Chris Johnston presented an idea on Steve Dangle's podcast that Vegas Golden Knights fans (or NHL fans, in general) won't really like. It concerns a concept that the NBA is currently doing with its playoff format.
The concept? The play-in format.
"I can tell you internally the demand for that is so high. When there is a change in Commissioner... I think it'll be one of the first major changes the league makes."Chris Johnston
Personally, this is bad. I'm talking about "the NHL replacing Gary Bettman with a Rob Manfred-type Commissioner just to do this" bad. You know for a fact Manfred would pull something like this, too.
He's already trying to ruin baseball with a salary cap. Why stop there? Let's use a Manfred-esque idea, do what the NBA did, and put in a tournament that fans don't want!
Sure! That'll win their interest and trust as the Ottawa Senators and the Detroit Red Wings battle for a playoff spot.
Why the play-in format is a bad idea for Golden Knights fans and hockey fans alike
Let's be honest. The NBA has gone down a proverbial spiral in recent years. Their NBA Finals ratings have decreased from an average of 11.6 in 2015 to 5.6 in 2025. The Finals ratings are a barometer of a league falling behind and fans losing overall interest.
It isn't just because of LeBron's flops or receding hairline. Part of the equation also stems from meaningless play-in games.
Sometimes, too much of a good thing can exhaust a fan. That's especially true when near-meaningless games are being played. Sure, there might be a game where a late goal sends the game into overtime. But does that really matter when the teams playing eventually tucker out?
Plus, you play for the right to be eliminated after one game? What's the purpose of even trying to make the Stanley Cup playoffs, then? You're throwing away your season at this point...
Therefore, no bueno on the play-in format. However, one change to the playoff format will make the Stanley Cup playoffs better. It's something the NHL has done before...
The NHL needs to go back to the 1-8 format
The NHL's better off going to a 1-8 format for each conference. Last season, the points order for each conference was as follows:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
- Washington Capitals: 111 pts.
- Toronto Maple Leafs: 108 pts.
- Tampa Bay Lightning: 102 pts.
- Carolina Hurricanes: 99 pts.
- Florida Panthers: 98 pts.
- Ottawa Senators: 97 pts.
- New Jersey Devils: 91 pts.
- Montreal Canadiens: 91 pts.
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
- Winnipeg Jets: 116 pts.
- Vegas Golden Knights: 110 pts.
- Dallas Stars: 106 pts.
- Los Angeles Kings: 105 pts.
- Colorado Avalanche: 102 pts.
- Edmonton Oilers: 101 pts.
- Minnesota Wild: 97 pts.
- St. Louis Blues: 96 pts.
Let's also take the format of the highest seeds facing the lowest seeds. While little would change in the Western Conference aside from Winnipeg being in the Western Conference Final and a fresh Los Angeles-Colorado match-up, the Eastern Conference would see a massive overhaul.
I can see the New Jersey Devils getting past the Toronto Maple Leafs since Toronto rarely makes it past the first round. You would also see a potential Sunshine State battle in the second round, making for excellent television.
Here's hoping that Gary Bettman kills off the play-in idea at every turn. The NHL deserves some changes that'll help the league. The play-in isn't one of them.