The Evolution of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs

The NHL champion has been awarded the Stanley Cup from 1926-27. It is known as the “Most sought after trophy" of the sports world- for the league champion, the NHL. Most think that the Cup is the most difficult trophy to attain in American sports given that the road to winning it is the most gruelling. Over the ages, playoff formats have been changing according to competitive balance and league expansions.


Sixteen teams qualify for the postseason eight from each conference. The top three teams in each division (Atlantic, Metropolitan, Central, Pacific) secure automatic bids, while two wild-card spots per conference go to the next highest point earners.
The playoffs consist of four best-of-seven series rounds. Higher-seeded teams hold home-ice advantage, with games following a 2-2-1-1-1 format. The first round sees division winners face wild-card teams, while second- and third-place division teams battle each other. Winners advance through the second round, conference finals, and ultimately the Stanley Cup Final.

If teams tie in points, seeding is decided by: points percentage, regulation wins, regulation/overtime wins, total wins, head-to-head points, goal differential, and goals scored, in that order.


The NHL has frequently adjusted its playoff structure. In 1938, it shifted from two divisions to a single-league format. The "Original Six" era (1942-1967) allowed only four teams to qualify. Expansion in 1967 reintroduced divisions, with the top four from each advancing.
The 1974 realignment created the Wales and Campbell Conferences, adding preliminary rounds. By 1979, 16 teams made the playoffs. The 1993 switch to conference-based seeding and the 1998 divisional realignment further refined the process.
The format now in use since 2013-14 emphasizes divisional match-ups yet has not been without criticisms for uneven rewarding. For instance, the 2023-24 Winnipeg Jets (110 points) faced the division seeding's "opponent from Hell" in Colorado (107 points).

Overtime has been a playoff staple since 1921, with sudden-death periods creating unforgettable moments. Technology has also shaped the game video replay was introduced in 1991, and the coach’s challenge arrived in 2015. Recent expansions to replay review aim to reduce officiating errors.
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While the current format fosters rivalries, debates continue over fairness. As the NHL grows, further changes may arise to ensure the best teams are properly rewarded. One thing remains certain the Stanley Cup playoffs will always deliver high-stakes drama.

The NHL playoffs are quite different. Sixteen teams now operate over four rounds. Seeding favors divisions. Overtime is sudden death. A replay will be utilized for some decisions. Critics cry foul on fairness.