[Tsawwassen]

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

The difference is that's the third round. There's what, one of those rivalry series that make it to round three every three years? You were guaranteed anywhere from two to five top rivalry playoff series every year from 1983-84 until 1992-93 when the NHL had two divisional playoff rounds.

Heck, Montreal played Boston every single year of that format except the final year.

The difference is that the rivalries that you like have a chance to meet in any of the first 3 rounds. Boston-Montreal and others are great but every year knowing where teams will finish and who they will play 2 weeks before the season ends isn't exciting. The current way is fun because of all the possiblities of who will play who 3 days before the season ends.