The Leafs had more points than Philly, but Philly won their division, thus earned home ice advantage.Ranger68 said:
The Flyers were slightly better than the Leafs, thus earned home ice advantage,
I don't think it is necessarily stupid but I don't agree with. While I know they want the Division winner in the reg. season to mean something, having a lower point total division winning team ahead of some other team in the conference standings is not just. That division winner racked their points at the expense of weaker teams in its own divison. It also does not stir the pot come playoff time. While I like the battle of Otario, 3 of the 4 matchups were 1st round, look at the Habs too. Last two years they made the playoffs was against the Bruins in the 1st round. Philly and NJ also met inthe fiorst round. These teams also are in the same division. 10 or so years ago they went to conference set-up as opposed to division set-up to make these 1st round matchups less frequent. Change the seeding NHL.johnnyhandsome said:Am I the only who thinks that is a stupid NHL rule??
Division leaders are seeded first.