TAMPA, FLA.—It’s a scary thought for Toronto Maple Leafs fans with Stanley Cup dreams. If the NHL playoffs began Thursday, the Maple Leafs and Lightning would have found themselves on a collision course to meet in the playoffs. The Lightning, the NHL’s top team, and the second-ranked Leafs could face each other in the second round of the playoffs. The NHL’s current playoff format is nonsensical to its core. “In the end, what are you going to do about it?” said Mike Babcock, the Maple Leafs coach.

Source: thestar December 14, 2018 00:51 UTC