When the season was paused on March 12, with 189 games left on the schedule, several teams were battling for the final playoff positions. To compensate clubs in contention, the NHL playoffs have been expanded from 16 to 24 teams. The top four teams in each conference earned a BYE into the quarterfinal round. Colorado, Tampa Bay, St. Louis and Dallas are playing a round robin series to determine the top four seeds during the second round in the West.
The other 16 teams are playing eight qualifying series for a spot in the quarterfinals.