Auston Matthews has a surprising take on the current playoff format
During All-Star weekend, many of the players offered their opinions on the current playoff format with some saying it should change, some saying to leave it and others like Sidney Crosby saying they wanted it reverted back to the old 1 versus 8 conference format. With his knee injury keeping him out of the All-Star game and weekend festivities, Auston Matthews was unable to provide his thoughts on the playoff format until the Leafs returned to practice yesterday.
"I know certain guys have voiced what they believe. I'm pretty indifferent. I think the best team usually wins. With our division, it's a tough group to get out of, but I think the best team usually moves on. So it's up to the team," said Matthews when asked about the current playoff format.
Take what you will from his answer, but it would seem Matthews is fine with the current format as it gives him and the Leafs more of a challenge and over the past four seasons, the top two teams that make it out of the first round often find themselves in the Conference Final at the minimum (with the exception of the COVID-shortened season). Not to mention, over the last four seasons, the Leafs have lost to an eventual Stanley Cup winner or finalist. It's just a matter of the Leafs finding an extra gear when they have the opportunity to close out a series.
| POLL | ||
10 FEVRIER | 224 ANSWERS Auston Matthews has a surprising take on the current playoff format What is the best playoff format for the NHL? | ||
| Wild Card | 8 | 3.6 % |
| 1 vs 8 | 158 | 70.5 % |
| 1 vs 16 | 58 | 25.9 % |
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