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Should the NHL bring back the 1v8 playoff format?
Since 2014, the NHL has used its unique playoff format: the top three teams in the four divisions qualify, along with the top two wild cards in each conference. From there, the division winners face a wild-card team and the two- and three-seeds face off in the first round.
This playoff format, a move away from the traditional 1v8, 2v7, etc. setup, has been questioned by many fans.
In a recent news conference, commissioner Gary Bettman stated he liked the setup and had no plans to change back to the 1v8. Is one better than the other? Let's examine the pros and cons of the current setup compared to the traditional.
Pro: Division rivalries are as heated as ever
The main advantage to the current divisional setup is that fans get to see two division rivals face off in the first or second round. This has created some heated playoff rivalries, whether between the Capitals and Penguins (three straight second-round meetings between 2016-18), the Kings and Oilers (three straight first-round meetings between 2022-24, with a fourth likely this season) or the Panthers and Bruins (back-to-back meetings in 2023 and 2024).
This gives fans guaranteed exciting and heated matchups right off the bat.
Tkachuk vs. Pastrnak
— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) May 9, 2024
Ding. Ding. Ding. ️ pic.twitter.com/nPjvUOofxe
Con: Same teams meeting every year
Although it can be exciting to see these intense rivalries, it creates repetition among first- and second-round matchups. For Los Angeles Kings fans, they might be frustrated to face the Edmonton Oilers yet again, a team that has beaten them in all three of their recent playoff matchups. Under the 1v8 format, the fifth-seeded Kings would instead face the fourth-seeded Avalanche.
To have the same teams play each other over and over again can be a bit boring and less exciting than new, fresh matchups.
Pro: Divisions still matter
Under the current format, the NHL's four divisions: the Atlantic, Metropolitan, Central and Pacific still have significance. Like the playoffs, these divisions can create rivalries in the regular season. Divisional rivalries like the Battle of Alberta (Edmonton and Calgary) and Battle of Florida (Florida and Tampa Bay) are must-see TV even in the regular season.
If the NHL eliminated the current division playoff format, those tight battles, especially when fighting for playoff positioning like in this year's Atlantic Division, might not be as important.
Con: Top teams face off in the first round
Arguably the biggest gripe fans have with the current format is that if a division is strong, two top teams end up facing each other in the first round rather than a later round. For example, this year, the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche, ranked third and fifth in the league, respectfully, are headed for a first-round matchup.
To have a top-five team knocked out in the first round simply because it plays in a certain division seems unfair. The 1v8 format would create better first-round matchups, while likely giving fans exciting second- and third-round series.
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