from Larry Brooks of the New York Post,
Now try to tell me again that the reason the league doesn’t break down into 1-8, 2-7, 3-6, 4-5 conference-based first-round matchups is to foster divisional rivalries and I will tell you that is about the most idiotic explanation you could attempt to offer.
Ninth Avenue does not believe in rivalries.
The schedule matrix is hopelessly broken. The Islanders were the designated home team for the Stadium Series match in New Jersey, so the Rangers haven’t even been to UBS this season. Indeed, the Blueshirts have not played a regular season game on the Island since Oct. 22, 2022.
Holy Dave Fortier!
It is the height of absurdity that clubs play only 26 games within their respective divisions — 32 percent of the schedule — while playing 32 games against teams in the other conference. The Rangers play the Penguins three times this season just as they played three times against the Islanders last year.
Love how Li'l Gary likes to make up garbage about how he wants to build rivalries, and then Toronto doesn't play a single game in Detroit this season. No rivalry going back 100 years, or within the division there, right?
The "Global Series" eating Detroit's "home game" vs Toronto while the Leafs still got 2 is some bullshit
Agree with Brooks 100%.
I agree with Larry Brook$ as well. He does point out that it's not all Bettman's fault. And the positioning of having all 32 teams play 1x vs. the others is a valid one. This way Connor McD and Connor B come to your house 1x a year. But that said - more games within the division would foster a better rivalry than the current set up.
The Rag$ have not played the Isles on the Island for 18 months. Worthy of note: That "home" game the Isles had in the recent Stadium Series was due to the factoid that if the West 33rd Street Rangers play a home game outside of MSG - they lose their tax status as noted in https://www.ibo.nyc.ny.us/ibor...
hence - when a recent Winter Classic between Buffalo and the Rag$ was at Citi Field - Buffalo was the "Home Team".
But sometimes - the teams are to blame for the lack of rivalry. NYI/NYR - no playoff series since 1994
NYI/NJD no series since the late 80's
Reason: when one team was good - the other was bad.
But even if I am just a spectator for this year's playoffs - I want to watch a lot of the games and I want there to be fever-pitch rivalries involved. Nothing like playoff hockey!
But regular season - More TOR/DET games on a Saturday Night in Motown or a good Flyers/Isles game on the island beats games vs AZ and WIN :)
Create an Account
In order to leave a comment, please create an account.