Philadelphia Flyers: New proposed playoff format involves matchup with Blue Jackets

The situation remains fluid as the NHL’s plans to resume the league continue to develop. Their latest idea gives the Flyers a new opponent in the playoffs.

We are closing on on two months since the league decided to pause the season. Players and teams have been in quarantine, most having returned to their homes across the country. There has been no word on when teams will be able to start training. But a new idea floating around would have the Flyers facing off against a different opponent in the playoffs.

Larry Brooks of the New York Post reported the idea of the league looking at a 24-team playoff. It is looking more and more like the NHL is shifting away from completing the regular season. Some teams had as many as 13 games remaining on their schedules.

There are a few reasons the league would want to go in this direction. The biggest being not having to quarantine in a host city for months on end just to finish the season and playoffs. Avoiding a second potential wave is also a significant reason.

There is no word as of now on how the 24-team tournament would work. One would assume the league would take the top 12 teams in each conference and pit them up against each other. It would likely be a college-like setup to figure out the opponents.

Using points-percentage to figure out the matchups, this tournament would have the Flyers facing Columbus in the first round. Philadelphia is the fourth best team in the conference while the Blue Jackets are ninth.

This would be a favorable matchup for the Flyers. They swept Columbus in the season series, out scoring them 19-10 in the four games.

This format would also allow teams such as the New York Rangers and Chicago Blackhawks to make the playoffs. Both teams are currently on the outside of a normal playoff scenario.

Everything is still on the table in regards to how the NHL could resume. But starting off with the playoffs is looking like a more likely scenario. The Flyers have nothing to worry about no matter what the league decides.

Their push the last few weeks has put them in a good position whenever the league is able to resume.