[Tsawwassen]

Originally Posted by Red John

It's actually amazing how the difference between 3rd in division and top wild card (probably only a one point difference), is the difference between

a) playing a team that will likely be within two points of yours - a pick 'em playoff matchup

b) playing Nashville or Anaheim, teams far ahead in the standings and a heavy favourite to beat you in the playoffs

Not sure if the NHL intended it this way when they re-jigged the playoff format but here we are. It used to be about getting in the playoffs and nothing more, as finishing 7th vs 8th basically drew you an equally tough matchup. Even 6th or 5th wasn't much better except in years where the 3rd seed came from a weak division.

It still is about getting in the playoffs. Finishing 5th was usually better than 6th because the 5th place team would play the 4th place team which was close to each other in the standings and that was also a pick em series. I don't buy that 2nd or 3rd in the division supposedly gets a favourable match up.