The NHL playoff format creates early-round matchups that inevitably guarantees elimination of elite teams while ensuring that lesser clubs advance
The most inequitable playoff format in North American pro sports creates early-round matchups that inevitably guarantees elimination of elite teams while ensuring that lesser clubs advance. The system also typically generates more interest early in the tournament instead of reaching a crescendo with the conference finals and Stanley Cup final.
It is as if the French Open created a seeding system under which Rafa Nadal would face Daniil Medvedev in this year’s opening round. Why general managers of perpetually successful teams stand for this system is beyond me. But if they don’t care and if owners who stand to lose significant revenue because of the absence of integrity in the system don’t care, then why would anyone else?
Both teams are worthy Cup contenders. Only one will get out of the first round. I’m not so sure it is going to be Toronto. The Panthers have not won a playoff series since 1996, when they obstructed their way to the final in their third year of existence. Indeed, that is the only year the Panthers have ever won a playoff round. They come into this event as Presidents’ Trophy winners off a 58-17-6 season keyed by an explosive, multidimensional offense triggered by Jonathan Huberdeau and Aleksander Barkov. Acquiring both Sam’s They Am —Bennett and Reinhart — represented a coup.
Who are the Wild, GM Billy Guerin’s compelling creation, going to go with in nets? Will they go with Cam Talbot, 12-0-3/.920/2.30 after the trade deadline acquisition of Marc-Andre Fleury? Or will it be the three-time 37-year-old ring-wearer, who went 9-0-2/.910/2.74 after his trade from the Blackhawks? Does Minnesota have two No. 1’s or none?When the Bruins were drubbing the ’Canes in those recent series, they had the exceptional Tuukka Rask in nets. Now, it’s Linus Ullmark or Jeremy Swayman.
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