Incoming Change to the NHL Playoff Format Creates Major Advantage for the Toronto Maple Leafs

Over the past few years, NHL fans have taken exception to the current playoff format, which includes the top three teams in each division and two Wild Card teams.

This has created a world in which we see the exact same matchups year after year. Throughout the past decade, we have seen countless first and second round series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Boston Bruins, Tampa Bay Lightning, or Florida Panthers.

Overall, this has not benefitted the Leafs, who consistently find themselves on the wrong side of championship-winning runs.

This has made fans yearn for the days of the 1-8 system. The first round matchups were more varied, and it felt like there was a lot more parity.

According to Chris Johnston, fans may get that wish very soon. In a new report, he suggests the NHL is looking at a return to the 1-8 system, much like the NBA. Furthermore, we could see the implementation of a play-in round for the Wild Card slots.

Ultimately, a lot of fans would love this kind of thing, even if the play-in is a little bit of a gimmick.

This could end up being an immediate benefit for the Maple Leafs. Why? Because it would mean there is more potential to avoid the Atlantic Division's heavy-hitters in the first or second round.

As of right now, they are guaranteed to face the Panthers or the Lightning. In a 1-8 scenario, they could end up getting weaker teams at the start of their run, all but guaranteeing an Eastern Conference Finals appearance.

If you are a Maple Leafs fan, you can't help but hope for this to be the case.