The greatest sports tournament is about to start. For the next two months, 16 teams are skating for the ultimate prize of lifting the Stanley Cup. Unfortunately, we are almost guaranteed the Conference Semifinals will feature the best teams matching up a round earlier than wanted.
Three seasons ago, the NHL realigned their divisions and the playoff format. With only four divisions, the league wanted to push regional rivalries more in the early rounds of the playoffs and minimize travel for Western Conference teams. As much as that sounds exciting for the fans, it ultimately penalizes teams for their performance during the regular season.
The previous format of seeding the top eight teams in each conference, with division winners given the top two seeds for the first round, rewarded the best teams playing the lowest seeded teams in the opening rounds.
Washington and Pittsburgh finished with the highest point totals in the Eastern Conference. If both succeed in the opening round, that matchup will occur during the second round.
Down the standings are the Lightning and Red Wings. In the old days they are a sixth and eighth seed, respectively. This season they are a first round matchup since they finished second and third within their division. In the old days, they would be sent up against Pittsburgh and Washington, respectively, still allowing Florida to assume the two-seed for winning their division.
The Western Conference is ripe with seeding complaints as well. The top three point getters — Dallas, St. Louis and Chicago — are all in the Central Division. At best, only one of those teams can make the Conference Finals.
At least out West, half of the series are correct. Both division winners will be facing the seventh and eighth best teams. The Eastern Conference features no matchup that would be the same is the old seeding rules were in place.
Compounding the conundrum, the NHL was the only sports league to reseed — regardless of division winners — following their opening round. The idea was brilliant and allowed stronger teams to have the best chance to reach the Conference Finals. Seeing the two best teams throughout the regular season, then proved again in playoffs, is what fans deserve.
What was once one of the few unique and smart marketing moves for professional playoffs, has now turned into the complete opposite.
Rivalries are always great for the fans. There is no reason we have to be forced to see them in only the divisional rounds.
The old format would still give us great storylines this season. Pavel Datsyuk taking on the league’s best in his final NHL season. The upstart Panthers against the bullies from Philadelphia. The defending conference champions facing the hottest team in the league. Then there would be that little rivalry separated by six miles of New York subway tracks.
The Western Conference, though further apart geographically, would have some amazing opening round drama. Chicago and Los Angeles would battle to see who could continue their conference dominance. The Sharks and Blues — two teams with little playoff success — are two franchises that have eerily the same track the past five or so seasons.
Leagues often think they are doing what is best for their product and the fans. In this case, the best two months of tournament play was never broken and didn’t need fixing.
Follow Adam on Twitter @Adam_PHN and you can always reach him at adam.minnick@prohockeynews.com
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