Rigamarole - A Foot In The Crease - Episode 2.32

www.afootinthecrease.com

The recently concluded regular season arguably contained the most parity of any NHL campaign in recent memory. In the Western Conference seven of the eight playoff teams recorded seasons of well over 100 points. Calgary, which locked up the eighth seed at the expense of the Colorado Avalanche’s playoff streak, also were on pace to reach the century mark until losses in their final two games put that milestone out of reach. The aforementioned Avalanche put together a late season surge that made a race out of the final playoff spot in the West when many thought it was all but decided with a month remaining in the regular season.

In the Eastern Conference, well, we all know just how long the tension for its final playoff spot was stretched out. Not evening mentioning the Maple Leafs, the teams that finished below them including Montreal, Carolina, and even the Florida Panthers who saw a strong finish, could arguably after provided some worthy playoff competition.

Naturally, much of the talk in the days leading up to the playoffs centered on another likely Senators collapse…ok well that was just us. In fact rather many people were suggesting that the NHL ought to consider expanding the playoffs to allow some of the playoff worthy teams that just missed to be included in future seasons. Commissioner Bettman was mum to the idea when it was presented to him this past week and suggested that by expanding the playoff format, the league would likely lose much of the excitement of the races down the stretch for the final playoff positions.

I don’t often see eye to eye with Mr. Bettman but in this case, I feel he is correct. Bet you didn’t expect that out of me when you consider the Maple Leafs fate this season. I do feel though that by expanding the number of teams granted playoff spots, it would further devalue the regular season. It is a long struggle played out over six months and for that it should mean something. Let the majority of the league in and to me, it makes the regular season seem like a waste of time. But hey, all that was just rigamarole.