Jamie Nye: WHL, NHL playoff formats need to go

Here is hoping this is the end of the NHL and WHL Divisional playoff format.

In the NHL, before last night’s games, the Colorado Avalanche sat sixth in the Central Division but had the eighth-best record in the conference. They were out of the playoffs because the weaker Pacific Division gets three teams in the playoffs no matter what.

Over in the East, the Atlantic Division has the first, second and third best teams in their conference but will have to fight each other off in the first two rounds. The same thing happened last year when the top two teams in the conference played in the second round, rather than the third.

As for the WHL, the Prince Albert Raiders or Saskatoon Blades could miss the playoffs while the Kootenay Ice will make the playoffs despite having a worse record. All because of the division/wild card format.

What was so wrong with making sure the top eight teams make the playoffs and the best teams get the home-ice advantage?

There was nothing wrong with that format. It worked. And next year it should return.