NHL and Gary Bettman under pressure to revise Stanley Cup playoff format

The current NHL playoff format, designed to encourage parity, may instead be responsible for a stagnant postseason landscape. The structure locks the top three teams from each division into playoff spots, leaving four wildcard teams to round out the field. This system often pits powerhouse teams like Toronto, Tampa Bay, and Boston against each other in the first round, resulting in what many fans describe as "Conference Finals disguised as early matchups."

These high-stakes early clashes often eliminate dominant teams from contention prematurely, depriving fans of potentially more thrilling matchups later in the postseason. A well-known example of this occurred in 2016 when St. Louis and Chicago faced off in a series many felt could have easily been the Western Conference Finals.

Returning to the pre-2013 playoff structure, which matched the #1 seed against the #8 seed, could lead to more Cinderella stories and unpredictable runs. Fans fondly remember teams like the 2006 Edmonton Oilers and the 2002 Carolina Hurricanes, who made unexpected appearances in the Stanley Cup Finals. Similarly, J.S. Giguere's stunning performance with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks during their Cinderella run is still talked about today.

Unfortunately, the current format has made such storylines rare. Since the new system was introduced, repeat playoff appearances have become more common, with 13 out of 16 teams returning to the postseason in 2023. The repetition removes much of the excitement and anticipation that comes with fresh matchups and potential upsets.

The clamoring for a return to the old system isn't just from fans. Players like Sidney Crosby, who serves as the face of the NHL, have publicly expressed support for a change. For over 25 years, the league's previous format provided a balanced and competitive postseason structure. If the NHL wants to reignite excitement and unpredictability, they may need to consider reversing course.

Fans are ready for NHL commissioner Gary Bettman to make this change and reinvigorate the league's playoff competition.

Source: Markerzone
NHL and Gary Bettman facing calls to change Stanley Cup playoff format