Is the NHL looking at expanding the playoffs?

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Dorin Canaday
December 15, 2022 (12:16)

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Should the NHL follow the NBA and MLB when it comes to expanding the postseason?

A ''play-in'' with more teams was heavily discussed at this week's Board of Governors meetings, and apparently, members are in favor.

As per @allhockeyculture on Instagram:

NHL insider Pierre LeBrun asked 12 members of the NHL board of governors about their opinion on potential playoff expansion at the Board's meeting yesterday, all 12 of which were in favor.

Most of the board wants to see a similar format to a play-in tournament of the NBA, in which 7 plays 10 and 8 plays 9 to determine who gains the final two spots in either conference.

This method is favored by the board due to its lack of watering down the playoff pool and expansion of revenue and important games in March.

However, according to TSN's Chris Johnston, the league's Commissioner Gary Bettman, isn't on the same page.

Gary Bettman continues to have no interest in adding a play-in/wild-card round to the Stanley Cup playoffs: ''You're looking to fix a problem that doesn't exist.''

POLL
15 DECEMBRE \| 35 ANSWERS Is the NHL looking at expanding the playoffs? Should the NHL have a play-in tournament?
Yes	13	37.1 %
No	22	62.9 %
LIST OF POLLS

Is the NHL looking at expanding the playoffs?

Should the NHL follow the NBA and MLB when it comes to expanding the postseason?

Should the NHL have a play-in tournament?