Should the NHL have first round byes in the playoffs?

[Icer 0]

The NHL already tried byes. They were used from 1974-75 through the 1978-79 season. First round was a best of 3. I never liked it from a fan's standpoint because if your team had a bye, you had to wait.

But the layoff didn't seem to make a bit of difference to the players. Every Stanley Cup champion between 1974-75 and 1978-79 had a first round bye.

[pjgj13 30]

Instead of seeding the teams in each conference, seed them 1 - 16 and then that way, you have a good shot at the top 2 teams overall in the finals. Also, no automatic berths for winning your (weak) division. Teams are seeded by points, then games then wins.

As of now it would be....

Wings/Coyotes

Sens/Canucks

Sharks/Preds

Canadiens/Aves

Stars/Bruins

Fkyers/Devils

Wild/Ducks

Pens/Flames

Use the same bracket the NCAA uses for their tourney. So if it happens 1 vs. 2 will happen only in the finals.

[OsGOD 3]

At least this way we would be guarenteed a 2nd round bid!!!!

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Nooooo, That long of a lay off, Would kill the top 2 teams.

Not to mention Red Wings Playoff Games are the best.

QFT

Look at how bad the Wings looked the first couple periods against Phoenix, and that was only a week layoff. This would not be an advantage in the playoffs.

[stormboy 47]

i like the idea that winning your conference gives you more of an edge, but i'm not sure this is the way to do it. it makes sense that home ice advantage would mean a lot if the series goes to a game seven, which is essentially like playing a single-elimination game. but in say, football, home field is a bigger advantage because you have 100 % of the games in that round at home.

but, i guess there's something to be said for the fact that as long as you make it into the playoffs, you're not given that much of a disadvantage. that way if a team wins the president's trophy and the cup, it's not like, "well, they had a really easy playoff run..."

[Guest Crymson]

Hell no. Do you think anyone wants to be deprived of a round of playoff hockey?

[betterREDthandead 58]

If they were to change to my ideal playoff format it would requre expansion and massive realignment.

Til then I think what they have going now is just fine. No changes. No expanding the playoffs.

[joshy207 156]

You know what I miss? Divisional playoffs. The old first- and second-round Norris battles were the absolute best. I hate the "Conference" crap.

The league should go back to 4 divisions, expansion or no expansion, and back to the divisional playoff format.

[Kp-Wings 3]

You know what I miss? Divisional playoffs. The old first- and second-round Norris battles were the absolute best. I hate the "Conference" crap.

The league should go back to 4 divisions, expansion or no expansion, and back to the divisional playoff format.

Agreed. I have some old matchups against Toronto and Chicago on tape, and those are some amazingly entertaining games. Nothing in the NHL today can compare to the old divisional matchups of the 80's/90's.