NHL still faces pressing restart issues

Reseeding, border situation among hurdles to resolve

The plan for an expanded 24team postseason that was approved by the NHL Players’ Association executive committee Friday means the end of the 2019-20 regular season.

Any way you looka at the standings, whether it’s points or points percentage, the Golden Knights unofficially are the Pacific Division champions.

Twice in the last three years. The NHL has more pressing matters now that the framework for a return to play is in place, not the least of which is establishing coronavirus testing procedures and health protocols.

An announcement could come early next week, but before that can happen, here are some of the other details the NHL still must sort through:

1. What format will be used for the 24-team tournament?

According to a report from TSN, the NHL is trying to decide whether it will go with a traditional bracket or reseed the playoffs.

Why does this matter? Let’s say No. 12 seed Chicago takes out fifth-seeded Edmonton during the best-of-five play-in round.

In a bracket format, the Blackhawks would advance to play the fourth seed, while the top seed draws the winner of the No. 8-9 matchup between Calgary and Winnipeg. That doesn’t seem fair.

If the league reseeds after the play-in round, the top seed (likely St. Louis) would be rewarded by facing the lowest remaining seed, which would be the Blackhawks, a team that was a seller at the trade deadline.

The NHL also reportedly has to work out whether the conference quarterfinals will feature best-offive

Eastern Conference

Play-in round

■ No. 5 Pittsburgh vs. No. 12 Montreal

■ No. 6 Carolina vs. No. 11 New York Rangers

■ No. 7 New York Islanders vs. No. 10 Florida

■ No. 8 Toronto vs. No. 9 Columbus

■ Byes: Boston, Tampa Bay, Washington, Philadelphia

or best-of-seven series.

2. How will the round robin affect seeding?

The top four teams from each conference will receive a bye to the quarterfinals. That much is clear.

The Knights will start as the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference behind St. Louis and Colorado, but the NHL must establish how all this is going to work.

Will teams play three games? Six