How NHL Playoff Seeding Works Explainer
The NHL playoff field has eight teams from each conference. The top three in each division claim six places, and the next two best conference records receive the wild-card berths regardless of division.
The two division winners are seeded first and second by points and tiebreakers. The better division winner faces the lower wild card; the other division winner faces the higher wild card. Second and third within each division meet in the other series.
Both wild cards can land on the same division’s side. Conference rank alone therefore does not identify an opponent; division placement, wild-card assignment, and standings tiebreakers all matter.
The opening assignments create the bracket path rather than a complete reseed after every round. Winners advance through their side to the conference final, and home ice generally follows the better applicable regular-season record.
The top three in each division take six conference spots.
The next two records become wild cards.
Division winners face the wild cards.
Second and third place within each division play each other.
Teams advance along the route created by the opening assignments.
The field is not fully reseeded after every round.
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