How NHL playoffs work?

Answer 1

The NHL is divided into 2 conferences and then 3 divisions per conference. The teams with the most points in each division are seeded 1-3 and the next highest teams are seeded 4-8 for each conference. 16 teams make the playoffs and each round consists of a best of 7 series.

Round 1 (quarterfinals): 16 teams (8 per conference). 1vs8, 2vs7, 3vs6, 4vs5. Seeds 1-4 have home ice advantage*.

Round 2 (semifinals): 8 teams (4 per conference). After the first round, the teams are re-seeded so that the highest ranking team plays the lowest ranking team. i.e. If seeds 1, 2, 5, 6 won in round one, then the matchups would be 1vs6, and 2vs5, with the higher seeds having home ice advantage.

Round 3 (conference finals): 4 teams. Same as round 2. Western winner is awarded the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl and the Eastern winner is awarded the Prince of Wales Trophy.

Round 4 (Stanley Cup finals): 2 teams. The winners from each conference play each other for the Stanley Cup, the oldest trophy in pro sports history. The team with the better regular season has home ice advantage.

*home ice advantage means:

Game 1: better team plays at home

Game 2: better team plays at home

Game 3: better team plays away

Game 4: better team plays away

Game 5: better team plays at home

Game 6: better team plays away

Game 7: better team plays at home