Big Phil
Registered User
- Nov 2, 2003
- 31,703
- 4,144
I am going to start in the Original 6 era because the pre-Original 6 era in the 1930s and before had formats that would have broken the internet, such as the top two teams in each division playing each other in the semis.
Original 6 1942-'67 - 1 vs. 3 and 2 vs. 4. Winners play in the final.
1967-70 - Much stronger original 6 division and expansion division have 4 teams get into the playoffs each, but it left superior teams in the Original 6 division missing the playoffs when even the top team in the expansion division had less points.
1970-'71 - Good move with Chicago changing divisions and balancing things out but the format in each division was 1 vs. 3 and 2 vs. 4 again. Hence, why Boston played Montreal first round.
1971-'74 - Three playoff rounds, each division was 1 vs. 4 2 vs. 3 and then re-seeded and the top two teams met in the final.
1974-'79 - First round bye for division winners, the others played a best 2 of 3. Remaining 12 teams competed in the quarters, semis and Cup final.
1979-'81 - 1 vs. 16 format, then re-seeding after the next round. Best always played the lowest seed (first time 4 rounds came in)
1981-'93 - Divisions play 1 vs. 4 2 vs. 3 then winners play each other, conference finalists play each other and then Cup finalists
1993-'13 - Each conference 1 vs. 8 etc. Division winner was always no worst than 3rd seed.
2013 - present
Original 6 1942-'67 - 1 vs. 3 and 2 vs. 4. Winners play in the final.
1967-70 - Much stronger original 6 division and expansion division have 4 teams get into the playoffs each, but it left superior teams in the Original 6 division missing the playoffs when even the top team in the expansion division had less points.
1970-'71 - Good move with Chicago changing divisions and balancing things out but the format in each division was 1 vs. 3 and 2 vs. 4 again. Hence, why Boston played Montreal first round.
1971-'74 - Three playoff rounds, each division was 1 vs. 4 2 vs. 3 and then re-seeded and the top two teams met in the final.
1974-'79 - First round bye for division winners, the others played a best 2 of 3. Remaining 12 teams competed in the quarters, semis and Cup final.
1979-'81 - 1 vs. 16 format, then re-seeding after the next round. Best always played the lowest seed (first time 4 rounds came in)
1981-'93 - Divisions play 1 vs. 4 2 vs. 3 then winners play each other, conference finalists play each other and then Cup finalists
1993-'13 - Each conference 1 vs. 8 etc. Division winner was always no worst than 3rd seed.
2013 - present