Preferred playoff format?

[aceofpace]

This has been discussed to death but let's settle it with a poll.

Click to read more...

 

[jetsforever]

Don't really care about matchups but keep it 16 teams - don't like this NBA-style play-in

 

[wintersej]

It’s funny that the format I grew up with (1v4 / 2v3) isn’t the “old way” anymore because it’s too old.

I prefer the divisional playoffs with more of an unbalanced schedule OR 1v8 with a balanced schedule. Now they are just in this weird in between where you don’t play your division enough in the regular season to justify having the in-division playoff games, but you do play a little bit unbalanced which makes 1v8 unfair and weird, too.

If I had my druthers I would do home and home with all the other divisions and then play the rest of the games in division before having two rounds of divisional playoff. That how you build the inter division rivalries.

 

[Breakers]

Still loved the idea floated by one GM a few years back where 1st gets to pick their opponent from the 8 teams that qualify in conference.


thought that would be amazing
then 2nd chooses their opponent, unless chosen by 1, and so on

the rivalries would be amazing.

 

[Homesick]

I would prefer 1-4 divisional(they did it late 80's/90's)
I feel this would build much bigger rivalries and gain more interest.
The NFL doesn't force teams to play every year and look at the success they have both at the gate and TV
16GP vs other conference(alternating home game every 2nd year)
16GP vs other division in conference(home/home)
The remaining 50 games split in the division with an alternating game every couple of year.

 

[LaMasquerade]

I'd also prefer divisional playoffs (1vs4, 2vs3), so voted other..

 

[Golden_Jet]

Current format is the older format.
Went with 1-8 , division winners ranked 1,2.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Get rid of the divisons. East and West. 1 vs 8.

 

[Mrb1p]

I dont think it matters much if im honest.

I think it would be better at random? Idk.

 

[613Leafer]

Adding a play-in would be such a joke. They already let half the teams into the playoffs, diluting the value of the regular season. Add a play-in so that ~20 teams out of 32 make the playoffs? Why have a ~7 month 82 game regular season if you're going to let 2/3s of the teams into the playoffs anyway?

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

1 vs 16 would be wild lol Does that mean uneven representation per conference too?

Either way, it'd be wild.

 

[The Nuge]

Still loved the idea floated by one GM a few years back where 1st gets to pick their opponent from the 8 teams that qualify in conference.


thought that would be amazing
then 2nd chooses their opponent, unless chosen by 1, and so on

the rivalries would be amazing.

That would result is some hilarious levels of arguments amongst the fanbases of teams that get upset in the first round. “Why the hell did we pick team x when team y was way worse”

1 vs 16 would be wild lol Does that mean uneven representation per conference too?

Either way, it'd be wild.

That would probably piss a lot of teams off and end up getting changed. Right now that’s 9 teams from the West and 7 from the East, but it could even get to where it would theoretically be 10 teams from the West (Nashville’s 3 points back with 2 games in hand)

 

[1specter]

1v8, but keep the two divisions only. Hated how the Southeast was the weakest division for years and yet they'd be gifted a 3rd place spot over many other superior teams.

 

[Breakers]

That would result is some hilarious levels of arguments amongst the fanbases of teams that get upset in the first round. “Why the hell did we pick team x when team y was way worse”

I think it would be epic arguments

i think some of the choices would backfire
it would create these crazy rivalries, maybe teams choose the same team next year to get back at them.

 

[TF1970]

voted conference 1-8 old format, because although leaguewide 1-16 would be cool, its just not realistic at all.

 

[Took a pill in Sbisa]

I dont think 1v8 is as different as the current format as some people think.

Theoretically this year, Boston would still face Pittsburgh and Carolina still face the Islanders. Is NJD vs Tampa & Toronto vs. NYR really that different to Tampa vs. Toronto and NYR vs. NJD? Honestly the latter is more interesting anyways imo.

 

[AKL]

Still loved the idea floated by one GM a few years back where 1st gets to pick their opponent from the 8 teams that qualify in conference.


thought that would be amazing
then 2nd chooses their opponent, unless chosen by 1, and so on

the rivalries would be amazing.

The NHL should love this because they can turn it into an hour long show like the draft lottery or the draft itself. More ad revenue or something.

 

[Breakers]

The NHL should love this because they can turn it into an hour long show like the draft lottery or the draft itself. More ad revenue or something.

It would be fun to watch as a viewer
you'd be so nervous as a lower seed.

 

[No Fun Shogun]

1v16 for me would be my preference, but 1v8 is a lot better than the current setup.

 

[kranuck]

Current setup is fine, people whine way too much about it. 4/5 matchups were often two good teams under the old system becaues they give division winners top 3 slots.

I don't get why people are so upset that a good team will go out early. Let them play when they are healthy instad of beat to hell. Plus it's really funny when a good team gets turfed in the first round year after year after year after year...

 

[Golden_Jet]

1-16 will never happen again.

 

[MuckOG]

1-8 in each conference.

 

[tarheelhockey]

"Other" -- true divisional bracket, without the wild cards.

Ideally, first round is 3v6 and 4v5 in both divisions. Winners play the 1 and 2 seeds, then a divisional championship followed by conference followed by league.

 

[x Tame Impala]

Old format but keep the 8 team divisions. Division is winners guaranteed the top 2 seeds. This format sucks. Where are all the rivalries we’re supposed to be seeing? They don’t exist. Instead teams are forced to play the same 2-3 teams every year in the playoffs

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

1 vs 8
2 vs 7
3 vs 6
4 vs 5

In each conference.

I think it should be determined by their record rather than division