A team that's in 5th place in one conference who won't make the playoffs could have more points than a 4th place team in another conference that does make the playoffs. Makes no sense.
Give us no conferences, but keep the new schedule format. The top 16 teams move on, and that's that. Think of the possibilites. A Habs/Leafs final, or a Vancouver/Chicago final.
Even in the existing system we have these non sense. Some teams out west have better record than Eastern ones and are missing the playoffs. It will always exist.
Unless, ech ane every team plays 3 games against the 29 others, for 87 gmes, which is also impossible. then you would have a one big NHL with the bests at the top and so on.
At least, we have 4 "real" Conference champions for the regular season, instead of 6 in the divisional format we have. Usually, one of the "champions" had worst record than some other teams below them, and they got ice advantage for the playoffs, anyway.
At least now we are fighting with 7 teamrs to make the playoffs instead of 15.
Its a race to the top 4 out of 7.
We could make it. But the fact is, we will REALLY need to build up.
Because first round of the playoff will be inter-division. No free pass against pittsburgh, washington and teams without goons and tough boys. Toronto-Ottawa-Boston are really tough.
1st 2 rds is inter-division.
The first two rounds of the playoffs will be played within the conferences and the four conference winners will advance to play off for the Stanley Cup
The first two rounds of the playoffs will be played within the conferences and the four conference winners will advance to play off for the Stanley Cup
I like it. I am old enough to remember the Smythe, Norris, Patrick, and Adams. The rivalries it produced were intense and more enjoyable to watch. I like watching the Caps and the Pens but I am always enjoy our games with the Bruins and Leafs so much more.
I don't think the Habs will be in an easy division. The Bruins, Sabres, and Leafs from the Northeast Division and the two Florida teams aren't pushovers. Even the Senators don't just roll over.
people say Montreal has an easy division. Thats debatable. Including Montreal, that new alignment would include 4 of the 8 playoff teams from the east last year.
As it stands today, Montreal wouldnt be making it in this alignment.
no matter what, its going to be tough to make the playoffs. The parity in this league will make it tough whether you have an 7 or 8 team division
I like it. I am old enough to remember the Smythe, Norris, Patrick, and Adams. The rivalries it produced were intense and more enjoyable to watch. I like watching the Caps and the Pens but I am always enjoy our games with the Bruins and Leafs so much more.
That's the first thing I thought of when they announced the change....
people say Montreal has an easy division. Thats debatable. Including Montreal, that new alignment would include 4 of the 8 playoff teams from the east last year.
Yes, but one of those four was Montreal, and Buffalo and Tampa lost more than a few feathers since them. Leaving Boston, really.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kirk Muller
As it stands today, Montreal wouldnt be making it in this alignment.
As it stands today Montreal's record wouldn't let them make it in in any division. But their record isn't exactly reflective of their ability. They are, at the very worst, the third-best team in that bunch, and probably higher than that, really.
Finally a fair "balanced" schedule. At least for the 7 team conferences.
It doesn't take much imagination to see some fans of western teams in the 8 team conference being pissed off some point down the road, when a 96 point team is left out of the playoffs and an 86 point team in the east makes it.
I can definitely see a trip to Florida in my future to catch a Habs road swing.
At least now we are fighting with 7 teamrs to make the playoffs instead of 15.
Its a race to the top 4 out of 7.
We could make it. But the fact is, we will REALLY need to build up.
Because first round of the playoff will be inter-division. No free pass against pittsburgh, washington and teams without goons and tough boys. Toronto-Ottawa-Boston are really tough.
Make it 4 out of 8 as Phoenix will soon be transfered to Québec and they'll be added in our division.
Yes, but one of those four was Montreal, and Buffalo and Tampa lost more than a few feathers since them. Leaving Boston, really.
As it stands today Montreal's record wouldn't let them make it in in any division. But their record isn't exactly reflective of their ability. They are, at the very worst, the third-best team in that bunch, and probably higher than that, really.
Maybe maybe not. Buffalo i think got better. Tampa no so much however Florida improved and so did Toronto.
And you can continually talk that Montreal is better than they shown, again maybe, maybe not. Injuries are reality. All teams have them. Guys like Gomez and Subban arent playing well. Thats reality. They could get better, with that said, maybe someone like Desharnais struggles which offsets it. Who knows.
Point is, its going to be tough no matter what to make the playoffs. I dont think there really is an "easy" division.
The same amount of games vs the Pens, Flyers, Caps etc as vs the Ducks, Sharks, Stars etc is bs in my opinon. As is the 1v4 2v3 semi finals, although it sounds like that may not be set in stone
