|
How playoff format affects Avs |
|
|
Rick Sadowski
 Colorado Avalanche Blogger •Avalanche Insider • RSS
• Archive
• CONTACT
|
|
|
The NHL on Thursday announced how the Return To Play Plan will work, though where and when the games are played has yet to be determined.
The format was approved by the league’s Board of Governors and the NHL Players’ Association.
Also, Kroenke Sports, which owns the Avalanche, released a statement following the death of George Floyd. That statement follows the NHL news.
And here are center Nazem Kadri’s thoughts on racism and racial inequality that still exist:
The Avalanche, of course, are guaranteed a top four seed that will be determined in round-robin play with St. Louis, Dallas and Vegas. Regular-season overtime and shootout rules will be used, and in the case that teams are tied after the games, seeds will be determined by regular-season points percentage.
The Avalanche went 4-2-2 against their round robin opponents in the regular season, for whatever that is worth: 2-2-0 against the Blues, 0-2-2 against the Stars and 2-0-0 against the Golden Knights.
The qualifying round will be best-of-five series and the remaining rounds -- first, second, conference finals and Stanley Cup Final -- will be best-of-seven series.
Teams will be re-seeded – not bracketed – after each round of the playoffs.
The higher seeded team in the qualifying round will be designated as the home team in Games 1, 2 and 5. The lower seeds will be the home team in Games 3 and 4.
The higher seeds in the first and second rounds, and in the conference finals, will be the home teams in Game 1, 2, 5 and 7. The lower seeds will be the home teams in Games 3, 4 and 6.
In the Stanley Cup Final, the team with the higher regular-season points percentage will be the home team in Games 1, 2, 5 and 7. Its opponent will be the home team in Games 3, 4 and 6.
**********
Here’s the Kroenke Sports statement:
“Our nation is in mourning and in pain as we continue to struggle with the persistent legacy of racism and racial inequality. So often, sports have played a critical role in binding and integrating societies. During some of America's darkest days, sports have provided a source of light.
“From Jesse Owens to Jackie Robinson to Muhammad Ali, selfless and courageous athletes have opened our hearts, eyes and minds. Embracing diversity and accommodating difference to create a symphonic whole, marks a core virtue of any team.
It is our deepest hope that these horrific events unite us and start honest and difficult discourse on eradicating hate. Each of us has a role to play in realizing Dr. Martin Luther King's long-deferred dream.
“We will continue to work with civil rights groups, community activists, government leaders, our players and staff during this uncertain time. Meanwhile, our thoughts are with the Floyd family. They are also with all Americans who feel as though their voice and dignity has been compromised by intolerance.”
Join the Discussion:
»