The NHL announced it has no plans to change the current playoff format despite ongoing criticism from teams, players, and fans.
Commissioner Gary Bettman defended the existing system during Wednesday’s media availability, according to The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun and Michael Russo.
“More than comfortable. It gives us a sensational first round. Probably the best playoff first round in any sport. We get more games and longer series as a result of the format.”
Bettman acknowledged critics can point to specific situations in individual seasons. But he defended the format’s overall track record.
“If you look at the body of work that our playoffs represent over time, what we have now works extraordinarily well.”
The current system’s problems are on full display in this season’s Western Conference standings.
The Colorado Avalanche lead the NHL with 97 points. The Dallas Stars sit second overall with 94 points. The Minnesota Wild are tied for third league-wide with 90 points.
But all three teams play in the Central Division. That means one of these top teams will be eliminated in the first round if current standings hold.
Meanwhile, the Utah Mammoth would benefit from a much easier path. The Mammoth sit fourth in the Central Division with just 76 points.
As the top wild-card team in the Western Conference, Utah would face the Pacific Division-leading Anaheim Ducks in Round 1. The Ducks have 77 points.
Many critics argue these situations make the regular season less important. Bettman disagreed with that assessment.
“If you look at the races for the playoffs, I think it’s virtually impossible to say that the regular season has no meaning. To the contrary, every game counts.”
The NHL used a different playoff format from 1998-99 through 2013-14.
That system awarded the top three seeds in each conference to division winners. Seeds four through eight went to the next highest-ranked teams in each conference, regardless of division.
The league moved to the current four-division format in 2013-14.
