Compensating teams that were battling for the final playoff positions, when the season was paused on March 12, the 2020 NHL playoffs have been expanded from 16 to 24 teams. The top four Eastern and Western Conference clubs earned a BYE to the quarterfinal round. Those teams are playing round robin tournaments to determine the top four seeds during the second round. The remaining 16 teams are playing eight qualifying series and the winner's advance to the quarterfinals.
All games will be played at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto during the first three rounds of the Eastern Conference playoffs.