Get rid of wildcard spot

[Greatzsky 99]

That 5th place team has more points than that 4th place team. I guess that means they're in the playoffs. Ow, my head hurts.

well it was a bit exaggerated, but i personally think its pointless and boring, every sport i follow has 1 leaderboard, not another one designated for playoffs, and that is unneccessary, you must agree with that.

But by your answer you probably dont...

 

[Grifter3511]

well it was a bit exaggerated, but i personally think its pointless and boring, every sport i follow has 1 leaderboard, not another one designated for playoffs, and that is unneccessary, you must agree with that.

But by your answer you probably dont...

I'd argue it's pretty on par with the NFL's standings. 2nd place team in the league may end up playing on wildcard weekend and not even have home field in it.

 

[Menzinger]

The top division slots get locked up fairly early. The wild card chase is often one of the few actually interesting story lines to follow during the regular season.

Always puzzles why so many folks want changes to make the league less fun

 

[Schennanigans]

I just want the top 8 conference standing back.

 

[SirKillalot]

I just want the top 8 conference standing back.

This. Sick of NHL trying to force rivalries with divisional rounds, let them happen organically through the 1 vs. 8 and so on system.

 

[kk]

I don't like the idea posted. I don't want a team with a worse record making the playoffs over a team with a better record in another division in the conference. That's why the 2 WC spots are the way to go.

What I would like changed is the playoff format, go back to 1 plays 8, 2 plays 7, etc. Second round the best team advancing plays the one with the worst record advancing from the first round. Used to be setup better. This forced divisional matchup setup sucks.

 

[coolboarder]

To get rid of wild card, the NHL will have to change the schedule matrix to conference games from 3 games to 2 games and focus on divisional match-up. That means increasing divisional games from 26 to 34 games. This will save Pacific division teams from travelling more than 2 time zones through for first two rounds. Vancouver have had to face Nashville and travel more than 2 time zones for first round while the Oilers just having to travel just one time zone. The same for Dallas travelling to Vegas for first round in 2 time zones. I am in favor of eliminating extra conference games during the regular season.