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
NHL players do not get paid during the playoffs.
The 2011 NHL playoffs began on April 13.
NBC sports, formerly Versus, carries the NHL Playoffs. Chanel 603
april14,2010
16
Pittsburgh Penguins
1920
The Canadiens won the cup. Other than that, what about the '78 playoffs???
Which season? I cannot give an answer unless you specify a specific year.
Yes the NHL playoffs are fair. The top 8 teams in each conference make it to the playoffs. It doesn't matter what team your own, it just matters if you made the top 8 teams. The playoffs are completely fair.
2013 NHL Stanley Cup:The Chicago Blackhawks won the 2013 Stanley Cup in 6 games against the Boston Bruins.The 2014 NHL playoffs have not yet started.
As of the 2011/2012 NHL season no team has gone 16-0 in the playoffs.