NHL Stanley Cup playoff action includes eight qualifying series split between the Eastern and Western Conferences. These are best-of-five series and winners advance to the quarterfinal round. The higher seed is the designated home team in games 1, 2 and 5, while the lower seed is the home team in games 3 and 4. Toronto is the hub city for the first three Eastern Conference playoff rounds and all games will be played at Scotiabank Arena.
Qualifying series feature playoff overtime rules meaning shootouts are eliminated and games can’t end in a tie. Based on regular season win percentage, Carolina (.