paulster2626
Well-Known Member
Rangers actually clicking tonight against the Pens.
How exactly do the playoffs work now? I understand top 3 in each division + 2 wild cards, but I'm wondering about seeding. For instance, what if 5 Atlantic teams have more points than the top 3 metropolitan teams? Does it get seeded by overall ranking within the conference, or do certain teams get guaranteed seeds (like how the division winners were each guaranteed top 3 seeds in the previous system)?
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/the-explainer-new-nhl-playoff-seeding-format-1.1871216
You have the top 3 teams in each division - they're in.
Then you have the next 2 teams with the highest points from either division as the "wild cards"
So then take the 2 division leaders - the one with the most points will play the wild card team with the least points.
The other division leader will play the other wild card team.
That leaves spots 2 and 3 in each division - these teams simply play each other.
So if you had this:
ATLANTIC
1. Toronto (119 points, eventual stanley cup champions)
2. Tampa
3. Boston
4. Detroit (94 points, only 1 shootout win)
5. Florida (94 points, but 4 shootout wins)
6. Buffalo
7. Montreal
8. Ottawa
METROSEXUAL
1. Islanders (104 points)
2. Canes
3. Jackets
4. Rangers (93points)
5. Capitals (92points)
6. Flyers
7. Devils
8. Penguins
Your playoffs would look like this:
Toronto v. Florida
Islanders v. Detroit
Tampa v. Boston
Canes v. Jackets
Pennsylvania is left to suck it, along with Ottawa and Montreal fans pleasuring each other on those cool spring evenings while Canada's team steams along towards Stanley Cup Glory.
I hope this makes sense.