This has a feel of college basketball’s March Madness with this play-in round that the NHL is including in their return-to-play plan. It’s creative and is definitely creating a lot of buzz.
Even fans and analysts outside of hockey are finding intrigue in the NHL’s plan to not only have a postseason, but also give the fringe teams a chance to play their way into the field.
Initially I was skeptical over this idea. I thought there were too many teams being included and it was too gimmicky. But I’m coming around on it to the point that I actually really like it.