Quote:
Originally Posted by Gadzooks
The 24-team return to play format has a lot of holes - IMO.
It's been proposed as a bracket as opposed to a seeding system.
Gambling reasons, perhaps?
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I think it's mostly to eliminate the "what if?" from this shortened season.
There were a few teams that were super hot right before the stoppage (off the top my head Rangers, Hawks & Wild) and there were teams that were falling quickly (off the top of my head Islanders & Canucks), so it gives "on the cusp" teams a fair shot to make it without hearing players, coaches, GMs & owners crying about how they never got the chance to fight for a playoff spot.
I believe the "top 4" from each conference was something that the NHLPA, owners and NHL were willing agree on as the set teams.