Is the NHL Playoffs Best of 5 or 7?
The NHL playoffs are upon us and the question on everyone’s mind is: is it best of 5 or 7? We break down the pros and cons of each format to help you make a decision.
best of 5
more fair
The National Hockey League playoffs are a best-of-seven series. The higher-seeded team in each series starts the series at home.
While the first two rounds of the playoffs are best-of-seven series, the conference finals and Stanley Cup Finals are best-of-seven series.
Some people think that the best-of-five format is more fair because it gives the higher seeded team an extra game at home. However, other people believe that the best-of-seven format is more fair because it gives both teams an equal chance to win the series.
Ultimately, it is up to you to decide which format you think is more fair.
less chance of upset
Historically, the NHL playoffs have been a best-of-seven series. However, in recent years, the league has experimented with a best-of-five format for the first round of the playoffs. There are pros and cons to both formats, but ultimately it comes down to which format gives the better team a better chance of winning.
A best-of-seven series puts less of an emphasis on luck and gives the better team a better chance to win. In a best-of-five series, an upset is more likely because the lower seed only needs to win three games instead of four.
The NHL has not made a decision on which format to use for the playoffs, but it is something that they are continuing to evaluate.
best of 7
In the NHL, the playoffs are a best-of-seven series.
more exciting
The National Hockey League (NHL) playoffs are a best-of-seven elimination tournament among 16 teams in the Eastern Conference and 16 in the Western Conference. The Conference champions advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.
more opportunities for upsets
The National Hockey League’s playoff format is a best-of-seven series. The team that scores the most goals in the series advances to the next round.
Some people argue that the best-of-seven playoff format gives lower seeds too much of an opportunity to upset higher seeds. They point to the fact that in a best-of-five series, the higher seed would only have to win two games, while in a best-of-seven series, they would have to win four.
Others argue that the best-of-seven playoff format is more fair, because it gives both teams more opportunities to showcase their skills. In a best-of-five series, they argue, anything can happen in two games, and the better team doesn’t always win.
