There are some new tweaks with the addition of wild card teams. Under the new format, the top three teams in each of the four divisions automatically qualify for the post-season, while the remaining two playoff spots per conference are given to the teams with the most remaining points.
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. The NHL didn’t just realign its divisions this season; the league came up with an entirely new playoff format. This year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs still includes 16 teams, eight per conference. But there are some new tweaks with the addition of wild card teams. Under the new format, the top three teams in each of the four divisions automatically qualify for the post-season, while the remaining two playoff spots per conference are given to the teams with the most remaining points. 1 The second and third place teams in each division are the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds in their divisional playoff. 2  They will go head-to-head in the first round. 3  Here's where it gets tricky: The two wild card teams will take the No. 4 seeds. 4  They will each play a No. 1 seed in the first round. How teams qualify. 1  There are still 16 overall teams in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, eight from the East and eight from the West. 2  The top three teams in each division automatically qualify for the postseason. 3  The 4 remaining teams will qualify via wild card spots: two in the East, two in the West. Gone is the simple format that sees the top eight teams in each conference gain Stanley Cup playoff spots. Now, there are 16 teams on one side, 14 on the other and 16 playoff spots to divvy up. This is how the teams would be seeded in their new divisions based on last year's performance. Because they'll play out-of-conference games this season, comparisons to last season are fairly inapplicable The NHL has a new playoff format for the 2013-14 season. But there are some new tweaks with the addition of wild card teams. Under the new format, the top three teams in each of the four divisions automatically qualify for the post-season, while the remaining two playoff spots per conference are given to the teams with the most remaining points. 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*. 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. 1 The first place team in each division gets the No. 1 seed in their divisional playoff. 2  The second and third place teams in each division are the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds in their divisional playoff. 3  They will go head-to-head in the first round. 4  Here's where it gets tricky: The two wild card teams will take the No. 4 seeds. How teams qualify. 1  There are still 16 overall teams in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, eight from the East and eight from the West. 2  The top three teams in each division automatically qualify for the postseason. 3  The 4 remaining teams will qualify via wild card spots: two in the East, two in the West. Under the NHL's realignment for the 2013-14 season, Jonathan Toews, far left, and the Blackhawks will play in the same division as Andrew Ladd, second from left, and the Jets. Same goes for Henrik Zetterberg, second from right, and the Red Wings and goalie Carey Price, far right, and the Canadiens. Now, there are 16 teams on one side, 14 on the other and 16 playoff spots to divvy up. This is how the teams would be seeded in their new divisions based on last year's performance. In the Stanley Cup Finals, home ice advantage is determined solely by points (using wins as a tiebreak.) Long answer: The NHL's clubs were re-aligned into two conferences each consisting of three divisions. The number of teams qualifying for the Stanley Cup Playoffs remained unchanged at 16. Best Answer: Short answer: Yes, they reseed so that the highest seed plays the lowest seed. Up to and including the Conference Finals, home ice advantage goes to the higher seed regardless of points. For the first time in 20 years, the NHL's playoff format is primarily based on divisions, not conferences. No more 1 vs. 8, 2 vs. 7, etc. Change is hard, and sure, the new way is a little bit complicated. How teams qualify. 1  There are still 16 overall teams in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, eight from the East and eight from the West. 2  The top three teams in each division automatically qualify for the postseason. 3  The 4 remaining teams will qualify via wild card spots: two in the East, two in the West.
http://www.answers.com/Q/How_do_NHL_playoffs_work http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/how-does-the-new-nhl-playoff-format-work/ http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2014/3/25/5546806/nhl-playoffs-format-2014-system-bracket-stanley-cup http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/the-explainer-new-nhl-playoff-seeding-format-1.1871216 http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/how-does-the-new-nhl-playoff-format-work/ http://www.answers.com/Q/How_do_NHL_playoffs_work http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2014/3/25/5546806/nhl-playoffs-format-2014-system-bracket-stanley-cup http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/the-explainer-new-nhl-playoff-seeding-format-1.1871216 https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070409143341AAeaBH9 http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2014/3/25/5546806/nhl-playoffs-format-2014-system-bracket-stanley-cup
how do the nhl playoff matchups work