The NHL's playoff scheduling for the Canadiens raises questions about decision-making, especially ahead of Game 4 against the Lightning. Fans wonder if a Saturday night game would enhance the atmosphere.
Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
As the Montreal Canadiens prepare to face the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 4 of their first-round series, it’s difficult not to question the NHL’s decision-making when formulating the playoff schedule.
Before we get going, it’s important to remember that the league doesn’t revolve around the Habs, and that there are other factors to consider than just hockey. Arenas have become money-makers for their billionaire owners outside the modern sports setting, with concerts providing much of the profit throughout the year. With that in mind, it’s always difficult to produce a perfect schedule, as there is an endless stream of variables to consider.
And yet, while watching the crowd serenade the Canadiens after their exciting Game 3 win, I couldn’t help but wonder how much better the atmosphere would have been on a Saturday night.
On the surface, it probably shouldn’t make a difference. The Canadiens will have played two games on the weekend, Friday and Sunday, providing the Bell-Centre faithful with plenty of opportunities to celebrate the youngest team in the league.
But if the NHL’s goal is to give more exposure to the ultimate fan experience in a bid to grow the sport, they’d be well served by providing new fans with a glimpse of the most exciting atmosphere in North America, and that phenomenon only takes place on Saturday night, in the playoffs, at the Bell Centre.
Admittedly, this opinion is dripping in arrogance, as there are other arenas that provide a healthy atmosphere, but there’s a reason the Bell Centre is perennially ranked as the best rink in the league.
No other arena can match the intensity, and no other fans can maintain that level of intensity throughout sixty minutes of play, or more.
The scheduling has been criticized for not maximizing fan engagement and atmosphere, particularly with the Canadiens' strong home support.
Factors include arena availability, potential revenue from concerts, and the need to balance the interests of all teams in the league.
A Saturday night game is believed to attract more fans and create a more vibrant atmosphere, enhancing the overall playoff experience.
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And given the intensity involved in every game that features the Montreal Canadiens and the Tampa Bay Lightning, the odds of having an underwhelming game on a national broadcast would be mitigated considerably.
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