Should the NHL change the playoff format?

The NHL's playoff format has been a hot topic in debates in recent seasons, with fans and players questioning whether it needs a major overhaul. Critics believe that the current structure often leads to the same first-round showdown, reducing the excitement and diversity of the playoffs. As the call for change becomes bigger, the alliance faces pressure to rethink its approach.

An example of “same old, same old” is that the Edmonton Oilers and the Los Angeles Kings will face off for the fourth straight year in the first round this spring. This playoff format is a debate about how NHL fans are tired of seeing the same game or creating long-term competition among NHL teams.

There are many NHL players who have commented on the league's playoff format, including one of the greatest Sidney Crosby of all time. “I like 1 to 8 because I think the regular season is difficult,” Crosby said in the 2023 All-Star Game. “Even if there isn't a big difference, this is probably the best way to get a reward. I like that version.”

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman also talked about the matter in the 2023 All-Star Game to defend the current playoff format. Bateman said: “About 1 against the debate from 8, not only that, you have to look at the wildcard changes and start looking at the number of times the team plays with each other. If you're regaining the meeting-based playoffs, This is not to say: “I want 1 anti-2. “It involves many other issues that must be solved.”

While there seems to be a rift between different parties in the NHL, many options have been discussed if the league’s playoff format is to be changed.

Fight back

Another option is what the NBA does, which is playing from a 7-10 seed team. This format will see teams 7-10 fighting the game in each meeting in the last two playoff wins, which provides the Bubble with the last chance to enter the playoffs. This format sees more teams competing for playoff locations and provides some indexes for those teams in their current playoff format, with a chance to get into the game anyway. One thing that may attract attention is that these teams may have different rest time than those of teams higher than they do.

1 to 16

Another option could be a 1-16 playoff format that completely eliminates the idea of ​​Eastern and Western conferences and really does so that the best teams in the regular season will play for the 16th and bottom seeds team. This playoff concept will offer new competition while also sticking to reward better NHL teams in the regular season because they don’t have to play tough opponents in the first round like they did in previous years.

Wild card

The current format set with the Universal Card is still a very solid way to play the Stanley Cup playoffs. While many criticize the format of repeating duels each year, others believe it helps to cultivate new competition that was previously unseen in the league. A perfect example is Toronto Maple Leaf and Tampa Bay Lightning because no one thought it was a competition until they played against each other in the playoffs for two consecutive years.

If the NHL wants to change the playoff format, the league’s players, coaches and organizations will need to agree on new consent. Whether it changes or not, fans can look forward to the pursuit of hockey every April to see who will lift Lord Stanley's cup.

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