One of the subjects discussed by NHL GMs yesterday was the proposed schedule matrix going forward, whether the league should stick with divisional playoffs for the first two rounds or go back to the old conference format.

As of last year, the format was mostly divisional, the top three teams in each division qualified, then the next two teams in the conference with the best records got in. An idea being floated now is for divisional only playoffs.

You could either have the top four teams get in, or you could expand it to five, and have teams 4/5 play in a best of three “play-in” series, with the winner playing the top seed in the division.

Division only playoffs could lead to an 84 game schedule that keeps a high number of divisional games:
-2 vs other conference home/away (32 games)
-2 vs other division home/away (16 games)
-5 vs own division (35 games)
-one additional game vs team in own division (biggest rival)

In exchange for an 84 game schedule, the teams would agree to a shortened training camp of two weeks (a big hit for the players) and a maximum of four pre-season games.

So I’ll put it to you, which divisional playoff format do you prefer?