Changing Playoff Format Back To Old Format

[McDrai]

I don’t know about you but I’m getting pretty tired of facing the same team in round 1 year after year (despite winning all of the matchups). I enjoy the old format (1 vs 8; 2 vs 7; 3 vs 6; 4 vs 5) where you could have a better chance of facing different teams in round 1. Here is a comparison between the 2 formats (and the opponents we would have faced under the old format)

Old Format
2021/2022: St. Louis Blues
2022/2023: Seattle Kraken
2023/2024: Colorado Avalanche
2024/2025: Vegas Golden Knights

New Format
2021/2022: Los Angeles Kings
2022/2023: Los Angeles Kings
2023/2024: Los Angeles Kings
2024/2025: Los Angeles Kings (Tentative)

As you can see, way more variation in opponents with the old format. What are the chances of the NHL reverting back to the old format? Do you think it would be better for the game and be more entertaining for fans? What are your thoughts?

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

Actually the “old” format in the 16 team playoffs is 1v16, 2v15, 3v14, etc etc with reseeding after every round so the top remaining team plays the worst remaining team and so on. But you can’t run a bracket that way and sports fans love their brackets.

Also in the old old 1v8 format they would also reseed so their couldn’t be a bracket.

But I digress.

I don’t mind the current divisional / conference format. Makes for a lot of hatred and rivalry. Chances they change it? Not under Bettmans watch and we all know he is a vampire who will never die - or actually is already dead - and lives forever so no chance it ever changes.

 

[Jumptheshark]

It is getting a little silly

 

[Oilslick941611]

Im no fan of being stuck playing LA every year.

They should make the switch or a change at least. But they said they arent changing it.

 

[Canovin]

I feel like #1 in the west should be able to choose their opponent.

 

[Stud Muffin]

In our case I don’t hate it. But in say Colarado vs Dallas where you have ok really good team going out in the first round, that is brutal

 

[timekeep]

If we are changing it, I'd want either a 1-8, 2-7, 3-6, 4-5 in the conference which has never been done before. Or stay in the division with no wildcards as we play in the weakest division historically. I don't think we have ever had both wild card teams come from the Pacific???

 

[Slats432]

In our case I don’t hate it. But in say Colarado vs Dallas where you have ok really good team going out in the first round, that is brutal

I don't have a problem with this. There are 5 (and maybe STL is putting themselves in this conversation), but Colorado, Dallas, Vegas, Los Angeles and Edmonton are all very good teams. How do you not lose good teams in the 1st round?

In the East...Caps, Leafs, Lightning, Panthers, Hurricanes.

It happens.