Current division playoff format vs 1-8 seeds

[LightningStorm]

Which playoff format do you prefer, the current division playoff format of isolating the top 3 teams from each division from each other until the conference finals, or the straight #1-#8 conference seeding that lasted from the 1994-2013 SCP? The same format that the NBA playoffs uses (though they don't reseed for the 2nd round). My preference is the 1-8 format by a mile (or km for the Canadians here).

 

[Incognito]

1 versus 8 for sure. The NHL loves “fixing” things that aren’t broken.

 

[ToastedRavioli]

I know building rivalries is the main talking point with the current format but I think one of the biggest benefits that they like is how it is a set bracket. The old 1-8 system had reseeding which to casual fans is a lot more confusing. I think if we do see the return to 1-8 it will be without reseeding. So the winner of the 1 Vs. 8 would face the winner of 4 Vs. 5 and the winner of 2 Vs. 7 would face the winner of 3 Vs. 6.

 

[GlitchMarner]

1 versus 8 for sure. The NHL loves “fixing” things that aren’t broken.

Agreed. I never had a problem with that format.

If you're going to have a divisional format, why not go 1 vs 4 and 2 vs 3? Forcing the 2 and 3 seeds to face each other but having the 1 seed possibly play against a team from a different division is rather convoluted and silly.

 

[Summer Rose]

I think I actually like the current division-based format a hair better than the old format. With the current format you always seem to get some really great matchups in the first round, generally teams from a strong division that end up finishing 2nd and 3rd in that division. Then the conference finals and SCF are interesting in their own right due to the stakes being so high by then.

 

[LightningStorm]

I know building rivalries is the main talking point with the current format but I think one of the biggest benefits that they like is how it is a set bracket. The old 1-8 system had reseeding which to casual fans is a lot more confusing. I think if we do see the return to 1-8 it will be without reseeding. So the winner of the 1 Vs. 8 would face the winner of 4 Vs. 5 and the winner of 2 Vs. 7 would face the winner of 3 Vs. 6.

The NBA playoff format. I'd theorize upsets being more common in the NHL than NBA likely played into the NHL doing reseeding after the 1st round.

 

[Korpse]

I like to current format but more importantly I think it has the potential to be better if the league moves to 36 teams.

Four 9 team divisions. 2 games vs each team in other divisions. 3-4 against teams in your divison. No wild card. 1st and 2nd get a bye. 3v6, 4v5 in a shorter series for the first round. 16/36 teams making the playoffs is going to lead to longer playoff droughts and more apathetic fan bases.

 

[x Tame Impala]

Bettman says every other year or so how there's absolutely zero plans for changing the playoff format. Real bummer. Go back to the 1-8 system where the division winners are guaranteed a top seed. There are no rivalries anymore and if they will happen they'll materialize organically like the Canucks and Blackhawks did. It doesn't come from Edmonton being forced to play LA every year.

 

[x Tame Impala]

I know building rivalries is the main talking point with the current format but I think one of the biggest benefits that they like is how it is a set bracket. The old 1-8 system had reseeding which to casual fans is a lot more confusing. I think if we do see the return to 1-8 it will be without reseeding. So the winner of the 1 Vs. 8 would face the winner of 4 Vs. 5 and the winner of 2 Vs. 7 would face the winner of 3 Vs. 6.

Are you sure there was re-seeding in the old format? The Kings played the #1, 2, and 3 seeds in the West in 2012.

 

[LightningStorm]

I think I actually like the current division-based format a hair better than the old format. With the current format you always seem to get some really great matchups in the first round, generally teams from a strong division that end up finishing 2nd and 3rd in that division. Then the conference finals and SCF are interesting in their own right due to the stakes being so high by then.

My issue with this is as the quantity decreases as the playoffs go along, quality becomes more important. Great matchups in the first round aren't as important to me since there's 8 series going on.

 

[SheldonJPlankton]

If the NHL makes it a 36 team league then they ought to move to a 32 team playoff bracket with team one playing team 32, et al.

More playoff series, more playoff games, a huge increase in playoff revenue and, most importantly, regular season finishes matter greatly...right up to game 82.

 

[LightningStorm]

If the NHL makes it a 36 team league then they ought to move to a 32 team playoff bracket with team one playing team 32, et al.

More playoff series, more playoff games, a huge increase in playoff revenue and, most importantly, regular season finishes matter greatly...right up to game 82.

Not only would doubling the teams add little quality, but it would only further wear down teams after an already long season and further shorten the offseason. Not worth it. I'm also not in favor of a 1-16 due to more taxing travel in what's already a grind.

 

[ToastedRavioli]

Are you sure there was re-seeding in the old format? The Kings played the #1, 2, and 3 seeds in the West in 2012.

That's because they were the 8th seed. They faced the 1 seed Vancouver first. Then when they won, 2 seed St. Louis played them because they were the worst seeded team that made it to the second round.

 

[Golden_Jet]

I don’t mind the current hybrid system
Division winners get

1 vs 8
2 vs 7

And then the rest get the 2/3 divisional matchups
NHL and some like having a bracket to fill out, before playoffs start.

I’m good with either, just against more teams getting in, or expanded.

 

[SheldonJPlankton]

Not only would doubling the teams add little quality, but it would only further wear down teams after an already long season and further shorten the offseason. Not worth it. I'm also not in favor of a 1-16 due to more taxing travel in what's already a grind.

I disagree. Adding an additional 16 playoff teams would dramatically increase league quality...as most teams would now be playing for playoff standing during basically the whole season. The trade deadline becomes all about quality...as in most teams will need to hold on to their players so the few trades made will be by desperate teams willing to grossly overpay for a handful of targets.

You would see an expanded postseason...but that would only be for an extra 4-7 games.

 

[La Bamba]

Whatever format that lessens the odds of another Oilers vs. Kings match up

I'm sick of them lol

 

[MardyBum]

The bigger issue for me is the lack of re-seeding after the first round. Fix that dumb shit first. You don't need brackets.

Jets/Preds playing second round in 18 as the #1 and #2 teams in the league is dumb.

 

[wetcoast]

Which playoff format do you prefer, the current division playoff format of isolating the top 3 teams from each division from each other until the conference finals, or the straight #1-#8 conference seeding that lasted from the 1994-2013 SCP? The same format that the NBA playoffs uses (though they don't reseed for the 2nd round). My preference is the 1-8 format by a mile (or km for the Canadians here).

I didn't vote but I'll go one step further and say 1-16 would be more "organic"

But the NHL will never do this as the eastern teams have a huge travel advantage they will never give up.

Changed my mind voted 1-8 as it's closer to my preferred choice and has the same thought process behind it.

 

[LightningStorm]

I didn't vote but I'll go one step further and say 1-16 would be more "organic"

But the NHL will never do this as the eastern teams have a huge travel advantage they will never give up.

Changed my mind voted 1-8 as it's closer to my preferred choice and has the same thought process behind it.

I understand the preference for 1-16. However, I think adding even more (potential) travel to the playoffs would be needlessly taxing on the players in what's already a taxing postseason. And the bigger reason the league would never do it than the east teams travel advantage is owners wouldn't be into adding needless travel costs.

 

[BoHorvat 53]

This current division format is so incredibly dumb, I think the Western Conference sums it up right now - the Stars currently sit 2nd in their division but in the conference overall they're 2nd as well. Under the old format, they'd be projected to play the Blues/Wild depending on how these final stretch of games go, instead they're almost certainly locked up in a grudge match against the Avs in round 1 - a matchup that is conference finals caliber that is happening in the 1st round and is going to change the outlook for one of these team's off-season by losing in the 1st round when reality is these 2 teams might be the best in the conference overall.

 

[LightningStorm]

This current division format is so incredibly dumb, I think the Western Conference sums it up right now - the Stars currently sit 2nd in their division but in the conference overall they're 2nd as well. Under the old format, they'd be projected to play the Blues/Wild depending on how these final stretch of games go, instead they're almost certainly locked up in a grudge match against the Avs in round 1 - a matchup that is conference finals caliber that is happening in the 1st round and is going to change the outlook for one of these team's off-season by losing in the 1st round when reality is these 2 teams might be the best in the conference overall.

Exactly. Since this format has been instituted in 2014, the divisions in each conference have often been unbalanced, with the Atlantic and Central being better. This had led to several conference final caliber matchups in the first round, and I think its much better for the game for those matchups to occur later. Lost track of how many times we've seen a first round matchup in what would've been 2 vs 3 in a 1-8, and a 3 seed not getting home ice in round 1 just feels wrong.

 

[Midnight Judges]

If the NHL makes it a 36 team league then they ought to move to a 32 team playoff bracket with team one playing team 32, et al.

More playoff series, more playoff games, a huge increase in playoff revenue and, most importantly, regular season finishes matter greatly...right up to game 82.

In that scenario the regular season would be almost entirely pointless.

Low stakes hockey sucks pretty bad dude. Exhibition games and the all star games are lame. High stakes hockey (like playoff hockey) is universally regarded as far superior to watch. Not sure why anyone would want to turn meaningful hockey into a ‘who cares’ event.

 

[Midnight Judges]

This current division format is so incredibly dumb, I think the Western Conference sums it up right now - the Stars currently sit 2nd in their division but in the conference overall they're 2nd as well. Under the old format, they'd be projected to play the Blues/Wild depending on how these final stretch of games go, instead they're almost certainly locked up in a grudge match against the Avs in round 1 - a matchup that is conference finals caliber that is happening in the 1st round and is going to change the outlook for one of these team's off-season by losing in the 1st round when reality is these 2 teams might be the best in the conference overall.

Agree.

The single most impactful outcome of divvying up divisions (as opposed to merit based seeding) is that a crappy team can gain a benefit over a deserving team.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Lost track of how many times we've seen a first round matchup in what would've been 2 vs 3 in a 1-8, and a 3 seed not getting home ice in round 1 just feels wrong.

Very unlikely a divisional 3 seed gets home ice in a 1-8.

 

[Golden_Jet]

If the NHL makes it a 36 team league then they ought to move to a 32 team playoff bracket with team one playing team 32, et al.

More playoff series, more playoff games, a huge increase in playoff revenue and, most importantly, regular season finishes matter greatly...right up to game 82.

lol no to 32 team playoffs.