The 2024 NHL Playoffs: Everything You Need to Know

The Road to the Stanley Cup

The Stanley Cup playoffs are the culmination of the NHL season, and they are one of the most exciting events in all of sports. The playoffs are a single-elimination tournament, and the 16 teams that qualify for the playoffs will compete for the chance to win the Stanley Cup.

How the Playoffs Work

The playoffs are divided into four rounds: the first round, the second round, the conference finals, and the Stanley Cup Final. In the first round, the 16 teams that qualify for the playoffs are seeded 1-16 based on their regular season records. The top eight teams receive a bye to the second round, while the remaining eight teams play in a best-of-seven series to determine who will advance to the second round. In the second round, the eight teams that advanced from the first round are re-seeded 1-8 based on their records in the first round. The top four teams receive a bye to the conference finals, while the remaining four teams play in a best-of-seven series to determine who will advance to the conference finals. In the conference finals, the four teams that advanced from the second round are re-seeded 1-4 based on their records in the second round. The top two teams from each conference advance to the Stanley Cup Final. The Stanley Cup Final is a best-of-seven series between the two teams that advanced from the conference finals. The team that wins the Stanley Cup Final is crowned the NHL champion.

The History of the Stanley Cup

The Stanley Cup is the oldest professional sports trophy in North America. It was first awarded in 1893 to the Montreal Hockey Club, and it has been awarded to the NHL champion every year since 1926. The Stanley Cup is one of the most prestigious trophies in all of sports, and it is a symbol of excellence in hockey.