Sportsnet: This is our match in a 24 team format! now NHLPA approved

[rent free]

Odds are they would have to play Boston regardless if this whole pandemic didn't come up anyway

not likely. they'd probably be facing tampa bay

 

[SHANNYPLAN]

Columbus Scares Me

 

[Clark4Ever]

I get all the negative comments, but as long as this improvised playoff format poses no health risks to the public or to team personnel, I'll take anything we can get right now.

 

[Gabriel426]

I think they should just stick with 16 teams instead of 24 teams. This 24 teams is really Micky Mouse. Imagine Hawks winning it all.
Then there is the seedings. Which is ridiculous, don’t understand why GMs would even be okay with that.

 

[Wafflewhipper]

That series against Columbus is gonna be tough. All 3 games will go right down to the wire.

Its a best 3 out of 5

 

[Brewin8]

not likely. they'd probably be facing tampa bay

in peace and respect.. I agree- pre covid matchup was looking like Leafs-Tampa, then Bruins (if they won their wildcard matchup)..so isn’t a Columbus, then Boston a better draw than Tampa and Boston... don’t see why the displeasure in this format..the Atlantic div strength makes for tough playoff matchups right away..

 

[Golden_Jet]

I think they should just stick with 16 teams instead of 24 teams. This 24 teams is really Micky Mouse. Imagine Hawks winning it all.
Then there is the seedings. Which is ridiculous, don’t understand why GMs would even be okay with that.

Players have to approve it as well as the return to play committee

 

[robertmac43]

That said, I’d much rather play in this weird first round, than sit out even longer like Boston.

Especially because our core is young, I don't think it will take as long for them to get going. We could be a couple steps ahead if we get out of the first round.

 

[Legion34]

in peace and respect.. I agree- pre covid matchup was looking like Leafs-Tampa, then Bruins (if they won their wildcard matchup)..so isn’t a Columbus, then Boston a better draw than Tampa and Boston... don’t see why the displeasure in this format..the Atlantic div strength makes for tough playoff matchups right away..

Take the leafs out of it though. Why would Boston agree to this format.

if 5 plays 12, and 12 wins.... shouldn’t Boston get the 12th seed in the first round? I mean. What’s the point of seeding?

5 v 12
6 v 11
7 v 10
8 v 9.

If there is a single upset, then Boston doesn’t get the lowest team. Seems kinda dumb

 

[Gabriel426]

Players have to approve it as well as the return to play committee

Players only care how it is done. I don’t think they can say no to the any formats. They can say too many games or depending on host cities....GMs are the ones who could have said no, but didn’t.

 

[Brewin8]

Take the leafs out of it though. Why would Boston agree to this format.

if 5 plays 12, and 12 wins.... shouldn’t Boston get the 12th seed in the first round? I mean. What’s the point of seeding?

5 v 12
6 v 11
7 v 10
8 v 9.

If there is a single upset, then Boston doesn’t get the lowest team. Seems kinda dumb

For sure I agree.. no reseeding makes no sense.

 

[Golden_Jet]

That’s why it’s taking along time to approve everything, everyone has to sign off on logistics
Can family come etc

 

[Wafflewhipper]

I am not going to watch this crap actually. Points % of the top 16 teams is much mote fair and has integrity. F*** just give the top team a pass in the first round. Play 15 series at 3 out 5 and then slam them all in to the second round based on points % at season pause.
Gives you your fu@king 16 teams and lets get away from this crap. If you lose first round you are a lottery team based on points again. But noooo, teams betting on a great draft pick would buck that right quick. Well leafs are in now, sucks for the other teams that aren’t. Have a nice lottery,who cares i hate other teams anyway.

Points % at seasons pause should be the ranking and anything else they want to call integrity they can shove

 

[Gabriel426]

Take the leafs out of it though. Why would Boston agree to this format.

if 5 plays 12, and 12 wins.... shouldn’t Boston get the 12th seed in the first round? I mean. What’s the point of seeding?

5 v 12
6 v 11
7 v 10
8 v 9.

If there is a single upset, then Boston doesn’t get the lowest team. Seems kinda dumb

I think they don’t want to adjust the seedings due to travelling during COVID.

That’s why if Habs beat Pens, they will play Phi as they are most likely within the same city. However, I think if Panthers beatS NYI and Leafs beats BJ, Bruins should play the lowest seed, as I am assuming all of the teams are playing in the same city.

 

[Wafflewhipper]

in peace and respect.. I agree- pre covid matchup was looking like Leafs-Tampa, then Bruins (if they won their wildcard matchup)..so isn’t a Columbus, then Boston a better draw than Tampa and Boston... don’t see why the displeasure in this format..the Atlantic div strength makes for tough playoff matchups right away..

Don’t think we won’t be kicking your arses this time.

 

[lovemyleafs]

Its a best 3 out of 5

Oh I thought I read best of 3. Thanks for clearing it up.
In that case, you can very well expect all 5 games to go down to the wire.

 

[Fogelhund]

There is also talk, that the four bye teams, Boston, Tampa, Capitals, Flyers, will play each other, to determine seeding. What I read, suggested that this doesn't incorporate existing points, so basically three games would determine seedings. This allows these teams to play some competitive games, that mean something, to get warmed up for the next round. If this ends up being the case, there is no guarantee we get Boston in the next round, if we beat Columbus.

 

[Nineteen67]

to be fair.... how is their heavier brand going to work in this time? No scrums, I doubt checking and grinding will be the same.

It’s a skill league.... and now the playoffs will probably favour skill.

of course if Freddie plays like October Freddie it doesn’t matter......:


Also. Why would we play Boston first round?

wouldn’t Boston play the lowest seed? I what is an upset happens?

Why wouldn’t they re-seed? They are all in the same city

Why? Do you think the heavier team will be uninterested in playing?

 

[Nineteen67]

I am not going to watch this crap actually. Points % of the top 16 teams is much mote fair and has integrity. F*** just give the top team a pass in the first round. Play 15 series at 3 out 5 and then slam them all in to the second round based on points % at season pause.
Gives you your fu@king 16 teams and lets get away from this crap. If you lose first round you are a lottery team based on points again. But noooo, teams betting on a great draft pick would buck that right quick. Well leafs are in now, sucks for the other teams that aren’t. Have a nice lottery,who cares i hate other teams anyway.

Points % at seasons pause should be the ranking and anything else they want to call integrity they can shove

Without the Toronto, Montreal, New York and Chicago markets there is no sense in having the exhibition.

 

[kb]

Why? Do you think the heavier team will be uninterested in playing?

They can be heavier.....but this will be shinny Covid pond hockey with no contact.

Leafs are winning the no touch Covid cup.

 

[Nineteen67]

They can be heavier.....but this will be shinny Covid pond hockey with no contact.

Leafs are winning the no touch Covid cup.

If they try that, they can forget about signing a lucrative US tv deal

 

[Legion34]

Why? Do you think the heavier team will be uninterested in playing?

From what I gather its full face shields and no after the whistle activity.

They want to minimize risk and contact. Face washing and fighting etc will be limited imo.

it will be more like olympics than Stanley cup. Ref enforced. I mean I could be way off but that’s my rationale

 

[Menzinger]

Bring on Columbus; i think folks have let their fluke last year cloud their judgements. The Leafs i think line up very well against them - beat them 4-1 last game against.

As long as Andersen is at least average, Leafs would be clear favorites that series

 

[Legion34]

I think they don’t want to adjust the seedings due to travelling during COVID.

That’s why if Habs beat Pens, they will play Phi as they are most likely within the same city. However, I think if Panthers beatS NYI and Leafs beats BJ, Bruins should play the lowest seed, as I am assuming all of the teams are playing in the same city.

I think east is all in the same hub. But yes if there are more travels I can see it

 

[Gabriel426]

I think east is all in the same hub. But yes if there are more travels I can see it

From stuff I have been reading, they are planning 4 hubs, I assume that’s for each divisions.