NHL players publicly slam the league’s playoff format

No doubt about it, the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs provides some of the best action in sports. With big games on every night and so much on the line on a day to day basis, it’s hard to beat the NHL come playoff time.

There is, however, a growing sentiment from fans and analysts that the league needs to seriously change its playoff format. The divisional format and Wild Card format have made made for some odd first round matchups. It may seem like an excuse, but what did the Tampa Bay Lightning get for a historic President’s Trophy winning season? A first round matchup against the red hot Columbus Blue Jackets. Meanwhile, the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs matchup has been set since Christmas…

If you’re one of those fans who feels like the league needs to tweak the format, you’re not alone. The players themselves are with you. A recent poll conducted by the NHLPA revealed that nearly half of the players (48%) favor a change to the league’s playoff format.

"It's kind of tough the fact that a lot of good teams are going out first or second rounds," Blue Jackets defenceman David Savard said. "I think maybe we need to look back at maybe 1 against 8 and play that format."

Added Minnesota Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk: "I can't think of a player that really likes the way it is. It always seems to work out where one division is significantly stronger like last year with Winnipeg and Nashville playing in the second round and absolutely beating the crap out of each other to seven games."

Prior to the NHL’s re-alignment the playoffs were seeded 1-8 in each conference, with divisional winners guaranteed a spot in the top four. With the new divisional/wild card format however, fans are privy to more “rivalries” in the first two rounds, but we’re left wondering if the best teams end up bowing out early. 

In any case, regardless of your preference, it doesn’t look like there’s an appetite for change from the league, despite protestations from fans and the players themselves.