Before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman made it clear that he didn’t support the idea of a play-in round for the playoffs. While Bettman argued that the league already had enough playoff drama without it, there’s an interesting case for why the NHL should consider adopting a play-in round to add more excitement and business potential to its postseason.
The Current NHL Playoff System
Bettman’s comment on the NHL’s current playoff format highlighted that some teams fought for their spots right until the final regular-season game. This is true, but it overlooks a major difference between the current system and the idea of a play-in round. Right now, playoff spots are mostly determined by the regular-season standings, with very few teams left fighting for a spot at the end of the season. This doesn’t always provide the excitement that fans want, especially when there are several games with no stakes at all.
Why a Play-In Round Could Be a Game Changer
The biggest advantage of a play-in round is that it would make more games meaningful, even toward the end of the season. With more teams competing for a playoff spot, there’s guaranteed drama. A play-in round gives teams who might have just missed the cut another chance to fight for a postseason spot, keeping fans engaged and invested in the final games. The more teams involved in the playoffs, the more interest there is from both fans and broadcasters, which translates to more viewers and revenue for the league.
This model has worked well in other sports. The NBA and MLB, for example, expanded their playoff structures, and it’s been successful in bringing more attention to their games. If the NHL wants to increase its visibility and popularity, a play-in round could be a smart move.
Adjusting to an Expanding NHL
As the NHL continues to grow, particularly with the potential addition of new teams (possibly even expanding to 34 teams), the playoff format might need an update. With more teams in the league, some divisions may not have the same number of teams. In such a case, a play-in round could ensure that the teams fighting for the last few playoff spots stay competitive right until the very end.
Having a system where there’s more at stake toward the end of the season could be great for fan engagement. The NHL would avoid those late-season games that feel like they have no real purpose. The current system, while functional, could be improved by adding more excitement and giving teams that are close to qualifying a chance to battle it out in the playoffs.
Benefits for Top Teams
Another key benefit of the play-in round is that it rewards top teams in the regular season by giving them more time to rest before the playoffs. This is because they would be given a higher seed, which means they wouldn’t need to play in the initial play-in games. At the same time, the play-in round would also give teams that are just outside the playoff picture another shot at competing, keeping the competition fierce until the very end of the season.
Time for Change?
The concept of a play-in round isn’t just about adding more teams to the playoffs; it’s about making the entire postseason more exciting and giving more teams the opportunity to compete. It’s a change that could generate more business for the NHL and increase interest from fans, broadcasters, and sponsors.
Considering how well the play-in round works for other sports leagues, it seems like the NHL could benefit from adopting a similar format. As the league grows and the competition intensifies, it may just be a matter of time before Bettman and others come around to the idea.
