Approximated Divisional Format

For fans that are used to the Conference format, this concept would be fairly easy to understand. The top 3 teams in each Division automatically earn playoff berths, just like in the current Wild Card format. If the number of teams from each Division in either Conference is even, the teams in the Division only draw each other, best record vs. worst record, rather than having the Wild Card format potentially create unnecessary (but potentially fairer) non-Divisional matchups.
If there is a 5-3 split, the matchups are determined by pooling all the playoff teams in the Conference together, like in the Conference format, and having the team with the best record draw the team with the worst record. If that matchup is a crossover, then the remaining matchups are all Divisional, best-versus-worst. If it is a Divisional matchup, the next best team draws the next worst team, and so forth until that single crossover occurs, then any remaining teams match up within their Divisions. This also prevents teams from crossing over and being locked into the opposite bracket: for Western teams, that can mean not being forced into matchups with teams 2 time zones away for the first 2 rounds. Teams that cross over, after winning, can instead end up drawing a Division rival in the second round, if it is appropriate relative to the standings.
Advantages
  • Relative simplicity for casual fans;
  • Fairer than Divisional and Wild Card Divisional;
  • Significantly more divisional matchups than Wild Card Divisional
  • Teams do not get forced into opposite division’s bracket and forced into extra time zone travel.
Disadvantages
  • Often restricts matchups to only Divisional (if teams are split 4-4 between divisions, or if 1-8 matchup is a crossover, locking all others as Divisional), resulting in less fair matchups and strong divisions being punished with more difficult paths through playoffs.
  • Very inconsistent score on 2+ time zone matchups, this deviates significantly year to year.
  • There is no resolution to the alignment issues facing the current alignment format, which this format uses without any adjustments, so Arizona will still face by far the most time zone travel of any team in the regular season and playoffs.
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