By now, we should be into the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It is usually that exciting time of year for hockey fans. But, like you, we are sitting at home watching random hockey related videos to try and fill that void in an effort to escape the reality of the global situation.
A few weeks ago, I came up with this crazy idea to salvage the season and award a champion.
First, we will follow safety regulations and will have this event happen at a neutral site or sites. It really does not matter as much as this wacko format. Buckle up, here we go.
We go right into playoffs. All stats will count towards Playoffs, so Alex Ovechkin will have to wait until next season to pass Mike Gartner in all-time goals list.
Sure, there will be conditioning and practices for about two weeks, but when it starts, it starts...right into a 32 team bracket. Yeah, there are 31 teams right now...therefore, as defending champion, St. Louis Blues get a bye in the first round. Okay, you can argue Boston with their top overall seed and eventual President's Trophy. But, this is my stupid idea...and it gets stupider.
The bracket will be filled based on current Conference standings. The first seed in each Conference will play the last (16) team. It just happens that the Blues are first in the West, they will play the winner of Nashville vs Vancouver (8 vs 9)
There will be no re-seeding after each round.
The First Round will be a Best-of-Three format. This will also act as your end of the season and final push into the traditional 16-team playoffs. Every team gets a shot at the Cup, even Detroit. Crazy, you say? Well, we are living in crazy times, my friend.
Like back in the day, Conferences will alternate game days. Example: Day 1, all East games. Day 2, all West games. Day 3, all East...etc.
Here is a simulation of First Round with some upsets.
The Second Round is Best-of-Five format. I will explain why later on. This is where the 'normal' playoffs begin with the 16-teams.
Yes, I totally made all the Western Canadian teams get into the next round. Come on, Battle of Alberta in the Playoffs. We had the Battle of Pennsylvania and Battle of Ontario in the last round. This is all fantasy, anyway.
With eight teams left, we go to standard Best-of-Seven from here on out.
Okay, the only one that makes any sense at this point is Boston. Three of the final four are Canadian team are highly unlikely...even in the CFL.
Totally dreaming of an All-Canadian Finals. I will end it there, but you already know who I want to win. Anyway, you get the idea.
Why the Best of 3 - 5 - 7 - 7 - 7 format? In this format of 32 teams, you would need 17 wins to win the Cup, instead of the traditional 16 wins. St.Louis, with the First Round bye, would need 15 wins.
So, there it is. Every team gets to play at least two games and a chance to compete for the Cup. Season saved and we have a legitimate champion.\
The longest this format can can go, with all series going the distance, and no rest days in between rounds, is 62 days. If every series is a sweep with no rest days, we can crown our champion in 34 days.
This works for the NBA, as their season was cut short, as well. The NBA schedule is usually about a week or two behind the NHL schedule. With 30 teams in NBA, the top seeds in each Conference get a first round bye, they play winner of 8 vs 9. Done!
You can thank me later.
A few weeks ago, I came up with this crazy idea to salvage the season and award a champion.
First, we will follow safety regulations and will have this event happen at a neutral site or sites. It really does not matter as much as this wacko format. Buckle up, here we go.
We go right into playoffs. All stats will count towards Playoffs, so Alex Ovechkin will have to wait until next season to pass Mike Gartner in all-time goals list.
Sure, there will be conditioning and practices for about two weeks, but when it starts, it starts...right into a 32 team bracket. Yeah, there are 31 teams right now...therefore, as defending champion, St. Louis Blues get a bye in the first round. Okay, you can argue Boston with their top overall seed and eventual President's Trophy. But, this is my stupid idea...and it gets stupider.
 |
| Crude Playoff Bracket |
There will be no re-seeding after each round.
The First Round will be a Best-of-Three format. This will also act as your end of the season and final push into the traditional 16-team playoffs. Every team gets a shot at the Cup, even Detroit. Crazy, you say? Well, we are living in crazy times, my friend.
Like back in the day, Conferences will alternate game days. Example: Day 1, all East games. Day 2, all West games. Day 3, all East...etc.
Here is a simulation of First Round with some upsets.
 |
| Round 2 |
 |
| Round 3 |
Yes, I totally made all the Western Canadian teams get into the next round. Come on, Battle of Alberta in the Playoffs. We had the Battle of Pennsylvania and Battle of Ontario in the last round. This is all fantasy, anyway.
With eight teams left, we go to standard Best-of-Seven from here on out.
 |
| Round 4 |
 |
| Finals |
Totally dreaming of an All-Canadian Finals. I will end it there, but you already know who I want to win. Anyway, you get the idea.
Why the Best of 3 - 5 - 7 - 7 - 7 format? In this format of 32 teams, you would need 17 wins to win the Cup, instead of the traditional 16 wins. St.Louis, with the First Round bye, would need 15 wins.
So, there it is. Every team gets to play at least two games and a chance to compete for the Cup. Season saved and we have a legitimate champion.\
The longest this format can can go, with all series going the distance, and no rest days in between rounds, is 62 days. If every series is a sweep with no rest days, we can crown our champion in 34 days.
This works for the NBA, as their season was cut short, as well. The NBA schedule is usually about a week or two behind the NHL schedule. With 30 teams in NBA, the top seeds in each Conference get a first round bye, they play winner of 8 vs 9. Done!
You can thank me later.
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