The National Hockey League is working on finalizing a plan for the playoffs and they’ll vote on that later today.
It would be based on Conference and points percentage. Here is the proposed idea:
It makes sense if they’re going to do it.
Notice how Buffalo didn’t make it. They definitely didn’t deserve to, but Montreal grabbed the last spot only based on their points percentage. The Canadiens have played two more games than the Sabres, but have one more win and one more OT/shootout loss, helping raise that percentage.
All Buffalo needed was one more win somewhere earlier in the season. And Buffalo’s very next game of the regular season would have been against Montreal.
NHLPA Exec Board is voting on return to play proposal. (24 teams, top 4 teams per conference play each other, 16 teams have a play in round). If vote passes additional details to be negotiated with the NHL. Voting process likely completed by tomorrow night.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) May 22, 2020
We’ll see if the teams and format get approved later today or tonight. They still have to work out much bigger details, but I would be surprised if this vote didn’t pass.