Understanding the 2023 NHL Playoff Format

Every team now knows that it does not matter what you do in the regular season as long as you make the playoffs. The intensity of the regular season has shifted, with teams learning that coasting through the season can be just as beneficial as playing hard to win a division or conference.

The NHL Playoff Format for 2023

This year, the NHL playoff format has seen a slight adjustment from previous years. Let's break it down step by step to ensure everyone understands the structure of the playoffs.

Conference Breakdown

The NHL is divided into two conferences: the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. Each conference is further divided into two divisions: the Metropolitan Division and the Atlantic Division for the Eastern Conference, and the Central Division and the Pacific Division for the Western Conference. This layout helps determine the playoff standings and ensures fair competition.

Regular Season Standings

Teams earn points during the regular season based on their performance. The top three teams in each division qualify for the playoffs immediately, while the next two teams with the most points are awarded as wild card spots. This system ensures that the most competitive teams advance to the playoffs.

Playoff Rounds

Round 1 (First Round): Divisional Playoffs
In the first round, the top seed in each division plays the wild card team. The other two divisional winners face each other in the second round. This determines the winners of the divisions, who then advance to the Conference Finals.

Round 2 (Conference Semifinals): Divisional Winners vs. Divisional Winners
In the second round, the two remaining divisional winners from each conference play each other. This round determines the conference semifinalists, who proceed to the Conference Finals.

Round 3 (Conference Finals): Conference Champions
In the conference finals, the two winners from the semifinals face each other. This determines which team advances to the Stanley Cup Finals from each conference.

Round 4 (Stanley Cup Finals): Conference Champions Matchup
The final round of the playoffs sees the champions of each conference face off in a best-of-seven series to determine the Stanley Cup winner.

Points and Wild Card Qualification

The wild card teams are determined by the points they have accrued during the regular season. For example, if the top three teams in the Metropolitan Division are 70 points, 69 points, and 68 points, respectively, and the fourth and fifth-place teams are 67 points, both of the wild card spots would likely come from the top division, assuming the points directly correlate with the standings.

Summary of the 2023 NHL Playoff Structure

1. NHL - 2. East/West - 4. Metropolitan/Atlantic, Central/Pacific - 8: 8 Teams per Conference. - Round 1: Best of 7 Game Series for each conference to determine the division winners. - Round 2: Divisional winners face off, determining the conference semifinalists. - Round 3: Conference Finals to determine the conference champions. - Round 4: Stanley Cup Finals to crown the champion.

The playoff structure is designed to provide exciting and competitive series, ensuring that the best teams are showcased in the most critical matches. As the NHL continues to evolve, the playoff format may change to better suit the needs of the league and the fans.