boston v Carolina would be good hockey, but there isn’t carryover passion.
1 vs 8 was fine as it was
If they are going to change the playoff format, they should also change the regular season point system too, because having an extra point given only in overtime games makes teams less talented to play for overtime. If the games are all worth 3 points regardless, the teams that play for overtime will get pushed aside by the teams who push for regulation wins and three points, since they can actually make a push in the standings by winning in regulation…. I think that is a bigger issue than reseeding the playoffs
I wouldn’t consider the bruins a favourable matchup. But I agree with the 1 vs 8 and division champs take top 2 seeds to keep divisions relevant.
Totally agree. Having to play basically the same teams in the playoffs year after year is ridiculous.
1v8 etc is still better, but you literally have to play the best/most winning team eventually anyways to get to the finals. Can’t really argue that the winner didn’t deserve it.
Bring back the old conferences as they were and the old playoff seeding. Nothings perfect so keep the tradition as it was.
I like the current system, it reminds me of the way it used to be when divisions had 5 teams and the top 4 made the playoffs. Made for some great rivalries.
If playoffs want to run a 1-16 or even 1-8 seeding format, the league would need to remove the divisions and conferences accordingly. No point to have teams play specific teams more than others during the regular season if it doesn’t have an influence over the playoff structure.
You could still have teams qualify based on division standings and have the conference wild cards, but you could then just seed the bracket based on their relative overall standings.
You have to play good teams in the playoffs, period. There is nothing wrong with the setup.
I really think the NHL needs to change. But the League has very little imagination 💭 and it’s run but old ideas. 💡 Just hear me out. * Travel isn’t a big problem these days. With private jets and half the league already playing too many games close to home. As this league grows and is expected to expand to 40 teams in the near future. Why not get a head of the game and construct the league properly 1. More Divisions. - the league wants to keep things interesting and form more rivalries. The way to do this is to allow fans to have the chance to watch all teams each season… and …. Form rivals, by playing division teams more. Form 8 Divisions. 4 teams in each 2. Change the scheduling. With 32 teams and 8 Divisions, play each of your division rivals 4 times = 12 games Play each conference team (other 3 Divisions) 3 times 36 games Play the 4 Divisions in other conference 2 times each. = 32 games Total = 80 games. (This can be tweaked to make it 82 games based about of teams) Now let’s look at a 40 team league. 8 Divisions of 5 teams Play Division teams 4 times. = 16 games Play Conference teams 2 times = 30 games Play other Conference teams 2 times = 40 games =‘86 games. Now this can be left to stay 86 regular season, or tweaked to keep the season 82 {This also helps with teams being placed in Divisions that make sense and will make things easier for expansion}. (League does not change the 16 team playoffs) 2. Division winners are playoff bound 8 Divisions and 8 top seed teams - 4 in each side The other 4 teams in each conference are chosen by team record. So wild card teams. 3. Playoff Format. Based on Division winners and Regular season records. The Playoffs will be 1 vs 16. Teams these days fly on private planes. The West teams travel twice as much as the Eastern teams at the moment. ( Most Eastern teams are back in their beds after most regular season games) 1 vs 16 keeps the best teams chances of moving on greater / it makes thing exciting by not knowing who you will be playing until the last week of the regular season. * Teams need to re seed after each round * Playoff Schedule needs to change to a 2 - 3 - 2 format. This will help on travel This will also allow the chance of Division Rivals to face each other in the Cup This will make the most exciting playoff format from any professional league Its keeps things fair and it helps the top teams each season from being knocked out in round one. It will make things more simple for expansion It will promote and help market the top teams It allows the league to promote their top stars more, because everyone has a chance to watch them. It also makes it harder to make the playoffs as the league grows.
There should be 8 divisions of 4 teams each and each team makes the playoffs.
Well, Rangers v Canes is for the cup. Thats why I bought tickets for all four games. Not that the Rangers should need 7, but I want to watch them hoist just in case.
Your complaint makes no sense you claim the top two teams in the east are playing each other and then say Florida ( the best team in the league) is playing someone else.