How the Stanley Cup Playoffs Work
How the Stanley Cup Playoffs work: 16 of 32 teams qualify, the top three in each division plus two wild cards per conference. The first round pairs 2nd v 3rd in each division and the division winners with the wild cards, and four best-of-seven rounds decide the Stanley Cup with no reseeding.
Who Qualifies
The 32 teams play 84 games (from 2026-27) in four divisions of eight. Standings use points: two for a win, one for an overtime or shootout loss. The top three in each division qualify, and the two best remaining teams in each conference by points are the wild cards.
How the Bracket Is Set
In each division, 2nd plays 3rd. The division winner with more points plays the second wild card, the other division winner the first wild card. The two series winners from each division meet in the second round, the winners of those meet in the conference final, and the conference champions play for the Stanley Cup. There is no reseeding.
The Four Rounds
Home Ice and Overtime
The higher seed has home ice in the first two rounds; in the conference final and the Stanley Cup Final it goes to the team with more regular-season points. Games 1, 2, 5 and 7 are at the home-ice team. Playoff overtime is 20-minute, five-on-five sudden-death periods; there are no shootouts.
Tiebreakers
- Points percentage (fewer games played)
- Regulation wins
- Regulation plus overtime wins
- Total wins (including shootouts)
- Points in games between the tied teams
- Goal differential
- Goals scored
Recent Stanley Cup Finals
| Year | Champion | Opponent | Series | Conn Smythe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Carolina Hurricanes | Vegas Golden Knights | 4-2 | Jordan Staal |
| 2025 | Florida Panthers | Edmonton Oilers | 4-2 | Sam Bennett |
| 2024 | Florida Panthers | Edmonton Oilers | 4-3 | Connor McDavid |
| 2023 | Vegas Golden Knights | Florida Panthers | 4-1 | Jonathan Marchessault |
| 2022 | Colorado Avalanche | Tampa Bay Lightning | 4-2 | Cale Makar |
| 2021 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Montreal Canadiens | 4-1 | Andrei Vasilevskiy |
| 2020 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Dallas Stars | 4-2 | Victor Hedman |
| 2019 | St. Louis Blues | Boston Bruins | 4-3 | Ryan O'Reilly |
| 2018 | Washington Capitals | Vegas Golden Knights | 4-1 | Alex Ovechkin |
| 2017 | Pittsburgh Penguins | Nashville Predators | 4-2 | Sidney Crosby |
| 2016 | Pittsburgh Penguins | San Jose Sharks | 4-2 | Sidney Crosby |
That is the full NHL playoff format: 16 teams, the top three per division plus two wild cards per conference, division brackets, four best-of-seven rounds and no reseeding. See it live on the bracket and the playoff picture, or pick your own with the predictor.
NHL playoff format FAQ
How many teams make the NHL playoffs?
16: the top three teams in each of the four divisions and two wild cards in each conference, the best two remaining teams by points.
How is the first round set?
In each division 2nd plays 3rd. The conference’s division winner with more points plays the second wild card; the other division winner plays the first wild card.
Does the NHL reseed the playoffs?
No. The bracket is fixed through the conference final: the winners of the two series in each division meet in the second round.
Who gets home ice?
The higher seed in the first two rounds and the team with more regular-season points in the conference final and Stanley Cup Final, hosting Games 1, 2, 5 and 7.
Is there a shootout in the playoffs?
No. Tied playoff games go to 20-minute, five-on-five sudden-death overtime periods until someone scores.
How are ties in the NHL standings broken?
Points percentage first, then regulation wins, regulation plus overtime wins, total wins, points in head-to-head games, and goal differential.
How many games are in the NHL regular season?
84 per team from 2026-27, up from 82, with two more division games.