Like some hockey fans, Alexander Ovechkin thinks the NHL’s current playoff format is “weird.”
The NHL realigned divisions in 2013-14, completely changing up the format which saw top-ranked teams facing bottom-ranked teams in each round. In the new format, in the second round, teams are no longer re-seeded and instead they have to compete in a divisional matchup.
[link_box id=”22277″ site_id=”17″ layout=”link-box-third” alignment=”alignright”]The new system meant the Washington Capitals had to face off against the eventual Stanley Cup-winning Pittsburgh Penguins in round two, despite being the top seed in the East. Instead of facing a weaker opponent such as Tampa Bay or the New York Islanders, the Capitals had to matchup against the second seed. Seems unfair, right? Ovechkin thinks so.
“You win Presidents’ Trophy, but you see schedule in the playoffs is kind of weird,” Ovechkin told CSN Mid-Atlantic. “Because you play first team in fourth, then you play against Pittsburgh, not like Islanders or different teams play against each other and you think why do you need to win the Presidents’ Trophy to play against best team?
“It’s kind of weird, but nothing you can do, it’s over, it’s past, now we looking forward.”
It’s hard not to agree with Ovechkin. The current playoff seeding system is flawed. Top seeds should face off against the weakest remaining opponents. They’ve earned the right by finishing with the best record. It takes luster away from winning the Presidents’ Trophy.
I don’t expect the NHL to change the playoff format going forward, but seeing Ovechkin, one of the league’s biggest stars, complain about it probably doesn’t feel good.
