https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/nhlpa-executive-board-approves-nhls-proposed-return-play-format/
igralci potrdili predlog lige za 24 ekip v PO. Top 4 na zahodu in vzhodu majo bye in igrajo med sabo, ostale ekipe igrajo best of 5 in nato pac top seede.
In the Eastern Conference, the opening round will play out like this:
• 5. Pittsburgh vs. 12. Montreal (winner plays four seed)
• 6. Carolina vs. 11. Rangers (winner plays three seed)
• 7. Islanders vs. 10. Florida (winner plays two seed)
• 8. Toronto vs. 9. Columbus (winner plays one seed)
And the Western Conference opening round shakes out as follows:
• 5. Edmonton vs. 12. Chicago (winner plays four seed)
• 6. Nashville vs. 11. Arizona (winner plays three seed)
• 7. Vancouver vs. 10. Minnesota (winner plays two seed)
• 8. Calgary vs. 9. Winnipeg (winner plays one seed)