The NHL's playoff format, in place since 2014, has faced criticism for its predictability and repetitive matchups. Teams like the LA Kings and Toronto Maple Leafs have found themselves in familiar playoff pairings for consecutive seasons, leading to concerns about the lack of variety and excitement. Despite NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman's belief that the format enhances rivalries, many fans and players have expressed frustration with the lack of diverse matchups and the early elimination of top teams.
The current playoff structure sees the top three teams from each division and two wildcard teams from each conference qualify for the postseason. While the format aimed to create intense divisional rivalries and improve travel logistics, it has resulted in complaints about the lack of variety and excitement in playoff matchups. Suggestions for potential changes include revising the regular-season points system to incentivize more regulation wins and potentially altering the playoff format to introduce more unpredictability and fresh matchups. As the NHL faces ongoing criticism and calls for reform, the debate over the playoff format's impact on the competitiveness and entertainment value of the league continues.