Capitals: Bring on a 24-team playoff format for 2020
There have been reports surfacing about a 24-team playoff format. All we can say about that is bring it on.
Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reported on Sunday morning about how progress is being made toward implementing a 24-team playoff format to award the Stanley Cup. This could be a fun and creative way to watch the rest of 2019-20 play out and who knows, maybe the Washington Capitals come out on top once again?
In a Tweet, LeBruin said, “Sources indicate the Return to Play Committee has talked throughout the weekend, NHL-NHLPA making progress on a 24-team format. Sources also stressing there’s still work to be done, but clearly the weekend has produced some traction. More talks expected over the next day or two.”
It’s nothing concrete but it’s the most positive news we have heard since the league stopped play to pause the season in the middle of March just weeks before the Stanley Cup playoffs were about to begin. The situation is still under development but it sounds like progress is being made.
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As for how this format will work it’ll be 24 teams with 12 in each conference. This would also help the bubble teams that are on the outside of the playoff picture looking in before the pause.
LeBrun mentioned that the NHL Board of Governors will hold a conference call at 3 p.m. on Monday. It is unknown whether or not the league will make a final decision on the 24 team playoff format but it sure sounds like most of those parties involved want the season to return.
There are several teams fighting for those last two wild card spots in the Eastern and Western Conferences. Those bubble teams will benefit with the expanded playoff format.
Looking at the conference standings, the Capitals are ranked third in the East. Assume the matchup goes from low seed to high seed, the Caps would begin the playoff season taking on the 10th place New York Rangers.
A Caps vs. Rangers matchup to begin the playoffs? After what happened five years ago, bring it on.
But where the Caps stand right now might not even determine the matchup. There’s talks going on about the playoffs starting in a round robin format within the division before moving on to a normal postseason.
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There’s still so many questions but hopefully in the coming days we’ll know more about the direction the league wants to go to continue the season.