Denver Post · Apr 9, 2018
NHL playoff format will knock out top teams early
David Zalubowski, The Associated Press Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne drinks during a timeout against the Colorado Avalanche in the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Denver. Two of the top four teams in the NHL are guaranteed to be out the playoffs after the second round.
Goodbye Nashville or Winnipeg. Goodbye Boston or Tampa Bay. Thanks for playing.
That’s the reality under the divisional playoff format that could pit the top two teams in the Eastern and Western Conferences against each other in round 2 after Pittsburgh and Washington were forced into that predicament in back-to-back playoffs.