CSN Chicago · May 26, 2020
NHL reveals format for 24-team playoff, qualifying round bracket, round robin
National Hockey League's new 24-team playoff formatSo the NHL's 24-team playoff format is set and here is a look at what the playoff bracket looks like.
Western Conference:
The Blackhawks are the 12th and final seed in the Western Conference, and are already a favorite among pundits for a potential upset of the 5th seeded Oilers.
Eastern Conference:
That 7-vs.-10 matchup between the Panthers and Islanders is also very intriguing, with Joel Quenneville's Florida squad a dangerous team capable of making a run.
Per the NHL's announcement, the qualifying round between seeds 5 through 12 is not "technically" the playoffs, but instead a play-in round to make a customary 16-team playoff format.