Quote:
Originally Posted by Pushead2
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.
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Yeah, I've heard the top four teams get byes, but they'll play each other, while the best of 5 tournaments occur. (somehow?)
It's the bracket vs. seeded part I don't get.
You'll definitely have upsets in the 24 team tournament. How is that fair to Boston if they have to play the winner of 4 vs. 5 as opposed to the lowest seed that won in their division/conference?