Since news broke that two teams voted no to the Return to Play format, both the Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes gave their reasons why. For Tampa, the concern was being at a disadvantage in the opening round of the 16 team playoffs. Their concern was legitimate. While they and three others would play a best of three for seeding in the East, 8 teams would be playing do or die hockey in a best of five to get in.
Enter Crying Carolina
Even before the vote, Hurricanes player rep Jordan Martinook voiced his concern about “fairness”.