Eklund: Would The NHL Be Better With a 4/5 Play-in Game? Buzz @1

They have a 4-5 play in.

It's called the regular season.

Why not just have the 8th place team play the 7th place team. Whoever wins that places the 6th place team. Whoever wins that plays the 5th place team. Whoever wins that plays the 4th place team to make the playoffs. That way, a powerhouse team like the Columbus Blue Jackets could still emerge from their division. Or the red-hot Ottawa Senators (7-2-1 in last 10) could still go on a run. Fans would stay interested and teams could raise participation banners the next season.

meh. closer to normal is better. how many chances does a team need? They should have set up a crossover threshold though. Winnipeg and Montreal aren't really playoff teams and they're being rewarded for the fact that Calgary and Vancouver suck and Ottawa took too long to find their feet. There are American teams that are more deserving of those spots.

Maybe if the 5th seeded teams had played better they would have made the playoffs.

at 32 teams going into next season , one has to wonder if the nhl will start tweaking it's playoff format

Why not just have the 8th place team play the 7th place team. Whoever wins that places the 6th place team. Whoever wins that plays the 5th place team. Whoever wins that plays the 4th place team to make the playoffs. That way, a powerhouse team like the Columbus Blue Jackets could still emerge from their division. Or the red-hot Ottawa Senators (7-2-1 in last 10) could still go on a run. Fans would stay interested and teams could raise participation banners the next season.
- Kooleus

Easy to be red hot playing meaningless games. Zero pressure

Do you like it?
- Eklund

No. Not even a little. The season was a 56 game play in.

No - stop participation medals. Last year made sense

The Rangers from ownership down to the team were singlehandedly cucked by Tom Wilson. The definition of not legit.

meh. closer to normal is better. how many chances does a team need? They should have set up a crossover threshold though. Winnipeg and Montreal aren't really playoff teams and they're being rewarded for the fact that Calgary and Vancouver suck and Ottawa took too long to find their feet. There are American teams that are more deserving of those spots.
- OilyJay

And I suppose you think the Oilers are a deserving team? The Oilers have not faired much better against Montreal and Calgary.

The entire season was against divisional opponents.

You don't need a best of 3 or 5 or something to erase what happened over 56 games.

The Rangers from ownership down to the team were singlehandedly cucked by Tom Wilson. The definition of not legit.
- glove_was_stuck

Wilson was the instrument.

The league cucked the Rangers.

No.

Wilson was the instrument.

The league cucked the Rangers.
- Aetherial

No.
- bcallaway

I got the same text.

at 32 teams going into next season , one has to wonder if the nhl will start tweaking it's playoff format
- Alexzanki

Good point, though half the teams making the playoffs is a nice even number.

Pick the subject.
Give it to man.
Give him some time, and,he will frank it up.

Easy to be red hot playing meaningless games. Zero pressure
- poopstash

Looks like you are a Kings fan. They also had zero pressure. Did they go 7-2-1, since its apparently so easy?

Bottom line...awarding the top 4 teams seems too harsh. Some of those 5-8 teams just had a poor start. They should also be given a chance to participate. Everyone needs a second chance sometimes.

Why? There’s only 2 divisions that 4-5 are close but they’re both separated by 4 and 5 points. The other two divisions are separated by 11 and 9 pts. You shouldn’t punish teams for making the playoffs and possibly reward teams for not.

No the playoffs format works fine the way it is, hopefully everything is somewhat back to normal again next year anyways

More playoff BS, I realize Bettman Is addicted to the smell of money but It's time to reward winning again, 2 points for a win and NO points for a loss regardless of how you lost, 8 teams In the playoffs that's it! If you can't win In the regular season then get the hell out and hit the golf course, No more liberal mediocrity.

Eklund: Would The NHL Be Better With a 4/5 Play-in Game? Buzz @1
- Eklund

No

More playoff BS, I realize Bettman Is addicted to the smell of money but It's time to reward winning again, 2 points for a win and NO points for a loss regardless of how you lost, 8 teams In the playoffs that's it! If you can't win In the regular season then get the hell out and hit the golf course, No more liberal mediocrity.
- Shady1962

What the (frank) does Bettman have to do with it?? This is just more stupid poop from Ek.

Yes those teams are legit. It is the reason they are on the outside looking in.

The Rangers 11 points outside a playoff spot.

The Stars went 2 for 5 down the stretch, while Nashville went 4 for 5, beating Dallas in one them. Seems when it was crunch time, Nashville wanted it more.

The flames are fools gold. The habs and for sure the Jets, have both been garbage down the final stretch. The playoff spot was there for the flames. The started playing well once they thought the games didn't matter anymore. Then they folded against the Jets the second the game had some importance. The only game the Jets have won in the last 10, was the 4-0 against the flames.