Crosby wants playoff format that maintains 'integrity' of postseason

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Sidney Crosby does not want to see the NHL resort to anything overly unorthodox when it comes to the postseason.

"The safety of players is No. 1, and if you're able to establish that, then you want to keep the integrity of what the playoffs have been for a long, long time," he told TSN's Darren Dreger.

Asked to choose between an NCAA-style tournament or the reported 24-team format, the Pittsburgh Penguins captain said he'd prefer the latter - as long as the postseason remains a grueling grind.

"It's difficult to win the Stanley Cup and you want to win it the right way, and that's four (best-of-seven) series," he said. "That's how we know it. With a time like this, we're all open to ideas and formats and things like that, but you hope that we can keep that."

The NHL was apparently willing in April to condense the playoffs in order to finish the regular season, but the league is now reportedly focusing on proceeding to the postseason immediately if hockey is able to return. Crosby said in March he'd be fine going straight into playoff action.

Crosby's Penguins were on pace to meet the state-rival Philadelphia Flyers in the opening round of a 16-team postseason when the league suspended the campaign.