1v16 is a non-starter because of the travel, like you could potentially have EDMvCAR going on at the same time as BUFvMTL.
Personally I don’t have an issue with divisional match-up. The first round of the NHL playoffs is the biggest spectacle in all of sports and having the gauntlet of the Central this year or whichever division is dominant in any particular year makes it even more exciting.
I can see the advantages of the 1v8 format but all it really does is move those pivotal matches to the second round instead of the first.
1v16 is a non-starter because of the travel, like you could potentially have EDMvCAR going on at the same time as BUFvMTL.
Personally I don’t have an issue with divisional match-up. The first round of the NHL playoffs is the biggest spectacle in all of sports and having the gauntlet of the Central this year or whichever division is dominant in any particular year makes it even more exciting.
I can see the advantages of the 1v8 format but all it really does is move those pivotal matches to the second round instead of the first.