The NHL playoff format remains a contentious topic, with persistent criticisms stemming from its overhaul in 2014. Years ago, Washington Capitals forward Daniel Winnik voiced strong objections to the revamped system, deeming it inferior to the prior structure in 2017. Previously, for two decades, the NHL employed a straightforward arrangement where the top eight teams from each conference advanced to the postseason, seeded 1-8 regardless of division. In this traditional format, the first-ranked team played the eighth, the second played the seventh, and so on. Winnik questioned the rationale behind abandoning this simple model, a sentiment still shared by numerous fans and analysts who continue to debate the current playoff format’s fairness and efficacy.
The recent confirmation of the initial Western Conference playoff series between the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche has sparked renewed discussions among fans regarding the NHL’s divisional playoff structure. Online forums reflected a mix of enthusiasm and discontent, with many expressing unease about the format. One user on the r/hockey subreddit, commenting on the Stars-Avalanche series, questioned the divisional format, asserting that both teams were legitimate contenders. This view resonated widely, underscoring a prevalent concern that elite Western Conference teams are being eliminated prematurely in the postseason. Furthermore, the present format has contributed to predictable matchups, diminishing the intended anticipation and fostering a sense of tedium for some observers.
Current NHL Playoff Structure
Since the 2014 season, the NHL playoffs are structured as follows:
- The top three teams from each of the four NHL divisions automatically secure a spot in the postseason.
- Two wild card berths per conference are awarded to the next two highest-ranked teams in each conference based on regular season points, irrespective of their division.
First Round Series
In the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs:
- Each divisional winner is paired against a wild card entrant. The division leader with the most points in their conference faces the wild card team with the fewest points.
- The second and third-place finishers within each division play against each other.
Rationale Behind Playoff Realignment
The playoff realignment introduced for the 2014 season was part of a larger initiative to restructure the league. The NHL sought to better align its divisions and conferences with geographical time zones. Primary objectives of this realignment were:
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- Travel Reduction: To minimize travel distances for teams, especially within divisional play.
- Improved Television Schedules: To optimize game times for broader fan accessibility across different time zones, particularly for the growing fanbase outside the Eastern Time Zone.
- 강화된 Divisional Rivalries: It was anticipated that increased frequency of games within divisions and conferences would intensify rivalries. Teams began to play divisional opponents three or four times annually, with fewer games against teams from the opposite conference.
John Davidson, former president of the Columbus Blue Jackets, emphasized the time zone factor, noting that a significant portion of their games occurred outside the Eastern Time Zone and started too late for their developing fanbase. Commissioner Gary Bettman expressed optimism that the realignment would successfully cultivate stronger rivalries, a claim he reiterated as a success leading up to the 2014 Stanley Cup Final.
Fan and Player Concerns: Predictability and Recurring Matchups
While the heightened intensity of divisional or conference rivalries remains debatable, the predictability of playoff matchups has emerged as a more prominent worry. In an expanding league, the current format has, in certain instances, resulted in repetitive first-round series.
Recurring Series: LA Kings versus Edmonton Oilers
The Los Angeles Kings exemplify this issue. The approaching postseason will mark the fourth consecutive year the Kings have been scheduled to face the Edmonton Oilers in the first round. Edmonton has been victorious in the preceding three series, turning what might be considered a rivalry into a predictable and potentially less compelling scenario for fans.
Toronto Maple Leafs and Similar Situations
Similarly, the Toronto Maple Leafs have encountered the Boston Bruins three times and the Tampa Bay Lightning twice in the first round since 2018, suggesting a pattern of repeated matchups for some teams.
Player Opinions
Winnipeg forward Gabriel Vilardi questioned the league’s current format, querying whether the frequent LA-Edmonton first-round series was truly advantageous for the NHL. Vilardi proposed that authentic rivalries cannot be artificially created and should evolve naturally.
Potential Solutions: Re-assessing the Points System
Instead of a complete restructuring of the playoff format, some propose revising the regular-season points system. One suggested alternative is the 3-2-1 points system, previously tested in the Four Nations tournament. This system allocates:
- Three points for a regulation victory.
- Two points for an overtime or shootout victory.
- One point for an overtime or shootout defeat.
- Zero points for a regulation loss.
Rationale for the 3-2-1 System
Advocates argue that the 3-2-1 system would incentivize teams to achieve more regulation wins, potentially altering league standings and benefiting teams currently outside the playoffs. Fan surveys indicate considerable support for this alteration, with a 2024 poll showing nearly 79% of fans in favor.
Possible Ramifications
However, analyses suggest that even if the 3-2-1 system had been implemented this past season, the Oilers and Kings might still have been positioned to meet in the first round. Likewise, the Maple Leafs might have potentially played the Lightning instead of the Senators, implying that the points system alone may not fully resolve the issue of predictable matchups.
Commissioner Bettman’s Perspective and League Evolution
Commissioner Gary Bettman has conveyed satisfaction with the existing playoff format. In March, he stated he was “pretty dug in” and favored the current system, highlighting the competitive regular season and the early onset of “playoff-caliber” intensity. He likened the predictable late-season scenarios to the NBA’s play-in tournament, suggesting an acceptance of these predetermined series.
Time for Reconsideration?
Despite Bettman’s current position, circumstances have changed since the playoff format was initially adopted. When it was first announced, Bettman indicated it would remain in place for at least three years, barring relocation or expansion, neither of which were then anticipated. However, since that time, the NHL has witnessed one team relocation and the addition of two expansion franchises. These shifts in league composition might warrant a re-evaluation of the playoff format to ensure it optimally serves the evolving NHL landscape.
Playoff Predictions
Western Conference Final: Las Vegas v Winnipeg
Eastern Conference Final: Toronto v Washington
Stanley Cup Final: Winnipeg v Toronto
Should this Stanley Cup Final materialize, it would represent a momentous occasion for Canadian hockey, potentially ending the nation’s 35-year Stanley Cup drought. While the Toronto Maple Leafs have had a strong season, the inherently unpredictable nature of hockey suggests that the Winnipeg Jets might be a more prudent bet to emerge victorious if this series were to occur.
