Talk:2015 Stanley Cup playoffs

Round names
I asked this question in the 2014 article with no response so I will ask it again here. Should the first and second round names be changed now that even the league's own annual publication is listing first round and second round as the names for the first two rounds? Deadman137 (talk) 18:51, 6 April 2015 (UTC)
 * I am honestly torn about this. Everyone grew accustomed to the old format; I don't know if changing it would make a big difference. I wouldn't mind the change, but if last year's playoffs used the old format then we should continue with it. Callmemirela  ( talk ) 01:08, 7 April 2015 (UTC)
 * The only reason that I'm bringing it up is because the league is using first and second round in the 2015 NHL Guide and Record book for last year's playoffs. Personally I'm fine with not changing anything but we have usually gone by what the league has used at the time for round names. Deadman137 (talk) 18:48, 7 April 2015 (UTC)
 * I would leave it as-is, personally. It's my sense that the NHL has not been consistent on this, and has some sources which refer to the first 2 rounds as the Conference Quarters/Semis, although I can't point to them now. MrArticleOne (talk) 21:46, 11 April 2015 (UTC)
 * This season they have been pretty consistent, if you go on to the league's website every single article lists Eastern or Western Conference First round series which can be seen with the following links:     Deadman137 (talk) 20:21, 13 April 2015 (UTC)

The media is using QF, SF and so on, which makes sense (like here or here). First and second round is just shorthand. Jmj713 (talk) 18:17, 15 April 2015 (UTC)
 * So we're going to take Larry Brooks and an un-named PR agent of the Washington Capitals as the experts in this? The facts are simple, this is not just shorthand as you can see in the 2015 NHL Guide and Record Book on pages 17, 19, 25, 27, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 71, 73, 75, 79, 95, 101, 103, 105, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 117, 119 and 241. That a total of 29 pages that refute the old Conference Quarter and Semifinal usage for 2014 and given the fact that the league continues to use Conference First Round series in their articles for this post season, it seems pretty clear that the change was made effective last year and the rest of us (including New York City beat writers) need to catch up with the times. Deadman137 (talk) 15:28, 16 April 2015 (UTC)
 * But we're taking the same stance with regard to NHL's insistence of calling the Stanley Cup Finals a singular Final. So it's not so much a matter of what the NHL itself officially may call the Finals or the other playoff rounds, but what is the common name for them. Jmj713 (talk) 15:59, 16 April 2015 (UTC)
 * Now you're just getting off topic. If you want to have a debate about the use of the word "Finals" then you can go and do just that, right now we're not talking about the Finals, we're talking about the first two rounds of the playoffs. From what I have been able to find for every one article that uses Quarter-Final there are about 7 or 8 articles that use First Round or First-round in some form. The sources that I have been checking include NBC, TSN, ESPN, Sportsnet and of course the league itself. So when you look at the common name it's becoming clearer that it is actually First Round. Deadman137 (talk) 19:57, 16 April 2015 (UTC)

TSN uses Conference quarterfinals & Conference semifinals. Can we please restore them to the 2014 & 2015 templates-in-question? GoodDay (talk) 01:15, 27 April 2015 (UTC)
 * It's been changed. Thank you for the notice. I wouldn't have realized the change of you didn't mention it. I am unsure about capitalization. I'll leave that to other users to figure out. Callmemirela  ( Go Habs Go! ) 01:27, 27 April 2015 (UTC)

Playoff brackets & info on the rounds
This is intended for all editors: please do not add the brackets and the additional content about each match between two teams until everything is confirmed. This is to avoid empty content and constant TBA/TBD. This consensus was reached between two/three other editors and I through edits. All edits removing the tags will be reverted. Tonight or tomorrow will be the revelation of all team match ups of the first round. Please wait. Thank you, Callmemirela  ( talk ) 22:54, 11 April 2015 (UTC)

Ottawa Senators Historic Comeback
The Senators incredible comeback should also be mentioned. It was the first time a team made the playoffs from 14 points out of playoff spot. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.118.13.97 (talk • contribs)
 * Do you have a reliable source that we can cite? Zzyzx11 (talk) 05:18, 12 April 2015 (UTC)
 * This could be used . Deadman137 (talk) 21:31, 13 April 2015 (UTC)
 * I actually found a reliable source from NHL.com and added it to the second paragraph of the lead at 22:19, 12 April 2015‎ UTC. It is just I forgot to post a comment here saying that I did so. Zzyzx11 (talk) 04:42, 14 April 2015 (UTC)

Inclusion of TVA/French broadcasters on the schedule tables
There was dispute and short edit war last year over whether to include the French-language broadcaster on the schedule tables, see Talk:2014 Stanley Cup playoffs. The impression I got in that discussion and in those edit summaries was the argument that it was not necessary here on the English Wikipedia: most people looking here would most likely want to know the English-language channel/network for each game. And those people searching for the French-language channel/network for each game would most likely instead look on the corresponding article on the French Wikipedia. So I will ask it again: should we list the TVA channel for each game here? As of this writing, TVA has only been included in the OTT-MTL series. Zzyzx11 (talk) 18:06, 12 April 2015 (UTC)
 * I quite disagree with that statement that it shouldn't be included just because this is the English version of the article. We are talking about official channels on what they will be broadcast, whether it's in China, Bulgaria, Algeria, France, or whether it is English, French, Portuguese, Japanese, etc. If this were the case, the many articles that have tables (mostly TV shows) that indicate where and how it is broadcast wouldn't be included. Callmemirela  ( talk ) 19:07, 12 April 2015 (UTC)

I agree. All channels should be listed, whether they are English, French, or any other language. This is done in order to inform people of the situation.


 * I have no issue with the North American French broadcasters being listed as there are some bilingual Canadians who could use the information, but to go and find the information for every other language is a waste of time for the English version of the project. Deadman137 (talk) 20:26, 13 April 2015 (UTC)

Perhaps the best way to proceed is by looking at the league's franchises. Being that teams are located in both Canada and America, then list the television stations the games are airing on in both countries only.

Second round schedule
The schedule for the next round is out. If Tampa Bay advances Game 7 of the Rangers/Capitals series will be on May 13, if the Red Wings advance the game would move up one day to May 12. The only other game that could be affected would be Game 3 in Ducks/Flames series, a Lightning win would mean that game would be played on May 5, a Red Wings win would move the game to May 6. All other game dates are confirmed. Deadman137 (talk) 18:21, 28 April 2015 (UTC)

on-ice officials
Would there be any objection to the names of each game's referee and linesmen being added? There are articles on some of them so I think they should be added to support notability. NorthernThunder (talk) 02:45, 9 May 2015 (UTC)
 * See Talk:2007 Stanley Cup playoffs/Archive 1 on why there were originally removed from the NHLPlayoffs box score template. Also note that not all referees and linesmen currently have an article. Zzyzx11 (talk) 03:28, 9 May 2015 (UTC)

Two possible notes for inclusion
Here are two additional things that we could add to the main space. This was the first time in league history that no Canadian made it to the Stanley Cup Final when five teams from there made the playoffs in the same year. Also this is the sixth year in a row that a team from the state of California has made it to the Conference Final. We obviously don't have to add these but there could be some readers who may want to know these facts. Deadman137 (talk) 02:58, 13 May 2015 (UTC)

Summary of playoff format
It would be appreciated by those less familiar with the sport to add a brief summary of the playoff format, similar to the style of 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs. How are seeds matched, what the numbers in the bracket mean, how many rounds per bracket, etc. It looks like the seeding style changed since 2013, so it may or may not be appropriate to copy-paste the 2013 content linked above. Mamyles (talk) 03:34, 19 May 2015 (UTC)
 * I have started something. Thoughts about what to improve? Zzyzx11 (talk) 04:17, 19 May 2015 (UTC)
 * I've made a few minor formatting adjustments, and added some wikilinks to clarify the more technical terms. This definitely makes the article easier to understand - thank you for the improvements! (and again, sorry for the earlier mix-up...) Mamyles (talk) 05:48, 19 May 2015 (UTC)

Legend
Why do we have this legend at the bottom of the bracket chart? I don't understand why there is this need to try and have the bracket chart explain every single conceivable thing about the tournament. If anyone wants to know what "A1" means, spending about 30 seconds reading the article will make it abundantly clear. It almost insults the intelligence of the reader. MrArticleOne (talk) 04:14, 30 May 2015 (UTC)
 * See the "Summary of playoff format" discussion section directly above -- basically a casual editor/viewer unfamiliar with the uniqueness of the NHL bracket seeding asked for that. This bracket template and legend also appears on the 2014–15 NHL season article, where there is very little explanation elsewhere on that page of the playoff format. I do not necessarily assume that a casual reader/editor unfamiliar with the NHL has 30 seconds. Zzyzx11 (talk) 04:44, 30 May 2015 (UTC)
 * Do you have anything else to add here on this issue? Zzyzx11 (talk) 05:07, 30 May 2015 (UTC)
 * I agree with Zzyzx11: The bracket chart is meaningless to casual viewers unless some prose and/or legend is provided. This article should be understandable alone, without needing to dive deep into a handful of other articles on (rather complicated) playoff format procedures. Mamyles (talk) 18:12, 30 May 2015 (UTC)
 * No deep dive is necessary. Comparison of the list that immediately precedes the graphic shows the seedings. MrArticleOne (talk) 20:55, 31 May 2015 (UTC)

I think the legend is fine. It's unobtrusive and provides necessary information to a casual reader. While, on the one hand, the article shouldn't be written for people who 'know nothing', on the other hand, it's a good thing to provide additional information to make the article more readable. GLG GLG (talk) 05:27, 30 May 2015 (UTC)

Flag icons
IPs have recently attempted to insert flag icons on the player statistics tables. This has been opposed in the past. The last major discussion is at Talk:2012 Stanley Cup playoffs, and prior to that Talk:2011 Stanley Cup playoffs. The rationale for this opposition is regarding Manual of Style/Icons, and WP:SPORTFLAG where it says flag icons "should only indicate the sportsperson's national squad/team or representative nationality" or "should clearly indicate that they correspond to representative nationality". NHL players in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, however, represent the NHL team whose logo and jersey they wear, not the country or nationality where they come from. Zzyzx11 (talk) 10:32, 4 June 2015 (UTC)
 * I don't see any reason a player's nationality is notable for the purpose of a pro league championship. It would be different if it were Olympics, etc.  But I don't think it needs to be there here. GLG GLG (talk) 14:09, 4 June 2015 (UTC)

Most games in a playoff year.
The Lightning tied the 1987 Flyers & the 2004 Flames, for most games played in a playoff year, with 26. GoodDay (talk) 10:00, 16 June 2015 (UTC)
 * You are forgetting the 2014 Kings did as well. This record has been added to the list of nhl team records on wiki. Conyo14 (talk) 03:24, 25 June 2015 (UTC)

TV commentators
The following is what I compiled last year in my sandbox, should anyone find this relevant and later add to the page (sorry, I did not do TVA Sports/French-CA TV). Zzyzx11 (talk) 01:26, 28 March 2016 (UTC)


 * Conference Quarterfinals
 * ''Sportsnet and NBC Sports frequently did simulcasts of each others broadcasts. Specifically, Sportsnet used NBC's feed of WAS-NYI, STL-MIN and NSH-CHI. NBC then primarily used Sportsnet's feed of the three series with Canadian teams, MTL-OTT, ANA-WPG, and VAN-CGY, with the exception of the two following cases: Chris Cuthbert and Bret Hedican did one game in each of the five Canadian teams' arenas, while John Forslund andAndy Brickley did Game 4 of MTL@OTT.

Sources:
 * http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/stanley-cup-playoffs-broadcast-schedule/
 * http://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/2015/04/13/nbc-sports-groups-coverage-of-2015-stanley-cup-playoffs-begins-wednesday-night-with-four-games/
 * http://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/2015/04/17/days-3-5-nbc-sports-groups-nhl-playoff-pass-2/
 * http://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/2015/04/20/day-6-nbc-sports-groups-nhl-playoff-pass-2/
 * http://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/2015/04/23/day-9-nbc-sports-groups-nhl-playoff-pass-2/
 * http://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/2015/04/24/days-10-12-nbc-sports-groups-nhl-playoff-pass/
 * http://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/2015/04/27/game-7-alex-ovechkin-and-washington-capitals-host-john-tavares-and-new-york-islanders-in-elimination-game-tonight-at-730-p-m-et-on-nbcsn/
 * http://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/2015/04/28/worlds-elite-hockey-players-on-nbcsn-this-week-red-wings-lightning-game-7-ipc-paralympic-sled-hockey-and-iihf-world-hockey-championships/

Sources:
 * Conference Semifinals
 * http://www.sportsnet.ca/sportsnet-and-hockey-night-in-canada-announce-2015-stanley-cup-playoffs-second-round-broadcast-schedule/
 * http://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/2015/04/29/game-7-lightning-host-red-wings-tonight-at-730-p-m-et-on-nbcsn-second-round-schedule-and-commentators-announced/
 * http://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/2015/05/05/day-21-nhl-playoff-pass-wild-host-blackhawks-on-nbcsn-ducks-visit-flames-on-usa-network-in-western-conference-game-3-doubleheader-tonight/
 * http://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/2015/05/06/day-22-capitals-host-rangers-on-nbcsn-lightning-host-canadiens-on-usa-network-in-eastern-conference-doubleheader-tonight/


 * MTL-TB
 * SN : Hughson, Craig Simpson, Healy, Oake
 * NBC
 * 1-2, 4-5 : Albert, Micheletti
 * 3 : Cuthbert, Micheletti
 * 6 : Albert, Micheletti, McGuire


 * NYR-WAS
 * SN : Randorf, Galley, Campbell-Pascall
 * NBC
 * 1,3-5 : Forslund, McGuire
 * 2 : Albert, Micheletti, McGuire
 * 6-7 : Emrick, Olczyk, McGuire


 * CHI-MIN
 * SN : Cole, Millen, Amber
 * NBC
 * 1 : Emrick, McGuire
 * 2, 4 : Emrick, Olczyk, McGuire
 * 3 : Albert, Olczyk, McGuire


 * ANA-CGY
 * SN : Romanuk, Johnson, Christine Simpson
 * NBC
 * 1-5 : Strader, Engblom
 * Conference finals and Finals
 * See the existing pages List of Stanley Cup Eastern Conference Finals broadcasters, List of Stanley Cup Western Conference Finals broadcasters, List of Stanley Cup Finals broadcasters

Zzyzx11 (talk) 01:26, 28 March 2016 (UTC)