Format And Structure

The Stanley Cup Playoffs: 16 Teams, One Champion

Format and Structure

The Stanley Cup Playoffs is a single-elimination tournament that determines the National Hockey League (NHL) champion. Sixteen teams qualify for the playoffs, based on their regular-season records. The format of the playoffs is a set bracket that is largely division-based. The top three teams from each division automatically qualify for the playoffs, while the remaining two teams from each division qualify as wild cards. The first two rounds of the playoffs are played within each division, with the winners of each division advancing to the conference finals. The two conference winners then face off in the Stanley Cup Final.

Division Breakdown

The NHL is divided into four divisions: the Metropolitan, Atlantic, Central, and Pacific. The top three teams from each division qualify for the playoffs automatically. The remaining two teams from each division qualify as wild cards. The wild card teams are determined by their regular-season records, with the two teams with the highest point totals qualifying for the playoffs.

Playoff Schedule

The Stanley Cup Playoffs begin in mid-April and typically last until mid-June. The first two rounds of the playoffs are played within each division, with the winners of each division advancing to the conference finals. The conference finals are played between the winners of the two divisions in each conference, with the winners of the conference finals advancing to the Stanley Cup Final. The Stanley Cup Final is a best-of-seven series, with the team that wins four games first being crowned the Stanley Cup champion.