Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post

getbak · 01-26-2023, 11:49 PM

The NHL moved to a 16 team playoff after the WHA expansion, starting in 1979-80.

For the first 2 seasons, the playoffs were a simple 1-16 ranking. In 1980, some of the first round match-ups were: PHI-EDM, BUF-VAN, and NYI-LAK. The following year, the Sabres and Canucks met again in the first round, and LA again faced NY, but this time, the Rangers. The Habs played Edmonton in the first round and the Flames met Chicago in their first year in Calgary.

Then, in 1981-82, the format was switched to the 1-4 Division playoffs. This format remained through the 1992-93 season (12 years).

After many years of complaints about the Division playoffs, the League switched to the 1-8 Conference format starting in 1993-94. This format (with minor changes along the way as the league expanded to 30 teams) remained in place for 20 years, with its final year being the lockout-shortened 2012-13.

Starting in 2013-14, the League switched to the current 1-3 Division + Wildcard format. This will be the 10th season of this "new" format.

The time seems about right for people to start complaining about the format. It will probably take a few more years, but eventually enough people will want to switch back to the Conference format, then we'll get that for a decade or so.

01-26-2023, 11:49 PM	#29
getbak Franchise Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Calgary, AB Exp:	The NHL moved to a 16 team playoff after the WHA expansion, starting in 1979-80. For the first 2 seasons, the playoffs were a simple 1-16 ranking. In 1980, some of the first round match-ups were: PHI-EDM, BUF-VAN, and NYI-LAK. The following year, the Sabres and Canucks met again in the first round, and LA again faced NY, but this time, the Rangers. The Habs played Edmonton in the first round and the Flames met Chicago in their first year in Calgary. Then, in 1981-82, the format was switched to the 1-4 Division playoffs. This format remained through the 1992-93 season (12 years). After many years of complaints about the Division playoffs, the League switched to the 1-8 Conference format starting in 1993-94. This format (with minor changes along the way as the league expanded to 30 teams) remained in place for 20 years, with its final year being the lockout-shortened 2012-13. Starting in 2013-14, the League switched to the current 1-3 Division + Wildcard format. This will be the 10th season of this "new" format. The time seems about right for people to start complaining about the format. It will probably take a few more years, but eventually enough people will want to switch back to the Conference format, then we'll get that for a decade or so. __________________ Turn up the good, turn down the suck!