NHL Playoff Structure
The NHL playoffs represent the culmination of the regular season, where the top teams compete for the Stanley Cup.
Understanding the playoff structure is crucial for fans and bettors alike.
16 Teams Compete in the Playoffs
The NHL playoffs feature sixteen teams, with eight from each conference (Eastern and Western).
This format ensures a balanced representation across the league.
Seeding Explained
Teams are seeded based on their regular season record and division standings. The top three teams from each division automatically qualify for the playoffs, along with two wildcard teams from each conference.
Wildcard Teams
Wildcard teams play a crucial role in the NHL playoffs, adding an element of unpredictability and excitement to the postseason.
Definition and Eligibility
Wildcard teams are the two clubs in each conference with the highest point totals among non-division winners.
These teams earn the right to compete in the Stanley Cup playoffs regardless of their divisional ranking.
History of the Wildcard System
The NHL introduced the wildcard system in the 2013-14 season as part of a realignment that created two divisions in each conference.
This change aimed to increase competitiveness and maintain geographic rivalries. While that goal has been met there's some debate over whether common matchups are becoming stale.
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Stanley Cup Playoffs
The Stanley Cup playoffs consist of four rounds, each played as a best-of-seven series. The tournament begins with the first round and progresses through the second round, conference finals, and ultimately, the Stanley Cup Finals.
First Round
In the first round, the top seed in each division faces off against a wildcard team, while the second and third seeds within the division play each other.
The specific matchups depend on the wildcard teams' records.
Second Round and Beyond
The second round, also known as the Division Finals, features the winners from the first round matchups within each division.
The conference finals pit the two remaining teams from each conference against each other, with the winners advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals.
The Stanley Cup Finals represent the pinnacle of the NHL season, where the champions of the Eastern and Western Conferences compete for the coveted Stanley Cup.
Success of Wildcard Teams
Wildcard teams have shown that they can be competitive in the NHL playoffs. Since the introduction of the wildcard system, several wildcard teams have made deep playoff runs, with some even reaching the Stanley Cup Finals.
For example, in the 2022-23 season, the Florida Panthers, a wildcard team that was one point from missing the playoffs, made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals before falling to the Vegas Golden Knights.
Home-Ice Advantage
Home-ice advantage in the NHL playoffs is determined by regular season records. The team with the better regular season record hosts Games 1, 2, 5, and 7 (if necessary) in a series.
For wildcard teams, this often means starting series on the road, as they typically have lower point totals than division winners.
However, this doesn't preclude them from success, as evidenced by past performances.
Tiebreakers
In cases where teams are tied in points at the end of the regular season, the NHL uses a series of tiebreakers to determine seeding:
- Regulation wins
- Regulation and overtime wins
- Total wins
- Points earned in head-to-head games
- Goal differential
- Total goals scored
These tiebreakers can be crucial in determining which teams make the playoffs and their seeding, especially for wildcard positions.
Impact on Betting
The wildcard system adds an intriguing element to NHL betting.
Wildcard teams have a more difficult road to a championship but some bettors may see value in the long odds they can have on futures markets.
Hockey sportsbooks like Bet365 often adjust their odds based on matchups, considering factors such as regular season performance, head-to-head records, and recent form.
Playoff Format Debate
The current playoff format, including the wildcard system, has sparked debate among fans, players, and analysts.
Some argue that it can lead to stronger teams being eliminated early if they're in particularly competitive divisions.
Others contend that the format maintains the importance of divisional play during the regular season while still allowing for some crossover in the playoffs.
Conclusion
The NHL wildcard system adds an exciting dimension to the playoffs and the Stanley Cup, allowing for additional teams to compete for hockey's ultimate prize.
While it presents challenges for wildcard teams, who often face tough matchups and start series on the road, it also creates opportunities for underdog stories and unexpected playoff runs.
NHL Wildcard FAQ
Number of Teams
How many wildcard teams make the NHL playoffs?
Four teams in total - two from each conference.
Eligibility for Stanley Cup Victory
Can a wildcard team win the Stanley Cup?
Yes, wildcard teams are eligible to win the Stanley Cup if they advance through all four rounds of the playoffs.
Home-Ice Advantage
How is home-ice advantage determined for wildcard teams?
Home ice advantage is based on regular season records, regardless of wildcard status.
Tiebreakers
What happens if there's a tie for the wildcard spots?
The NHL uses a series of tiebreakers, from regulation wins to goals scored in order to determine final standings.
The Success of Wild Card Teams
Has a wildcard team ever won the Stanley Cup?
As of 2024, no wildcard team has won the Stanley Cup since the current format was introduced in 2013-14.
Everything You Need On Hockey Betting
Meet our Authors
Paruyr Shahbazyan
Paruyr Shahbazyan began his business career in 2000 as a private entrepreneur. Over thirteen years, he developed a deep understanding for business and leadership, laying a solid foundation for his professional journey.
In 2013, Paruyr stepped into the sports and betting industry as the founder and president of Bookmaker Rating. This online mass media platform, which he led until 2020, focused on providing in-depth analysis and insights in sports betting, earning a reputation for its quality content.
Continuing his innovative approach in 2022, Paruyr co-founded Azuro, a decentralized betting protocol. This venture showcases his dedication to integrating advanced technology in the evolving landscape of sports betting. Through these diverse experiences, Paruyr has continuously influenced and shaped the betting industry, driving new trends and setting high standards.
| Experience | Year |
| Engaged in private entrepreneurship | 2000-2013 |
| Founder and President at Bookmaker Rating, an online platform focused on sports and betting | 2013-2020 |
| Co-founder at Azuro, a decentralized betting protocol | 2022 |
"Innovation in sportsbetting comes from a deep understanding of both technology and the human element of sports."
- Paruyr Shahbazyan, Founder, RG
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Paruyr Shahbazyan's core beliefs lie in the power of informed decision-making and integrity in the betting industry. He understands that the foundation of successful betting is not just about odds and predictions, but also about the trust and reliability of the information provided. Paruyr advocates for a betting environment where transparency and knowledge are paramount, ensuring that bettors are well-equipped with accurate data and insights.
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Paruyr's vision is to revolutionize the sports betting industry through the integration of technology. He sees the future of betting as a blend of traditional sports knowledge with innovative tech solutions, like decentralized protocols, to enhance user experience and fairness. His aim is to create platforms that are not only user-friendly but also uphold the highest standards of ethical betting, contributing to a more responsible and enjoyable betting culture.
Future Perspectives
Looking towards the future, Paruyr envisions a betting landscape that is more inclusive, technologically advanced, and globally connected. He anticipates a significant shift towards more decentralized and transparent betting systems, driven by blockchain technology. Paruyr is committed to being at the forefront of this change, continuously exploring new possibilities and innovations that can redefine what it means to engage in sports betting in a digital world. His focus is on building systems that prioritize user empowerment, fairness, and the global growth of the sports betting community.
Sol Fayerman-Hansen
Sol has over 20 years of experience in writing for diverse industries including sports, gambling, regulation, technology, and startups. As the Editor-in-Chief at RG, Sol brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role, focusing on delivering transparent, evidence-based content grounded in thorough research. Sol's mission is to empower readers to enjoy gambling responsibly and make informed decisions, enhancing their overall experience through insightful and engaging content. Under Sol's leadership, RG prioritizes the highest standards of integrity and reliability, ensuring that all information provided is accurate and trustworthy. Sol's dedication to transparency and research-based writing helps create a responsible gambling environment where readers can truly benefit from the content. This commitment to excellence has positioned RG as a leading source of information in the gambling industry.
Experience:
- Over 20 years in writing and editing across multiple industries
- Former head of regional innovation at BMO Financial Group
- Senior Writer, Online Casino Reports
Cristina Varela Galan
Cristina used to work as a Psychology Assistant in the Bizkaia Pathological and Risky Gamblers Association. She was also part of a research team in Deusto University, specializing in pathological gambling area. While working there, she managed to develop her own project
“Exploring the association between emotional regulation, alexithymia, stressful life events and gambling in adolescent and young adult women”.
Nick Ashbourne
Nick has been fascinated with sports since he was first taken to a Toronto Maple Leafs game back in 1998, and he's written about them professionally since 2014.
Nick has covered baseball and hockey for outlets like The Athletic, Sportsnet, and Yahoo Sports, and his sports betting expertise has grown since its legalization in Ontario in 2022.
Between 2022 and 2023 he worked for a betting startup called NorthStar Bets, and in 2024 he contributed to Oddspedia before joining the Responsible Gambler team.
Sergey Demidov
Sergey has been in sports journalism since 2007 as a reporter, editor, and manager. He has covered the Olympic Games, soccer World Cups, the World Cup of Hockey in 2016, the European championships, the Stanley Cup Finals, IOC events, and many others. Sergey interviewed the sport's greatest athletes, coaches, and executives. Since 2016, he has been an Independent Senior Editor of NHL.com/ru.
Anna Kravtcova
Ph.D. in organizational psychology, an internationally certified psychologist (EuroPsy 2022, Cognitive behavioural therapy of mindfulness 2020, International Society for Emotional Intelligence 2017, Russian Psychological society 2014, American Psychological Association(Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychologist) 2011), speaker of many international conferences (USA, Brazil, Portugal, Czech Republic, Russia, etc.). TEDx speaker.
