16 Teams to Battle for the Stanley Cup
Format and Structure
The Stanley Cup Playoffs are set to begin, with 16 teams qualifying from the National Hockey League (NHL) to compete for the coveted trophy. The tournament format involves a set bracket that is primarily based on division standings. Each division's top three finishers automatically advance to the playoffs, along with two wild card teams from each conference.
Division Based Brackets
The playoff bracket is largely determined by the final division standings. The winners of each division will hold the top seed within their respective conferences, with the second and third-place teams following in order. This division-based structure ensures that teams within the same division will face each other in the early rounds of the playoffs, creating intense rivalries and a heightened level of competition.
Wild Card Teams
In addition to the division winners, two wild card teams from each conference will qualify for the playoffs. These teams will be the two remaining teams with the highest points total outside of the top three in each division. The wild card format adds an element of suspense to the regular season, as teams fight for the coveted playoff spots until the very end.
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