The NHL's Playoff Format: Will 2025-26 Be the Year of Change?
The NHL's playoff format has been a hot topic for years, and this season might just be the tipping point.
The Red Light newsletter, The Athletic's hockey insider, brings you the latest buzz from the ice. As the league reaches the halfway mark of the 2025-26 season, the playoff picture is more chaotic than ever. Parity has taken over, and the race to the Stanley Cup is anyone's game.
But here's where it gets controversial: The current format, which heavily favors division matchups, may be doing more harm than good. With the league's top teams clashing in the early rounds, is the NHL's playoff structure in need of a major overhaul?
Let's dive into the action. The Winnipeg Jets, once at the bottom, have soared to new heights, crushing the Minnesota Wild 6-2 and ending an 11-game losing streak. Meanwhile, the Bruins, Sabres, Penguins, and Sharks have been on fire since Christmas, defying preseason predictions.
The Blue Jackets' story gets even more intriguing with the return of 70-year-old coach Rick Bowness, who aims to lead Columbus out of the slump. As the league approaches the 750-game mark, the playoff race is tighter than ever.
If the playoffs started today, here's how it would look:
Eastern Conference:
- Atlantic Division: Tampa Bay (2nd) vs. Boston (12th), Detroit (7th) vs. Montreal (8th).
- Metropolitan Division: Carolina (4th) vs. Buffalo (9th), Islanders (10th) vs. Pittsburgh (11th).
Western Conference:
- Central Division: Colorado (1st) vs. Utah (20th), Dallas (3rd) vs. Minnesota (5th).
- Pacific Division: Vegas (6th) vs. San Jose (19th), Edmonton (17th) vs. Seattle (18th).
Notable omissions: Toronto, Florida, Philadelphia, and Washington, all top-tier teams, would miss the playoffs. And that's not all. The Atlantic Division's dominance means four Eastern Conference teams with top-16 records would be left out, while weaker Pacific Division clubs advance.
The NHL's playoff format has long been a subject of debate. Many argue that a return to a 1-vs.-8 setup would better reward regular-season success. But this year, the flaws in the system might be more evident than ever, with the first two rounds potentially featuring the league's best teams battling it out.
And this is the part most people miss: The NHL has seen better series and teams in the first two rounds compared to Round 3 in recent years. Is this a sign that the current format needs to evolve?
Mitch Marner's Revenge:
Marner, now with the Vegas Golden Knights, faced his former team, the Maple Leafs, and the boos were unexpected. Despite the Leafs leading 5-3 late in the game, they couldn't hold on, losing 6-5 in overtime. Marner, playing a quieter game, still managed two power-play assists in the comeback.
The rematch in Toronto promises to be fiery, with Leafs fans feeling betrayed by Marner's departure as a free agent. The Athletic's Jonas Siegel captures Marner's challenging transition in a must-read feature.
Trivia Time:
Since 2016-17, Mitch Marner has racked up an impressive 558 assists in 703 games. But who are the only four players with more assists over the past decade? The answer might surprise you.
Around the League:
- Trade Deadline Decisions: Seven teams, including the Buffalo Sabres, face crucial choices. Will they be buyers or sellers?
- NHL Commissioner's New Favorite Show: Gary Bettman has a surprising new obsession. Find out what it is!
- Power Rankings: Even without an All-Star Game, the Power Rankings crew creates fake rosters for a non-existent event.
- Statistical Insights: Dom Luszczyszyn analyzes Connor McDavid's hot streak, the Atlantic Division's strength, and more.
- Rangers' Dilemma: Rebuild or retool? The Rangers' season is in disarray, and Igor Shesterkin's injury highlights his importance.
- Arena Survey: Rate your local NHL arena! The Athletic wants your input, and yes, you can vent about those expensive beers.
- Team Canada's Olympic Woes: Who will replace the injured Brayden Point on the Olympic roster?
- NBA Star on Ice: Imagine a 7-foot-1 NBA champ lacing up size 18 skates for a celebrity hockey game. Rangers defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov makes it possible.
Dougie Hamilton's Future:
The $9 million defenseman, Dougie Hamilton, made headlines after being scratched from the Devils' lineup. But he's bounced back with three points in two games, both wins. The Hurricanes are rumored to be frontrunners to acquire Hamilton, who, despite recent injuries, remains an attractive asset for top teams.
Hamilton's offensive production has dipped this season, but his defensive skills are still top-notch. The Devils must decide if they're willing to retain part of his salary in a potential trade, which could impact their return.
With tension between Hamilton's agent and the Devils, a trade seems imminent. The upcoming roster freeze for the Olympics and the March trade deadline add further intrigue to the situation.
Trivia Answer:
The four players with more assists than Marner over the past decade are Connor McDavid (741), Nikita Kucherov (600), Nathan MacKinnon (599), and Leon Draisaitl (560). Marner is just two assists behind Draisaitl, despite playing 26 fewer games. Will the Golden Knights and Oilers meet again in the playoffs to settle the Pacific Division?
Stay tuned to The Athletic's Red Light newsletter for more thrilling NHL insights and stories. The league's drama is far from over, and we'll be here to bring you every twist and turn.
