NHL Commissioner comments on expanding playoffs; officiating in post season

With both the NBA and MLB changing their playoff formats in the last couple of years, many have wondered whether the NHL might follow suit. The NBA now has a play-in tournament, while MLB has expanded its format to include more teams. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says he likes the way the NHL's playoffs are formatted now.

"The reason this is as good as it is is because the regular season and playoffs are meaningful," said Bettman. "Having half of our teams eligible I think is the right balance, I think it creates great competition throughout the regular season. It makes the games most meaningful and there's nothing like our playoff tournament, the Stanley Cup is the hardest to win, and there's nothing in any sport like our first round."

Ultimately, Bettman says he doesn't see the point in change for the sake of change.

"Listen, I love the fact that people are so passionate about the game that there's always a debate about what we can change, but change for the sake of change, or change because somebody else is doing it differently, under the right circumstance can make sense, but for us right now, we like where we are. We think the game's in really good shape."

The commissioner was also asked about the state of officiating in the playoffs. The post season usually seems to be a time with the referees are more likely to put their whistles away and let things play out. However, Bettman insisted that is not the case.

"The standard is the standard. It's not a regular-season standard, it's not a playoff standard," Bettman said. "We continue to reinforce to the officials, 'We want you to call the NHL standard.' And that standard is to reinforce speed and skill and the officials are doing that."

The opening night of this year's playoffs included a record number of penalties and it looks like that's not going to change as we go deeper unless the players themselves adjust their play on the ice.

Source: Sportsnet

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