The NHL playoff system has been a hot topic lately, especially after Wild GM Bill Guerin voiced his concerns. Guerin highlighted the tough first-round matchups his team faces, saying, "That's really the crappy part of it, somebody's going home... one of the top three teams should not be going home [in Round 1]."
Fans and analysts from various platforms have echoed this sentiment, suggesting a return to the 1 vs. 8 format from the 2000s. This format involved either three division winners and five wildcards or two division leaders and six wildcards. However, implementing this would require restructuring the league into three or four divisions per conference.
But let's consider another option inspired by the AHL: the 4x4 or 5x3 method. This system takes the top four teams from each division, but if the fifth team in one division has more points than the fourth in another, they get in.
This approach seems fairer, but guess what? The current NHL system already mirrors this.
Right now, both the Atlantic and Central divisions are sending five teams to the playoffs due to their strength. The wildcards are Utah and Nashville in the West, and Boston and Ottawa in the East, with three teams each from the Pacific and Metro divisions. Despite its quirks, the current system achieves similar outcomes to the proposed "fairer" methods.
The system, crafted for maximum entertainment, often features divisional rivalries like Caps vs. Pens, The Battle of Florida, and Leafs vs.
Habs. The Wild's frustration stems from facing powerhouses like the Dallas Stars and the Avalanche in their division, creating a competitive three-way battle.
Ultimately, while the matchups can seem daunting, the system is designed to deliver thrilling hockey and fair competition. It might not be perfect, but it’s achieving what it set out to do: exciting, high-stakes playoff hockey.