How Does the 2021 NHL Playoffs Work?
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The NHL playoffs are underway and it’s time to start learning about how the 2021 playoffs work. We’ll go over the basics of the playoffs, including the seeding and the format, so that you can be prepared for the action.
What is the Format?
The NHL playoffs are a best-of-seven elimination tournament among 16 teams that have qualified for the playoffs. The three division winners in each conference (the team with the best regular-season record in each division) earn automatic berths into the quarterfinals. The remaining two spots in each conference are wild cards, which go to the next two best teams in the conference standings regardless of division.
In the first two rounds of the playoffs, the higher-seeded team in each series will host games one, two, five and seven (if necessary), while the lower-seeded team will host games three and four. In the Stanley Cup Final, home-ice advantage goes to the team with the better regular-season record.
The playoff bracket is reseeded after every round so that the lowest remaining seed plays the highest remaining seed in each round.
How Many Teams Will Make it to the Playoffs?
The 2021 NHL playoffs will feature 16 teams, eight from each conference. The format will be the same as the 2020 playoffs, with the top four teams in each conference playing in a round-robin tournament to determine seeding for the first round of the playoffs. The remaining teams will play best-of-5 series in the first round.
What is the Schedule?
The 2021 NHL playoffs are scheduled to begin on May 15, 2021, and will conclude no later than July 15, 2021. Four rounds of best-of-seven series will be played to determine the 16 teams that will advance to the Stanley Cup Final.
How Will the Playoffs be Broadcasted?
This year’s NHL playoffs will be broadcast on both NBC and NHL Network in the United States, and on CBC and Sportsnet in Canada.
