Introduction
The Stanley Cup playoffs are the highlight of the NHL season, with the best teams from the Eastern and Western conferences facing off for the chance to hoist the coveted Stanley Cup. The playoffs are divided into four rounds, each consisting of a best-of-seven series. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the Stanley Cup bracket and how it works.
Round 1: The First Round
The first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs is also known as the Conference Quarterfinals. The eight teams from each conference are seeded based on their regular-season performance, with the top seed facing the eighth seed, the second seed facing the seventh seed, and so on.
Each series is played in a 2-2-1-1-1 format, with the higher seed hosting games 1, 2, 5, and 7. The first team to win four games advances to the second round.
Round 2: The Conference Semifinals
The second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs is also known as the Conference Semifinals. The four teams that advance from the first round are re-seeded based on their regular-season performance, with the highest remaining seed facing the lowest remaining seed and the other two teams facing off.
Each series is played in the same 2-2-1-1-1 format as the first round, with the higher seed hosting games 1, 2, 5, and 7. The first team to win four games advances to the Conference Finals.
Round 3: The Conference Finals
The third round of the Stanley Cup playoffs is also known as the Conference Finals. The two remaining teams from each conference face off in a best-of-seven series, with the winner advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Each series is played in the same 2-2-1-1-1 format as the first two rounds, with the higher seed hosting games 1, 2, 5, and 7. The first team to win four games advances to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Round 4: The Stanley Cup Finals
The fourth and final round of the Stanley Cup playoffs is the Stanley Cup Finals. The winner of the Eastern Conference faces the winner of the Western Conference in a best-of-seven series, with the first team to win four games being crowned the Stanley Cup champion.
Each series is played in the same 2-2-1-1-1 format as the first three rounds, with the higher seed hosting games 1, 2, 5, and 7. The Stanley Cup Finals are typically held in late May or early June.
Conclusion
The Stanley Cup playoffs are an exciting time for hockey fans, and the Stanley Cup bracket is a key part of the experience. From the first round to the Stanley Cup Finals, each series is a battle for supremacy, with the ultimate prize being the chance to raise the Stanley Cup.
