Understanding the NHL Playoff Format: Rules and Changes Explained

The debate over the NHL’s division-focused playoff format continues, even as it marks over a decade since its return. This system has seen notable rivalries emerge, such as the fierce competition between Sidney Crosby’s Pittsburgh Penguins and Alex Ovechkin’s Washington Capitals, who clashed in the second round three consecutive years from 2016 to 2018, with the series winner ultimately hoisting the Cup. More recently, the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings have met in the first round for four straight seasons from 2022 to 2025, showcasing the intensity of matchups born from this format.

This year, all eyes are on the competitive Central Division, where the Colorado Avalanche claim the top seed in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild have been on a collision course for the playoffs, ensuring that one of the league’s top teams will be eliminated early in the postseason. Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger expressed the sentiment shared by many players: “If you could pick, obviously you’d rather not do that. But it’s kind of the hand you’re dealt and it hopefully makes it all the more fun.”

The playoff structure has evolved since the league’s realignment in the 2013-14 season, reverting to a format reminiscent of the Patrick, Adams, Norris, and Smythe divisions from the 1980s and early ‘90s. Exceptions were made in 2020 and 2021 to accommodate the pandemic and border restrictions, but now the top teams from each conference face off against the second wild card team, while division winners battle against the first wild card. The result is a scenario where only one of the Avalanche, Stars, or Wild can progress to the Western Conference final, while teams like the Buffalo Sabres, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Montreal Canadiens face a challenging path through the Atlantic Division.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has staunchly defended the playoff format, arguing that it yields the most exciting first round in sports and fosters competitive races as the regular season concludes. “We had matchups decided last year the last day of the season,” Bettman noted. “If you’re looking for stories, if you’re looking for intrigue, if you’re looking to be entertained, this format works for you.” However, critics argue that this setup often leads to the early elimination of top regular-season teams before potential blockbuster conference championship matchups.

Another significant change this year stems from the new collective bargaining agreement, which introduces a playoff salary cap for the first time. Previously, the cap was lifted entirely during the playoffs, allowing teams to utilize their full roster without financial restrictions. This year, teams must ensure that their lineup of 18 skaters and two goalies complies with the cap, which is set at $95.5 million. Notably, players on the roster who are not active for a game do not count against the cap, allowing teams some flexibility. To assist in navigating these new rules, the league has implemented a playoff cap calculator in its front office app, requiring teams to submit their game rosters to NHL Central Registry before puck drop to confirm compliance with the salary limit.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.