PWHL Playoffs: A New Format

There have been a number of developments over the last few days that I pushed this story back a few times, but it seems appropriate to post it today since the PWHL Playoffs will be upon faster than we likely realize. It's always a bit of a head-scratcher when it comes to how to find a suitable format for a six-team league, but we've seen the RSEQ operate with six teams the last couple of seasons with little trouble. However, the PWHL isn't going with the a traditional two-round format like we see in the RSEQ. Instead, the PWHL has come up with a few rules they've borrowed from other leagues, and it should make the playoffs little more interesting when they start.

Just as a note before we get started: that trophy in the image above is one I mocked up, and is NOT anything official from the PWHL. While it would be fun to have a modern trophy, there clearly isn't anywhere for the league to add team names of the champions unless they could add layers onto the bottom of the trophy I selected. What should be clear is that my choice of trophy will likely resemble nothing that the PWHL ultimately selects for its annual champion.

When it comes to the playoffs, the PWHL will reward the top-four teams with playoff spots beginning on May 6. There won't be a 3-vs-6 or 4-vs-5 play-in game or anything - the top-four teams make the dance to see if they can win the championship. That's pretty straightforward, so things feel like a traditional postseason so far.

Where things get a little more fun will be the rule that allows the first-place team to select their semifinal opponent. Several European leagues use this rule to help build rivalries and engage fans and the PHF used it for a while, so I suspect that's the purpose for this rule being implemented in the PWHL - stoke the rivalries between teams. Can you imagine a Toronto-Montreal or Montreal-Ottawa first-round matchup? It could happen regardless of where the lower-placed team finishes as the first-overall team will choose their opponents.

The PWHL also imposed a 24-hour time limit on the first-place team choosing their opponent. Obviously, teams need to be aware of where they're going when it comes to travel so I understand why it's being imposed, but I'd expect a decision within twelve hours for whoever finishes in first-place. It's not like many first-place teams will choose the second-place team, especially if they've had close games all season, so expect to hear a decision quickly for whichever teams finishes atop the PWHL mountain.

Both the semifinal series and the final series will be best-of-five series with the higher-seeded team hosting Games One, Two, and Five. This seems like a bit of a mistake to me considering that a team could be up 2-0 in the final with two chances to win the championship on the road, so maybe this will be reviewed and changed to a format that allows a higher-seeded team to win in front of their own fans in the future. Regardless of what I believe, the 1-2-5 for higher-seeded teams is how this year's playoffs will be played.

In the spirit of traditional hockey, games requiring overtime will be decided by playing five-on-five until a winning goal is scored. I love this idea so that players don't get stapled to the bench unless it's a coaching decision, but it also truly enhances the idealism of "win as a team". As exciting as three-on-three overtime is, playoff hockey is a different beast where all members of the team who are dressed should, in theory, get a chance at being the heroine of the story.

For those two teams who aren't taking part in the playoffs, the PWHL has decided to employ the "Gold Plan", created by Adam Gold, that rewards teams who continue to play hard right through to the end of the season. These two teams participating in the Gold Plan will compete for the top pick in each round of the 2024 PWHL Draft. The team with more points will draft first in each round; the other team will draft second in each round.

What is this "Gold Plan", you ask? It's actually a way to keep things competitive, but here's the explanation from the PWHL:

"Once a team is mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, it begins earning ‘Draft Order Points’ in all subsequent games (including all regular-season games that begin following a team’s elimination), using the league’s standard points system that awards three points for a regulation win, two points for an overtime or shootout win, one point for an overtime or shootout loss, and zero points for a regulation loss. The team with the most Draft Order Points at the conclusion of the regular season will earn the first selection in each round of the draft. The non-playoff team with the fewest Draft Order Points will select second in each round of the draft."

Pretty reasonable, right? The only problem I see is if one team is left behind in the standings while the other five remain competitive. Obviously, that team that's at the bottom of the standings would reach the "Gold Plan" mark earlier than other teams, and it would almost certainly allow that team to bank Gold Plan points. Does that team need some help? Absolutely based on their standing, but one has to hope that a team battling for fourth-place simply won't throw in the towel and start planning for next season with weeks to go.

In the event that two teams find themselves in the thick of the Gold Plan's competition, the team with the most regulation wins after being eliminated from the playoffs will earn that coveted first-selection right. If the teams are tied in regulation wins, the team with the most combined overtime and shootout wins after being eliminated will earn the top pick. If they're somehow still tied, the team with the fewest overall regular-season standings points will earn the first selection. Again, fairly straightforward.

The blend between the traditional playoff ideas and the new wrinkles introduced should make the PWHL Playoffs interesting. At the very least, it will be must-watch television for that series where the first-place team chooses their opponent. Does that give the team who was selected a little more motivation to do whatever it takes to beat first-place since first-place likely believed they had the best chance to advance with their choice? That series could be fun if the lower-seeded team comes in with a little fire!

What are your thoughts on this playoff format - good? Not a fan? Indifferent? Feel free to leave a comment, and we can discuss your likes and dislikes about it. I suspect the Gold Rule won't have a huge effect this season, but as the PWHL grows, it will have a larger effect on the draft. One thing is certain, though, and that's counting me as a fan of this playoff format for the PWHL.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!