Playoff Format

[CGY12]

What are peoples thoughts on the current playoff format?

Since the Flames have been a periodic participant since this new format was adopted and have never been in the thick of it for the division, I really didn't give too much thought to it. IMO though it definitely needs to be revisited and discussed.

Currently two divisions really see the short end of the stick (Pacific and Atlantic):

- Both Boston and Toronto (tiebreaker) are ahead of Washington but would have to face off against each other, while the Caps get WC1
- Both Calgary and San Jose are significantly ahead of Winnipeg but would have to face off against the Knights, while the Jets get WC1

Granted winning your division is important and they are trying to promote rivalries, so although I'm not a fan of this I can understand.

What really is terrible, from what I understand, is should the Flames/Sharks (whoever finishes 2nd) and Jets make it to the Western Conference Final, the Jets would have home ice despite potentially finishing 10 points behind. Correct me if I'm wrong?

The whole idea around creating wild card spots was to give teams who don't necessarily finish top 3 in the division equal opportunity to make the playoffs vs the opposing division. The last thing they wanted to see was a weaker team qualify over a stronger team just because they didn't play in the same division, yet they are awarding a division winner with home ice in the playoffs in a series against a team that ranked higher but didn't win their division

[Toonage]

I prefer conference 1-8

[Scroopy Noopers]

The previous system would still have had the Jets in 2nd place, if they win their division.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Toonage

I prefer conference 1-8

Me too but the current format does see natural rivals play no matter what, so I understand the thought behind it. As well as travel schedules etc., are much easier.

I remember when they did 1-16, 2-15, etc for a couple years...there were some crazy match ups a couple times.

[Bunk]

1-8, 2-7, 3-6, 4-5 is way better.

Friedman was on the Fan yesterday talking about this - suggesting it's NBC that really prefers the current format, because they can know more easily what the matchups will be - and Bettman is totally indifferent, so he's going along with them.

[Dan403]

I grew up in the Smythe Division, so I'm fine with the current format.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Me too but the current format does see natural rivals play no matter what, so I understand the thought behind it. As well as travel schedules etc., are much easier.

I remember when they did 1-16, 2-15, etc for a couple years...there were some crazy match ups a couple times.

But the travel schedules aren't that much easier. Not when you account for the Wild Card teams, which is half of the playoff series. I'd guess that in the 1-8 system about half were inter division travel already, so not much has likely changed.

[CaptainYooh]

I hate both Boston and Toronto... but after being at the last Toronto@Calgary game at the Saddledome, it would please me very much to see the stacked-up Leafs caving, letting 3 goals in the last four minutes of Game 6 and losing the series...

[Joborule]

When Seattle is in town, and the divisions are balanced, go to a simple divisional playoff format.

Top 4 teams in division battle it out amongst themselves for two rounds, winner of division plays division winner within conference, and then the final.

[Jiggy_12]

Meh.

Sure it sucks this year, but over time it balances out.

In 2015 when we finished 3rd and got a gift in facing the 2nd place Canucks nobody had issue with that.

[Corral]

i prefer a system like the NFL where winning the division gives you a first round bye and means something more than simply getting to play a wildcard team.

[agulati]

I actually don't mind the current format. Rivalries that come out of this are better.

[Bandwagon Surfer]

Current format is boring. So tired of the same matchups, and forced feeling rivalries. And as you note, it does not seem very fair with lower point teams still getting home ice.



I want more drama in the playoffs. It would be so fun if the format is: starting with the team with the most points, pick any opponent they want. Then continue down by points with each unpicked team selecting from the remaining teams. Split it by conference if you want, but to me it would be more interesting to have more options.


I know for me the sting of being picked by another team would add a lot more emotional rivalry to the series. Any if we picked another team, would definitely want to avoid the extra embarrassment losing would bring. Not to mention the extra attention the selection media event could bring to the kickoff of each round.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by Bunk

1-8, 2-7, 3-6, 4-5 is way better...

It is. This is the only system that properly and fairly rewards teams for their regular season achievement. Current WC system gets the team into the playoffs fairly. Then, it should be based on the above.

[Frequitude]

Love the current setup. It makes for amazing hockey in the first couple rounds. Rivalries are great and even if it means a couple good teams are playing one another a round or two early, I like that they're playing one another fresher and less beat down.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

It is. This is the only system that properly and fairly rewards teams for their regular season achievement. Current WC system gets the team into the playoffs fairly. Then, it should be based on the above.

1-8 & 2-7 are the same in either format. Each year.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

1-8 & 2-7 are the same in either format. Each year.

So, why not keep it the same all through?

[Gaudfather]

Originally Posted by Corral

i prefer a system like the NFL where winning the division gives you a first round bye and means something more than simply getting to play a wildcard team.

In hockey - would a first round bye (by?) be an advantage or disadvantage?

You are one round deeper, but you would have been sitting idle for 10 days and then face a team that is already "playoff hardened" to some extent.

[The Cobra]

One of the reasons that Calgary/San Jose have such good records is that they play in a weaker division than Winnipeg, so get a much easier schedule.

If you want to do a 1-8, you'll likely need to do a balanced schedule.

But someone said, it averages out in the long run.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by CGY12

What

Currently two divisions really see the short end of the stick (Pacific and Atlantic):

You can easily suggest they get a huge advantage fattening up their record based on a non-balanced schedule facing more poor teams.