2024 NHL Playoffs: Playoff Format and Tie-Breaking Procedure
Eastern vs. Western Conference
The sixteen teams that have qualified for the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs have been seeded one through eight in each conference based on their regular season records. The top three teams in each division will automatically qualify for the playoffs, along with two wild card teams from each conference.
First Round
The first round of the playoffs will be a best-of-seven series between the top four seeds in each conference and the two wild card teams. The top seed in each conference will play the eighth seed, the second seed will play the seventh seed, and so on.
Second Round
The winners of the first round will advance to the second round, which will be a best-of-seven series between the four remaining teams in each conference. The top seed in each conference will play the lowest remaining seed, and the second seed will play the third remaining seed.
Conference Finals
The winners of the second round will advance to the conference finals, which will be a best-of-seven series between the two remaining teams in each conference. The top seed in each conference will play the lowest remaining seed.
Stanley Cup Final
The winners of the conference finals will advance to the Stanley Cup Final, which will be a best-of-seven series to determine the champion of the NHL.
Tie-Breaking Procedure
If two or more teams finish the regular season with the same number of points, the following tie-breaking procedure will be used to determine their seeding:
1.Head-to-head record
2.Regulation wins
3.Goal differential
4.Goals scored
5.Penalty minutes
2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket
The 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs bracket will be released following the conclusion of the regular season.
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