Report: “Most Popular” playoff format idea without Rangers not true

An article by Mark Spector on Sportsnet today was loaded with great information about the possibility of the NHL resumption of play. However, one tidbit has sent Rangerstown into an uproar. It has the “most popular” playoff idea sans the New York Rangers. Well from what I’ve gathered that’s not true.

It’s All Speculation

The proposed scenario that assumes no regular season games and jumps right into the playoffs was laid out like this:

Assuming no regular season games get played, the most popular playoff scenario is the following: The Top 6 teams from each Division meet in one city. They would open with best-of-three series between the No. 1 and 2 seeds (to decide a Division winner), while No. 3 meets 6 and 4 meets 5 for the right to keep playing. Under this scenario, the only current seventh place team that may feel left out is the New York Rangers. They are one point behind the sixth place Islanders in the Metropolitan Division but the Rangers have played two more games. There are no teams that could say the No. 6 seed had the advantage of playing more games than them, and that they were unfairly treated.

Sportsnet

I reached out to a team source to ask about the report and was told it’s complete speculation at this point. When it came to this specific playoff format I was told, “there’s no truth it.”

Players told to make plans to return

A memo was sent out from the league to the players that they could move to phase 2 if the virus continues its downward trend. Also noted to those away from their home cities should consider making plans to return.

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Anthony Scultore has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL since 2014. His work also appears at... More about Anthony Scultore

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