Lightning, Hurricanes voted against NHL's 24-team playoff format

The NHL's 24-team playoff format was approved by the NHLPA this week, but two of the league's top teams are less than happy with the scenario.

One of those teams is the Tampa Bay Lightning, who feel that the new format gives some organizations an unfair advantage. Lightning winger and NHLPA representative Alex Killorn explained his reasoning, according to The Athletic's Joe Smith:

"I brought the format to my team. They didn't feel it was fair that certain teams that probably wouldn't have made the playoffs would have a chance to make the playoffs in a best-of-five series. My team also felt it was unfair that the teams with a bye would not be as well prepared for a playoff series as the teams that had already basically played a playoff series to get into the playoffs."

Before the season was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Lightning ranked second in the Atlantic Division behind the Boston Bruins. Under the 24-team format, Tampa would be guaranteed a playoff spot. Instead of participating in a best-of-five play-in series, the top four teams in each conference will reportedly be given a bye and instead compete in a round-robin tournament to determine seeding.

This format would make things especially difficult for the teams who do have a first-round bye. Things probably wouldn't be as competitive to determine seeding, and therefore teams wouldn't be prepared for grueling playoff hockey.

The Carolina Hurricanes were the other team to vote against the proposed format, according to The Athletic's Sara Civian, who added that more details will come. 

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, the teams and the NHLPA are continuing to iron out specific details of the format, and an official announcement regarding details is expected sometime next week.