If we can’t beat Tampa in round 1, we won’t in round 2 or 3 either.
Be the better team. I’m sick of this loser whiny bullshit about the playoff format.
TheGreatCanadian13
I just wanna go back to the 1v8 format instead of this wild card shit
patrickjc43
This shows why the league did it, they want more divisional matchups like NYR vs NJD in first round. I don’t like it, but that’s why they did it. Personally I think a Leafs vs. Rangers first round would be awesome.
Outrageous-Estimate9
You guys understand the reason they got rid of the 1-8 is because division winners (with worse w-l records) kept getting seeded home advantage in playoffs right?
Esp with Southeast Division which was total weaksauce
New format tends to be far more balanced but if you really want a revamp explain to me why Toronto is even in a division with Tampa / Florida in the first place? Nashville (and even St Louis) are much closer geographically to Florida. Then Chicago, Columbus and Detroit makes more sense in the Leafs division. And flip Carolina.
shittybillz
I like 1 Vs 8 for two reasons. One, it provides more variety in matchups. It’s more likely Toronto and Tampa keep facing off, as they’re both good teams and have a very good chance to finish 2nd and 3rd year after year. This applies to LA and Edmonton as well who are both in cup windows.
1 Vs 8 allows you to finish anywhere and face anyone. Divisional matchups in round 1 hamper the variety you can see
Second reason is we are missing out on some potentially outer divisional rivalries that happen organically. Think of Vancouver Vs Chicago, Edmonton Vs Dallas, Detroit Vs Colorado, Ottawa Vs Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Vs the caps (when they were in different divisions – same with NYR Vs Caps) Chicago Vs LA.
Now the rivalries are inorganic, and though still fun, we are missing some potentially awesome series. I’d like the chance to play the Blues, Preds, Stars, Jets or wild in round 1, not LA or Vegas every year (as an oilers fan)
lifeishardasshit
I get it… This year, not much of a difference. But there’s going to be a year where two same division teams are really good and two others suck and the one of the good ones will get bounced in the 1st round because of this goofy format.
Diab9lic
We’re 6th in both formats…
🤪
Omfgukk
You guys know they do that because of money reasons right? Tv stations can sell a rematch of last year’s playoffs way easier than say NJD vs TB.
ChinLeader
It gives teams less of an advantage when they’re a higher seed. Teams should get rewarded for getting a higher seed imo.
juicygoosy921
Wtf are the ranking numbers for on the left side then?
cabra-montana
Just do the top 2 seeds in each Div get home ice 1-4 and wildcard 5-8. Please.
iJams16
You gotta beat those teams either way. If you can’t, then you weren’t a cup contender. Divisional matchups with some inherent rivalry drive up ratings and excitement. I think wild card serves its purpose and the best teams ought to be able to win regardless.
Sp1der24
Bring back 1-16 seeding and call it a day
JasonPlattMusic34
I’d rather see more Rangers-Devils and Leafs-Bolts series than the other option. Plus it would be hilarious for the memes if Tampa won a Game 7 in Toronto again lol
QuintShahkHuntah
I’m old. Bring back the divisional playoffs.
Top four in each division make it.
Play more games within division.
5/7/7/7 game series.
I miss the animosity created by knowing your opponents so well.
I know I know, it’s a different game now than then. But still….
frankstuckinapark
Corporate wants you to review these two pictures
Wonderful_Western_54
What about metro 2 plays Atlantic 3 amd Atlantic 2 plays metro 3. Between the two division winners who ever has the best record plays wild card 2 and the other plays wild card 1
grxknight
Toronto might have won a playoff series if they kept the format… confirmed the NHL hates Toronto
Hufflepuff_Baseball
When did they change this? I always thought it was 1-8
CMFT_69
No matter how it’s done Leafs are still losing
Darth_Vicious
1 v 8 would have similar results in the West
AssaultPK
Last week it was the leafs playing Lightning… and rangers playing Devils… yet everyone still cries
Hopfit46
….this year.
skankhunt42776
SOMEBODY PLEASE KNOCK OUT BOSTON!
medina607
This is all about trying to protect Toronto from a tough opponent in the first round.
Sindaga
I just want to see a format where the highest seeds get to pick who they face, each round until the cup final obviously.
wings31
Do no difference. Toronto loses either way.
finner333
Now sort by ROW
Sithlordbelichick
Impressive very nice now let’s see the western conference
tdfast
You want to win the Cup, you have to beat everyone. So you can’t whine about your first round matchup. Just fucking win and it doesn’t matter.
I see more of argument for a team missing the playoffs with more points than another team has that makes it. That’s a piss off but that’s the only complaint I care about.
canmoreman
Back in the mid to late eighties. The 1-2 teams in the league were Edmonton and Calgary with Winn in the top7. They played in the smythe division and playoffs meant those teams played each other early. These two teams won every stanley cup for five straight years and six of seven. To win the cup you gotta beat the beat whenever you play them. The three hottest teams since christmas are VGK/LA/EDM and two of them will meet in the first round. Gotta win every round. 1-8 or wildcard or the old 1-16 format really doesn’t matter. Just win against who ever is in front of you
scumbagstaceysEx
NYR or TBL will be a tough out either way. But NJD-NYR series are always instant classics and it’s better for the league. Plus saves travel costs. Both teams sleep in their own bed every night of the series.
32 Comments
Leafs fan here.
If we can’t beat Tampa in round 1, we won’t in round 2 or 3 either.
Be the better team. I’m sick of this loser whiny bullshit about the playoff format.
I just wanna go back to the 1v8 format instead of this wild card shit
This shows why the league did it, they want more divisional matchups like NYR vs NJD in first round. I don’t like it, but that’s why they did it. Personally I think a Leafs vs. Rangers first round would be awesome.
You guys understand the reason they got rid of the 1-8 is because division winners (with worse w-l records) kept getting seeded home advantage in playoffs right?
Esp with Southeast Division which was total weaksauce
New format tends to be far more balanced but if you really want a revamp explain to me why Toronto is even in a division with Tampa / Florida in the first place? Nashville (and even St Louis) are much closer geographically to Florida. Then Chicago, Columbus and Detroit makes more sense in the Leafs division. And flip Carolina.
I like 1 Vs 8 for two reasons. One, it provides more variety in matchups. It’s more likely Toronto and Tampa keep facing off, as they’re both good teams and have a very good chance to finish 2nd and 3rd year after year. This applies to LA and Edmonton as well who are both in cup windows.
1 Vs 8 allows you to finish anywhere and face anyone. Divisional matchups in round 1 hamper the variety you can see
Second reason is we are missing out on some potentially outer divisional rivalries that happen organically. Think of Vancouver Vs Chicago, Edmonton Vs Dallas, Detroit Vs Colorado, Ottawa Vs Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Vs the caps (when they were in different divisions – same with NYR Vs Caps) Chicago Vs LA.
Now the rivalries are inorganic, and though still fun, we are missing some potentially awesome series. I’d like the chance to play the Blues, Preds, Stars, Jets or wild in round 1, not LA or Vegas every year (as an oilers fan)
I get it… This year, not much of a difference. But there’s going to be a year where two same division teams are really good and two others suck and the one of the good ones will get bounced in the 1st round because of this goofy format.
We’re 6th in both formats…
🤪
You guys know they do that because of money reasons right? Tv stations can sell a rematch of last year’s playoffs way easier than say NJD vs TB.
It gives teams less of an advantage when they’re a higher seed. Teams should get rewarded for getting a higher seed imo.
Wtf are the ranking numbers for on the left side then?
Just do the top 2 seeds in each Div get home ice 1-4 and wildcard 5-8. Please.
You gotta beat those teams either way. If you can’t, then you weren’t a cup contender. Divisional matchups with some inherent rivalry drive up ratings and excitement. I think wild card serves its purpose and the best teams ought to be able to win regardless.
Bring back 1-16 seeding and call it a day
I’d rather see more Rangers-Devils and Leafs-Bolts series than the other option. Plus it would be hilarious for the memes if Tampa won a Game 7 in Toronto again lol
I’m old. Bring back the divisional playoffs.
Top four in each division make it.
Play more games within division.
5/7/7/7 game series.
I miss the animosity created by knowing your opponents so well.
I know I know, it’s a different game now than then. But still….
Corporate wants you to review these two pictures
What about metro 2 plays Atlantic 3 amd Atlantic 2 plays metro 3. Between the two division winners who ever has the best record plays wild card 2 and the other plays wild card 1
Toronto might have won a playoff series if they kept the format… confirmed the NHL hates Toronto
When did they change this? I always thought it was 1-8
No matter how it’s done Leafs are still losing
1 v 8 would have similar results in the West
Last week it was the leafs playing Lightning… and rangers playing Devils… yet everyone still cries
….this year.
SOMEBODY PLEASE KNOCK OUT BOSTON!
This is all about trying to protect Toronto from a tough opponent in the first round.
I just want to see a format where the highest seeds get to pick who they face, each round until the cup final obviously.
Do no difference. Toronto loses either way.
Now sort by ROW
Impressive very nice now let’s see the western conference
You want to win the Cup, you have to beat everyone. So you can’t whine about your first round matchup. Just fucking win and it doesn’t matter.
I see more of argument for a team missing the playoffs with more points than another team has that makes it. That’s a piss off but that’s the only complaint I care about.
Back in the mid to late eighties. The 1-2 teams in the league were Edmonton and Calgary with Winn in the top7. They played in the smythe division and playoffs meant those teams played each other early. These two teams won every stanley cup for five straight years and six of seven. To win the cup you gotta beat the beat whenever you play them. The three hottest teams since christmas are VGK/LA/EDM and two of them will meet in the first round. Gotta win every round. 1-8 or wildcard or the old 1-16 format really doesn’t matter. Just win against who ever is in front of you
NYR or TBL will be a tough out either way. But NJD-NYR series are always instant classics and it’s better for the league. Plus saves travel costs. Both teams sleep in their own bed every night of the series.