Tuesday night was one of the most chaotic nights in recent National Hockey League history. Going into the night, the Detroit Red Wings, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Washington Capitals were fighting for the final playoff spot. The Penguins had the night off and had to sit to find out their playoff fate. The Red Wings were playing the second of a home-and-home in Montreal and the Flyers and Capitals faced off against each other. Chaos ensued as the Red Wings tied the game at five at the death and Flyers coach John Tortorella inexplicably pulled his goaltender with three minutes remaining in a tie game. It was chaotic and it was a clusterfudge… and it was AWESOME. As soon as the dust settled, there were NHL fans on social media clamoring for a Play-In Tournament like the NBA has had since the 2020-21 season. Pardon as I get my verbal spray bottle as I’m going to dampen this idea.
Foolishness for Clout
Embed from Getty ImagesWhat sparked the discussion for an NHL Play-In game was the panel of the NHL on TNT. During the first intermission of the Seattle/St. Louis game, the panel was asked by host Liam McHugh about the possibility of a Stanley Cup Play-In Tournament. Craig Berube and Anson Carter were a vehement no, saying it would add an unnecessary delay. Paul Bissonnette was a yes because, “fans wanna see that pop.” (He also added a March Madness reference, so Turner Broadcasting was probably happy about that plug. Such a company guy!)
Play-in games to open the Stanley Cup playoffs: ? or ?? pic.twitter.com/rgYgt3ZrLT
— NHLonTNT (@NHL_On_TNT) April 14, 2024
After Tuesday’s games transpired, the worst takes started to emerge on Twitter (I’m never calling it “X”) about an NHL Play-In Tournament. Here are some samples of such foolishness:
Thursday Night there should be a play-in tournament game in Detroit. Penguins at Red Wings. One game playoff. NHL needs to adopt this format ASAP.
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) April 17, 2024
We need play-in games in the NHL pronto
— Nick Alberga (@thegoldenmuzzy) April 16, 2024
The NHL should change its format to include a play-in tournament for the wild cards.
— Blais (@BlaisHunter) April 18, 2024
*sprays Twitter accounts*
NO! BAD! BAD TAKE!
Stop Trying to Make the NHL into the NBA
Embed from Getty ImagesIn 1993, Gary Bettman was installed as the NHL’s first commissioner. Bettman was second-in-command to then-NBA commissioner David Stern, who had turned the NBA into a juggernaut. At the time of hiring, the two leagues were in direct competition with each other. In his early years, it felt like Bettman was trying too hard to turn the NHL into the NBA: renaming the divisions and conferences, retooling the playoff format from division to conference seeds, and so on. As Bettman has matured in his role, he has seen the light and let the NHL be the unique product it is. Now, sports fans want to make the NHL into the NBA.
No. Stop trying to make the NHL into the NBA. A Play-In Tournament makes the NHL look like a copycat. The NHL can attract more fans with its uniqueness. Let’s keep it the way it is.
Let Chaos Reign
Tuesday’s chaos in the NHL was fun. It may have been heart-wrenching and angina-inducing for fan bases of the teams fighting for those spots, but it was fun. Years like this and playoff races in past years make the NHL exciting to watch. The atmosphere is like “Decision Day” in England’s Premier League. Who could forget Paul Merson’s reaction on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday in 2012 when Manchester City won their first championship in 44 years? His reaction to Man City’s comeback win against Queens Park Rangers to seal the EPL is Internet gold.
What makes the NHL so unique is the fact that the final playoff spot – whether it be a division title or a wild card berth – is always up for grabs. The same playoff chase makes the NFL and Major League Baseball unique. (By the way, give some respect to the MLB for the OG Play-In games.) In regards to the NBA, I believe the NBA Cup (it hurt so much to type this) and the Play-In Tournament has hurt the product. The chaos surrounding the final days of the regular season is fun and exciting – and a Play-In Tournament in the NHL would make it less so.
Let chaos reign – and each team go its own way.
