Debating The NHL Playoff Format

Friday is Ask The Maven day and we're off and running with this query from Ed Vignow from Tampa  Bay: 

DO YOU THINK THE CURRENT SYSTEM OF PICKING PLAYOFF TEAMS SHOULD BE CHANGED?

MAVEN REPLY: The NHL leadership – headed by Commissioner Gary Bettman and league

Board Chairman Jeremy Jacob – have considered alterations in playoff matchups over the years.

This year there were two suggestions: One was to add more teams to the mix and the other was juggle the teams into another formats.

Adherents for each alteration make good points but the league command is sticking for one established reason – IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT!

Or, to put it another way; the owners like it just the way it is and they have had plenty of time to study the alternatives.