The NHL has always been one of the most competitive leagues in professional sports, and an idea has been sparking debate for quite a while now: should the league implement NBS-style play-ins at the end of the regular season? As with any other discussion, the opinions are divided; some believe play-ins would make the postseason games more interesting and exciting, while others see it as just another strategy to increase the league’s revenue.
What is an NBA Play-In Round?
For those who don’t follow the NBA updates, let’s put down what a play-in is. The first six teams in each NBA conference directly make it to the playoffs. Sixth to tenth seedings have to play in play-ins, in which 2 teams qualify for the playoffs, making a total of 8 teams.
However, this has resulted in mixed reactions from the fans and sports analysts. Many hockey enthusiasts have expressed skepticism, with some suggesting that the concept “changes the spirit of the game.”
Sports journalists like Patrick Johnston are all for adapting the NBA model into the NHL, and say, “the NHL should follow the NBA’s lead and institute a play-in round, but in the NHL’s cap world, the difference between the best and the next few best has shrunk.”
While most fans are welcoming the one-game NHL playoff, and feel that it would lead to some of the best moments in NHL if implemented, the main contradicting opinion arising is why reward the failing team? A valid reason. Critics argue that the game is already tough, and making any amends would just overcomplicate the game unnecessarily.
What is the Current NHL Playoff System and Does it Work?
The NHL previously followed a 1-8 format in each conference, which has now changed into a wild-card system. Currently, the top three teams in each division directly get into the postseason matches, while the top 2 teams remaining get in as wild card teams.
While this has raised concerns about whether the first-round matchups are fair, many believe it creates a natural sense of competition from the very first match, which is considered good for the game. This current system has given opportunities to even some of the lower-seeded teams to perform well.
Analysts have pointed out that fluctuations in team performance are part of what makes hockey unpredictable and entertaining. Hence, it is better to say that the present system in the NHL is not flawed.
The Stanley Cup playoffs have already set the benchmark, and a system similar to the NBA in the NHL wouldn’t work, as the concerns of unfairness arise. It would give an unfair advantage to the teams behind by 10-12 points to compete for the final wild card spots. In the NBA, this approach doesn’t cause much disparity, as the point difference between the 7 and 10 seeds is often minimal. Also, the belief that implementing the NBA play-in is easy money for the NHL makes the hockey enthusiasts and experts equally resist the idea.
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Why Adopting the NBA Play-Ins in the NHL is a Winning Strategy?
Proponents of the change argue that including play-ins can increase the excitement of the playoffs, as well as increase the revenue to the league: a win-win situation for both the league and the fans. The play-ins give each team a chance to play for the playoffs.
Since the NHL seasons have now become shorter, the loss of revenue can be rectified through additional games. A play-in format with four to seven games can potentially increase sales and revenue.
Also, the top seed gets a bye in the first round, a reward for their regular-season performance. Additionally, introducing a point-based system, where, for example, for every 10 points difference in standing, can give the team with the most points to start the series with an advantage of a maximum of 2 wins.
Experts say this will make the regular-season ranking more important as more wins mean more points and more advantage in the playoffs.
Why Do NHL Enthusiasts Resist the Idea of Incorporating the NBA Play-Ins?
Despite the financial benefits, play-ins are opposed due to valid reasons. Including play-ins means more games for the lower-seeded teams, which would result in exhaustion. Also, the casual fans will find it difficult to follow along.
Experts believe that such a move would dilute the importance of the regular season. The teams would have to play the entire season just to determine their seeding in the playoffs. Some fans are of the notion that losing teams do not belong in the playoffs.
Some believe that it will overly favor the top seed, who mostly get a bye in the first round itself. The play-ins also don’t essentially change the outcome, hence they can be considered a blatant way of raising money.
They also considered it a waste of time as the teams would spend their first two weeks of the playoffs determining the seed points. Also, having play-ins might deviate from the whole point of the regular season, that is, to filter out consistently weaker teams.
Whether to adopt the NBA’s play-in rounds in the NHL ultimately depends on the priorities of the game. Play-ins are an exciting opportunity to grow the fan base, enhance engagement, and boost revenue. However, for the traditionalists, the change might be unsatisfactory. For now, the debate remains open, with no major changes in the game pattern. But the question still makes its way to the minds of every NHL enthusiast: Should the NHL adopt the NBA’s play-in round?
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