Winnipeg Jets could play Calgary Flames in 24-team NHL playoff structure

Last night the NHLPA announced that they had voted to authorize further negotiations with the NHL on the proposed 24-team return to play format to determine the winner of the 2020 Stanley Cup.  Of course the biggest questions is whether the NHL season which is currently paused will continue at some point this summer.  While that remains a big ‘if’ the fact is both the NHL and NHLPA have to plan for that contingency.

Here is what hockey insider Elliotte Friedman reported:

The top four seeds (based on points percentage) in the East would be Boston, Tampa Bay, Washington and Philadelphia. Top four in the West would be St. Louis, Colorado, Vegas and Dallas.

They would receive byes through the play-in, but participate in a three-game tournament to get some action.

The rest of the playoffs would be “bracketed.” That means, in both conferences 5 vs. 12, 6 vs. 11, 7 vs. 10, and 8 vs. 9.

8. Calgary vs. 9. Winnipeg (winner plays one seed)

The play-in series would be a best-of-five. The rest of the playoffs would be best-of-seven.

Who is ready for a battle of Atlanta 1.0 vs Atlanta 2.0?

The two Canadian squads have only played once this season which was back in October when the Jets defeated the Flames 2-1 in overtime at the Heritage Classic in Regina.  The two teams were scheduled to face each other twice more in Calgary to conclude the 2019-20 regular season.

Here is how TSN’s Travis Yost sees the series:

Winnipeg is a very flawed team with serious, albeit shorter-term concerns over how to deploy their young blueline. But you do have to love this matchup for the Jets. Despite being the lower seed, the Jets were 18 goals better than the Flames this season, and a lot of that has to do with having a soon-to-be Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender in Connor Hellebuyck. Even conceding this Jets lineup has structural problems in the skater ranks, the star talent on the Jets roster is obvious, and Hellebuyck carries a significant advantage over David Rittich or Cam Talbot.

The winner of this series between the Jets and Flames would take on the #1 seed which would be one of St. Louis, Colorado, Vegas or Dallas.

While there are still lots of details to iron out including whether there will even be a season this would certainly be an exciting contest between these two squads.

It would be the first playoff series between a Jets and Flames team since Winnipeg defeated Calgary 4 games to 2 in the Smythe Division Semi-Finals back in 1986-87.