I am wondering why you think it is beneficial to the Habs or Hawks to be the in the play-in? I mean, if you were a player, I'd get it. If you were an owner, I'd get it; however, you are neither as far as I know.
If I was fan of MTL or CHI, I would not want to be in the play-in.
In my opinion, the play-in is a stupid gimmick. Seed the teams based on PTS%, and start the playoffs. It really should be that simple. If you don't make it by PTS%, should have been better throughout the season!
I agree ... this went overboard imo under the guise of trying to be fair to a
very small number of teams .. but gains some splash -> cash in some big markets
Keep it simple. Sorry to Jets fans.. you came close , just like every year there are teams that fall just short
Atlantic Division
x-Boston Bruins: .714, 44-14-12
x-Tampa Bay Lightning: .657, 43-21-6
x-Toronto Maple Leafs: .579, 36-25-9
Florida Panthers: .565, 35-26-8 --- 11 % points back
Montreal Canadiens: .500, 31-31-9 -- see Chicago
Buffalo Sabres: .493, 30-31-8
Ottawa Senators: .437, 25-34-12
Detroit Red Wings: .275, 17-49-5
Metropolitan Division
x-Washington Capitals: .652, 41-20-8
x-Philadelphia Flyers: .645, 41-21-7
x-Pittsburgh Penguins: .623, 40-23-6
w1-Carolina Hurricanes: .596, 38-25-5
w2-New York Islanders: .588, 35-23-10
Columbus Blue Jackets: .579, 33-22-15 --- highest % out of the playoffs but they are 9 % points back
New York Rangers: .564, 37-28-5
New Jersey Devils: .493, 28-29-12
Central Division
x-St. Louis Blues: .662, 42-19-10
x-Colorado Avalanche: .657, 42-20-8
x-Dallas Stars: .594, 37-24-8
w1-Nashville Predators: .565, 35-26-8
Winnipeg Jets: .563, 37-28-6 -- 2 % points back played
Minnesota Wild: .558, 35-27-7
Chicago Blackhawks: .514, 32-30-8 how did we get to these guys in a playoff?
Pacific Division
x-Vegas Golden Knights: .606, 39-24-8
x-Edmonton Oilers: .585, 37-25-9
x-Vancouver Canucks: .565, 36-27-6
w2-Calgary Flames: .564, 36-27-7
Arizona Coyotes: .529, 33-29-8 --- 35 percentage points back
Anaheim Ducks: .472, 29-33-9
Los Angeles Kings: .457, 29-35-6
San Jose Sharks: .450, 29-36-5