Is the First Round of the NHL Playoffs the Best of 5?
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The first round of the NHL playoffs is upon us, and fans are wondering if the best of 5 format is the best way to determine a winner. We take a look at the pros and cons of the best of 5 format to see if it’s really the best way to crown a Stanley Cup champion.
Introduction
In the Stanley Cup playoffs, 16 teams compete for the championship each spring. The playoffs are a best-of-seven series, meaning the first team to win four games moves on to the next round.
What is the NHL?
The NHL, or National Hockey League, is a professional ice hockey league in North America. It is composed of 30 teams: 23 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The Stanley Cup, which is the most coveted prize in all of hockey, is awarded to the playoff champion at the end of each season.
The playoffs are a single-elimination tournament that begins in April and ends in June, with the Stanley Cup being awarded to the champion. The first round of the playoffs is a best-of-five series, meaning that the first team to win three games will advance to the next round.
What is the NHL Playoffs?
The NHL playoffs are a best-of-seven elimination tournament among 16 teams that have qualified for the postseason by virtue of their regular-season records. The Stanley Cup, the coveted championship trophy of the National Hockey League, is awarded to the playoff champion.
In order for a team to win the Stanley Cup, they must first win four rounds of the playoffs. The first three rounds are a best-of-seven series. The final round, which is the Stanley Cup Finals, is a best-of-seven series as well.
What is the First Round of the NHL Playoffs?
The first round of the NHL playoffs is a best-of-five series played between the two wild card teams in each conference. The higher-seeded team will host games one, two, and five (if necessary), while the lower-seeded team will host games three and four (if necessary).
If the higher-seeded team wins the first round series, they will advance to the conference semifinals and face either the first or second seed in their conference. If the lower-seeded team wins the first round series, they will advance to the conference semifinals and face either the third or fourth seed in their conference.
Is the First Round of the NHL Playoffs the Best of 5?
No, the first round of the NHL playoffs is not the best of 5. The first round is a best of 7 series.
Conclusion
So, while NHL fans wait for the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs to begin, they can at least take solace in knowing that the first round will indeed be the best of 5. That said, anything can happen once the puck drops, so be sure to tune in and enjoy the ride!