Blackhawks: Fans shouldn’t complain about a playoff spot

The Chicago Blackhawks were added to the playoffs as the 23rd best team in hockey, something no one has ever seen before, due to the 24-team playoff. Fans have already called foul and put an asterisk next to their playoff spot.

The Chicago Blackhawks are back into the playoffs for the first time since 2017. For those fans who say they didn’t make it, they technically did. Chicago fits the 24-team format, something that seven other teams didn’t do. Now, if every team made the playoffs, then I could understand fans putting an asterisk next to their name.

Hockey fans have called foul and have made comments saying the NHL did this just to add the Blackhawks back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It’s an interesting comment, one that I disagree with. Gary Bettman has been very tough on the Blackhawks and their players over the years, handing out suspensions to players and coaches, some warranted, some not.

Here’s the issue, Chicago fans are arguing by saying that their team shouldn’t be in the playoffs. There’s way too much friendly fire going on between fans on social media.

I don’t understand, there is a set rule by the NHL of the top 12 teams in each conference qualified for the playoffs. It’s adding four teams per conference, unlike other years, but they still are qualified for the adjusted rules due to the NHL pause.

Another thing fans need to look at, the Blackhawks started very slow, playing their best hockey later in the season. They were close to the playoffs, with them being just six points out with 10 games to go. If they were to go on an 8-2-0 run or something to the effect of that, they could have snuck in.

So for fans to say it’s unfair or to add an asterisk to this year’s playoff run, don’t. The Blackhawks fit the qualifications for this year’s playoff set up.