My idea to tweak the current playoff format without a huge overhaul

[c9777666]

Leave the first round format as it is- divisional, Wild Card, 2 vs. 3, etc.

But.....

Reseed round 2 from highest seed to lowest seed in terms of who gets out of round 1.

Like, unless Calgary comes back from 3-1, Colorado should have to play the highest remaining seed left ala the 2012 Kings/2006 Oilers.

That way, you can get your round 1 divisional matchups, but leave room for some possible cross-divisional matchups outside the Conference finals and an occasional WC crossover.

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[Windy River]

Brilliunt

 

[tony d]

If they're going to keep the current 4 divisions when they go to Seattle I think they should go to a top 4 team in each division format. If we had that format now neither Columbus or Colorado would have made the playoffs.

 

[kvladimir]

Leave the first round format as it is- divisional, Wild Card, 2 vs. 3, etc.

But.....

Reseed round 2 from highest seed to lowest seed in terms of who gets out of round 1.

Like, unless Calgary comes back from 3-1, Colorado should have to play the highest remaining seed left ala the 2012 Kings/2006 Oilers.

That way, you can get your round 1 divisional matchups, but leave room for some possible cross-divisional matchups outside the Conference finals and an occasional WC crossover.

And the best part is... if they do that, Colorado will most likely play NSH or WPG/STL! You get a divisional matchup anyway!

 

[NHL WAR]

If they're going to keep the current 4 divisions when they go to Seattle I think they should go to a top 4 team in each division format. If we had that format now neither Columbus or Colorado would have made the playoffs.

Given their great playoff performance thus far, I fail to see how the non-inclusion of the Jackets and Avs is a point in this systems favour

 

[Nemesis Prime]

Or just do it like the old days, there was no need to mess with it.

If they absolutely must have wild card spots, base spots 1-6 on division standings, and then 7-8 can be wild cards.

 

[WHISTLERNATE]

Top 8 teams in the conference make it, division winners are the 1 and 2 seeds.
1vs8
2vs7
3vs6
4vs5
Don't reseed after RND 1.

Seems a lot like it was before they tried this divisional garbage to force feed us rivalries. It worked. Go back to it.

 

[robicgi]

Worst part about the current PO format is that it leaves no possibility to ever see MTL/TOR or other great rivals play in a final for the stanley cup.
I know its about travel and stuff but the fans get the raw deal on that one.
1 vs 16 and keep using top vs bot and so on is what i would love to see. Top 16 in the league make it regardless of conference or division. Would need a more balanced regular season shedule but the possibility of NYR/NYI or EDM/CAL or BOS/MTL and so on Stanley cup final would be awesome .

 

[TomasHertlsRooster]

If they're going to keep the current 4 divisions when they go to Seattle I think they should go to a top 4 team in each division format. If we had that format now neither Columbus or Colorado would have made the playoffs.

If anything I think that’s a reason for us not to use that format, because Colorado and Columbus both clearly deserve to be in the playoffs.

 

[BrettHullsToe]

That way, you can get your round 1 divisional matchups, but leave room for some possible cross-divisional matchups outside the Conference finals and an occasional WC crossover.

The West doesn't want cross-divisional matchups though, the wild card is already a compromise they'd rather not have to make. The West wants strict divisional play in the first two rounds because of time zones for fans and travel for the team.