Sean Maloughney: An Oilers vs Hawks Playoff Series?

Chicago won the season series on the back of 5-on-5 scoring so that would likely be the x-factor. Good news is that, despite the deadline additions not being perfect, the Oilers improved to 50% (21-21) at that strength in the 9 games after the deadline. Small samples n poop, of course.

A bigger sample since the Kailer call-up, the team is 107-88 (84-77 at evens). It stands true that the guys would have to come out hot on the special teams and we'd need to pray the Nuge-Drai-Yamo line can maintain its form otherwise there'll be problems.

Chicago won the season series on the back of 5-on-5 scoring so that would likely be the x-factor. Good news is that, despite the deadline additions not being perfect, the Oilers improved to 50% (21-21) at that strength in the 9 games after the deadline. Small samples n poop, of course.

A bigger sample since the Kailer call-up, the team is 107-88 (84-77 at evens). It stands true that the guys would have to come out hot on the special teams and we'd need to pray the Nuge-Drai-Yamo line can maintain its form otherwise there'll be problems.
- MaximumBone

You fellas couldn't get a much easier foe. Hawks shouldn't be anywhere near a playoff spot. 3 games....and off you go to the Round of 16.

Dach needs to be included among the Hawks high end forwards. He’s already a better all around player than DeBrincat. So if you’re gonna include Cat in that group I’d include Dach too.

I thought the top 4 teams play one game against another to determine the ranking of 1-4. So Sean why do you say the Oilers would play Dallas???

I thought the top 4 teams play one game against another to determine the ranking of 1-4. So Sean why do you say the Oilers would play Dallas???
- FlamesFan1230

Top 4 teams get a buy. There is talk of them doing a three game tournament purely to get into game action. Rankings remain as they are now.

I’m not sure how I feel about this format. To me, I think if you can’t finish out an 82 game schedule they should just cancel the season. No awards or anything. This seems gimmicky to me.

I like the proposition so long as it includes a re-seeding after the play-in round is over. Otherwise, you run the risk of Dallas getting the 12th ranked seed instead of St Louis as it should be.

I’m not sure how I feel about this format. To me, I think if you can’t finish out an 82 game schedule they should just cancel the season. No awards or anything. This seems gimmicky to me.
- doon

I wholeheartedly disagree. The playoffs are why people watch so I'd much rather they play the damn things. The play-in format is perhaps a bit gimmicky but I think it's the fairest method other than just straight pts%.

Since they're doing this, I think the smartest plan would actually involve shortening next season, but they seem wholly against not playing 82 games next season so I guess we'll be looking at a compacted schedule with expanded rosters.

Top 4 teams get a buy. There is talk of them doing a three game tournament purely to get into game action. Rankings remain as they are now.
- freelancer

Also heard they seed based on how that "mini-tourny" seeds them. That part not finalized I don't think.

I’m not sure how I feel about this format. To me, I think if you can’t finish out an 82 game schedule they should just cancel the season. No awards or anything. This seems gimmicky to me.
- doon

If speaking "fairness" i agree. But, the NHL and NHLPA simply looking for the best way to recover as much of the loses as possible. It may be honorable to just cancel the season and look to re-start new next year. But with millions...no, Billions...to be made with a "gimicky" playoff. No doubt, a playoff we will have!!!

The most games played for a team is 71, the least amount is 68.

8 teams have played 71, 11 teams have played 70, 10 teams have played 69 (lol nice) and 2 teams have played 68. Every team plays 75 games.

Now an issue that came up during my thought process here was like hey, it's not fair for a team like Edmonton who won't get as many tune up games after their four games played because a team like Carolina (with 68), will get 3 more. The solution that I came up with was after you play your 75th game, you have a "friendly" type game where you play against another team that has either finished all their games in the other conference, or you play a team that is already eliminated, such a Detroit.

Since the lottery is gonna be a little bit weird, teams that are eliminated should be enticed to play these "friendlies" by having extra balls thrown in when it comes to who picks first overall. After Carolina and New York Islanders are done with their eight games, you keep the 24 team playoff with the same rules that they'll set for the top four teams, but it allows a team like Buffalo a team that could catch up to Montreal with their games in hand, a chance to actually make the playoffs.

It would allow for competitive play after the long break as well decide the playoffs.

There'll be flaws with this, but I think this is a solid idea. Add poop if you want.

I’m not sure how I feel about this format. To me, I think if you can’t finish out an 82 game schedule they should just cancel the season. No awards or anything. This seems gimmicky to me.
- doon

Who cares how gimmicky it is? The players want to play, fans want to watch hockey, and cash makes the world go round.

It'd be nice if they came up with something else besides awarding the Stanley Cup though. There'll always be a giant asterisk next to it, which will make things hell for Flames fans having to defend their asterisk Cup win until the end of time.

Who cares how gimmicky it is? The players want to play, fans want to watch hockey, and cash makes the world go round.

It'd be nice if they came up with something else besides awarding the Stanley Cup though. There'll always be a giant asterisk next to it, which will make things hell for Flames fans having to defend their asterisk Cup win until the end of time.
- Hunkulese

Fear not, this will not be a problem you will have to face.

Who cares how gimmicky it is? The players want to play, fans want to watch hockey, and cash makes the world go round.

It'd be nice if they came up with something else besides awarding the Stanley Cup though. There'll always be a giant asterisk next to it, which will make things hell for Flames fans having to defend their asterisk Cup win until the end of time.
- Hunkulese

There isn't going to be any f******* asterisk beside the Cup winner this year. all the teams have played similar amount of games I have had the same amount of time to rest injured players the only difference is this stupid pandemic that morons like you are panicking over

There isn't going to be any f******* asterisk beside the Cup winner this year. all the teams have played similar amount of games I have had the same amount of time to rest injured players the only difference is this stupid pandemic that morons like you are panicking over
- GPHawksfan

I agree with you but the Hawks shouldn't be there...or the Habs, or the Coyotes, or the NYRangers. Maybe the 9th and maaaaaaaayb3 the tenth seeds could have a short wild-card type series to get the 7th and 8th spots. But the 5the and 6th seeds got screwed here. CHI and MTL should not be there though. In the case of the Habs, they already know they aren't in the playoffs...they sold off players (Kovy) knowing that they are not in the playoffs, and even Gallagher said that he's not interested in playing more hockey this season.

I firmly believe that if the 10-12 seeds were not MTL, CHI, NYR (ARZ to a lesser degree) that they would not have had the 24 team format. If the 10-12 seeds were...say FLA, OTT, ANH, CLB....they wouldn't be there.

It's dumb but count me in for being happy to watch hockey again. I think I might actually be rooting for the Penguins though, given the ridiculousness of MTL being allowed into this dance.

I wholeheartedly disagree. The playoffs are why people watch so I'd much rather they play the damn things. The play-in format is perhaps a bit gimmicky but I think it's the fairest method other than just straight pts%.

Since they're doing this, I think the smartest plan would actually involve shortening next season, but they seem wholly against not playing 82 games next season so I guess we'll be looking at a compacted schedule with expanded rosters.
- MaximumBone

My sentiments exactly.

I’m a Hawks fan and I agree with you. Although the Hawks and their young players are trending in the right direction, they should not be in the dance. You are right about the Hawks, Habs and Rangers, the only reason that they are in is due to $$, as all three of these teams generate money for the league. That being said, Go Hawks!