How many NHL teams are in the playoffs?

The official home of the National Hockey League Playoff Page including playoff news, bracket, and video. read more

Here are the first-round playoff matchups, based on today's standings. The top three teams in each division earn berths in the playoffs. The next two teams in terms of total points in the conference, regardless of division, earn the wild-card spots. This provides a total of eight teams from each conference. read more

In 1924 the NHL playoffs expanded from two to three teams (with the top team getting a bye to the two-game total goal NHL finals), but because the first-place Hamilton Tigers refused to play under this format, the second and third place teams played for the NHL championship in a two-game total goals affair. read more

As has been the case since 1979-80, 16 teams will qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The format now is a set bracket that is largely division-based with wild cards. The top three teams in each division will make up the first 12 teams in the playoffs. read more