Home Ice

[Octopus's Garden 147]

With Washington out ... no matter which team it is, the West champ will have home ice in the finals. That is ridiculous.

[Vincanni 1]

Yeah I just noticed this myself, and yes the East sucks.

[FunkedUp 29]

Yeah, the east is pretty weak. All the "top" teams, aside from the Pens, are out. Montreal, Boston, or Philly aren't exactly powerhouse teams either. I'm expecting the Pen's in 5, and the Bos/Phi series is going to be a tossup. I can definitely see that series going 7. Chicago and Vancouver will also be a great series, possibly 7 games.

[Vincanni 1]

However, much like in the NBA the team that makes it out of the East will be a lot fresher in the finals due to the cake walk (compared to the West) to get there. Not even going to mention the travel differences or scratch the surface of how terrible the Southeast Division is.

[stevieisthebest 80]

Wouldn't Pittsburgh get home ice if we were to play them? Or does it not go on seeding, just record?

[Buppy 1,720]

Wouldn't Pittsburgh get home ice if we were to play them? Or does it not go on seeding, just record?

Goes by the better record. We would have home ice.

Just noticed a wierd oddity this year...one of each seed advanced. 1, 2, 3, 5 in the West. 4, 6, 7, 8 in the East.

Edited April 29, 2010 by Buppy

[Lovin Jiri Fischer 147]

As it has been said over and over again, the East has the best individuals and the West has the best teams. The Wings would have been a 3rd seed in the East this year. It's getting to the point where they aren't even exciting games to watch anymore.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

However, much like in the NBA the team that makes it out of the East will be a lot fresher in the finals due to the cake walk (compared to the West) to get there. Not even going to mention the travel differences or scratch the surface of how terrible the Southeast Division is.

That's the worst part. They play in a s*** conference and we have to suffer for it.

Not that I don't believe the champs should have to overcome that obstacle, it just sticks in my craw.

[Lovin Jiri Fischer 147]

Imagine if it was North and South instead of East and West (I know that it's not possible or practical at all so don't jump all over me). But then one conference can have the Leafs, Sens, Oilers, and Islanders. The other conference can have the Thrashers, Panthers, Canes, and Lightning. Then everyone would get to beat up on someone all season long.