Southeast division winner may use back door to sneak into NHL playoffs
Watching the gong show that is the race for the top of the Southeast Division, one is left to ponder if the time hasn't come for the NHL to blow up its playoff format.
If the current trend continues, there may be little choice.
With less than two months left in the regular season, it's not a stretch to believe the winner of the Southeast Division could make the playoffs and get the third seed although, in any other scenario outside of a division crown, they would miss the post-season altogether.
Nor is it outside the realm of possibility that the division winner will struggle to hit the .500 barrier.
Currently, three teams share the Southeast lead with 60 points, a total surpassed by eight other teams in the East.
The Eastern Conference cellar-dwelling Lightning, meanwhile, are nine points back of eighth-place Boston for the final playoff spot in the East, but sit just six points off their division lead.
Talk about rewarding mediocrity.
Here's a novel concept when getting set to slot teams for the so-called real season. Rank the playoff seedings according to where teams actually end up in the conference.
If a division winner is ranked sixth in the conference, they lose home ice advantage and take on the #3 seed. Simple mathematics.
If that division winner would otherwise miss the playoffs - which could very well be the case come April - slot them in to the final seed. Everyone else from fourth through seventh moves up one.
It's time to eliminate sneaking in the playoffs through the back door.
Now, I know most other leagues have the same type of playoff formats. Most years, there will be a team, in any sport, that scratches its way into the post-season, while other, often more worthy, candidates are left out.
But the NHL playoffs are meant to showcase the best teams left standing after a grueling six-month schedule regardless of what division they happen to have the good fortune to play in.
Right now, Atlanta, Washington and Carolina are tied for the top peg in the Southeast. Each is also six points out of the Eastern Conference basement.
If anyone can justify that, please let me know.
I sure as hell can't.