2013-14 NHL Season

Playoff format is different this year, first round is within the division if you finish second or third. The last two spots are wild card spots who play the division winners depending on points. Highest point total vs lowest. The Sharks will play the Kings in what could be the Western Conference final in the first round.

 

What?

I believe you, but ... what?

Teaches me to get fired up the last week of the season. Fuck, the NHL just can't make anything easy.

 

Back to the divisional format. The West is far superior to the east. 5 of the top 6 teams are in the west and some very good teams are going to be eliminated in round 1.

 

Which leads me to believe if Boston doesn't get tripped up, it will be facing a gassed West champion.

 

Will they reseed in the second round?

 

Boston is far and away the best team in the East, who knows if that translates to a walk to the final but whoever beats them it will be a major upset.

 

If the season ended today, the first round would be:

Boston vs. Detroit
Montreal vs. Tampa Bay
Pittsburgh vs. Columbus
Rangers vs. Philadelphia

St. Louis vs. Minnesota
Chicago vs. Colorado
Anaheim vs. Dallas
Los Angeles vs. San Jose

 

I believe so.

 

I don't believe so, the wildcard spots stay in the division of their first round opponents. I'm not a 100% on that though

 

Well there you go Mustang two different answers to your question.

 

True, true, but other than Kings/Sharks, the West is still subject to a lot of change. As inferred earlier, I'm interested to see if St. Louis falls to 2nd in the Central in which it would have to play a hot Chicago team with Toews/Kane about to return.

 

They do not re-seed. Straight bracket all the way through.