The National Hockey League playoffs are one of the most exciting spectacles in sport. The intensity, rivalries, overtime drama, and pursuit of the Stanley Cup create unforgettable moments every single year.
But despite the passion surrounding playoff hockey, many fans believe the current system is outdated, overly divisional, and doesn’t always reward the best regular season teams fairly. As the NHL continues expanding its global audience, there is a huge opportunity to modernise the format, create more compelling matchups, reduce tanking, and grow the game internationally.
Here’s how the NHL playoff format should change — and why it would make hockey better for fans, teams, broadcasters, and the league itself.
The Problem With the Current NHL Playoff Format
At present, the NHL uses a divisional playoff system. Teams qualify through their divisions and wildcard spots, meaning some elite teams can face each other far too early in the playoffs while weaker teams may receive easier paths.
This creates several issues:
- Top teams are punished with difficult first-round matchups
- Rivalries become repetitive
- Regular season standings feel less meaningful
- Fans miss out on marquee Stanley Cup Final possibilities
- Teams outside the playoff race often resort to “tanking” for better draft lottery odds
For a league trying to grow globally, the NHL should focus on creating the best possible postseason entertainment product.
A New NHL Playoff Format Proposal
1. Sixteen Teams Qualify Overall
Instead of divisional brackets, the top 16 teams in the overall NHL standings should qualify regardless of conference or division.
That means:
- 1st plays 16th
- 2nd plays 15th
- 3rd plays 14th
- 4th plays 13th
- And so on
This system rewards regular season excellence properly and ensures the very best teams earn the easiest opening-round matchups.
It also creates far more unpredictable and exciting playoff possibilities.
Imagine seeing:
- Toronto Maple Leafs vs Seattle Kraken
- Edmonton Oilers vs New York Rangers
- Colorado Avalanche vs Boston Bruins
Much earlier in the playoffs.
The Stanley Cup Playoffs should showcase the best hockey matchups possible — not restrict them because of geography.
2. Create a Separate Draft Competition for Non-Playoff Teams
One of the biggest problems in professional sports is tanking.
When teams realise they cannot make the playoffs, many fans suspect organisations begin prioritising draft position over winning games. This damages competitiveness and creates meaningless late-season hockey.
The solution? Introduce a separate “Draft League” for eliminated teams.
This concept is similar to ideas seen in the Professional Women's Hockey League, where teams compete for draft order rather than lose intentionally for lottery odds.
How It Would Work
Once a team is mathematically eliminated from playoff contention:
- They enter a separate standings competition
- Results determine draft order
- The best-performing eliminated team earns the #1 overall pick
This completely changes incentives.
Instead of fans hoping their team loses for better lottery odds, every game still matters.
Benefits include:
- More meaningful late-season games
- Better player development culture
- Increased competitiveness
- Reduced tanking accusations
- Higher television interest late in the season
Most importantly, it rewards organisations trying to build winning habits instead of rewarding failure.
3. Neutral Venue Decider Games Could Grow Hockey Worldwide
The NHL also has an opportunity to use playoff hockey as a global marketing tool.
Instead of every playoff series following the same traditional structure, a revised format could include neutral-site deciding games.
Proposed Series Structure
For a best-of-seven series:
- Games 1–2 at higher seed home arena
- Games 3–4 at lower seed home arena
- Games 5–6 split accordingly
- Game 7 at a neutral venue
Alternatively, best-of-five series could follow a similar model.
Why Neutral Venue Games Make Sense
A neutral Game 5 or Game 7 would become a major international event.
Potential locations could include:
- London
- Stockholm
- Zurich
- Berlin
- Tokyo
This would:
- Expand the NHL’s global audience
- Create “Super Bowl-style” showcase events
- Introduce playoff hockey to new fans
- Generate enormous media attention
- Increase international sponsorship opportunities
Hockey is already a global sport. The NHL should embrace that fully.
Should NHL Playoff Series Be Shorter?
Another possible improvement is shortening earlier playoff rounds.
Currently, every round is best-of-seven, which can sometimes lead to predictable outcomes and long postseason schedules.
A better system could be:
- First Round — Best of 5
- Conference/Semi Finals — Best of 7
- Stanley Cup Final — Best of 7
Benefits include:
- More upsets
- Faster-paced playoffs
- Reduced player fatigue
- Greater urgency every game
- More dramatic television moments
Shorter opening rounds would make every game feel enormous.
Why NHL Fans Would Love This Format
This proposed playoff system improves nearly every aspect of the NHL experience.
It Rewards Regular Season Success
The best teams receive the most favourable matchups.
It Creates Better Matchups
Fans get exciting cross-conference series much earlier.
It Reduces Tanking
Teams continue competing hard all season long.
It Grows Hockey Internationally
Neutral-site deciding games create major global events.
It Makes Every Game Matter
Both playoff races and draft races become meaningful.
Final Thoughts
The NHL has one of the greatest playoff products in sports, but the format could evolve significantly for the modern era.
A true 1-vs-16 playoff bracket, combined with a competitive draft league and neutral-site decider games, would create:
- Better fairness
- More excitement
- Less tanking
- Bigger global audiences
- Stronger rivalries
- More meaningful hockey throughout the season
The sport is ready for innovation.
The question is whether the NHL is willing to embrace it.