The start date of the NHL playoffs generally falls around the same time each year, even with tweaks to the 2025-26 schedule due to the Winter Olympics.
Information on the start of the NHL postseason and the number of teams involved is below.
When Do the 2026 NHL Playoffs Start?
The 2026 NHL playoffs are expected to start on Saturday, April 18. The regular-season schedule concludes on Thursday, April 16.
As usual, the Stanley Cup Final is expected to take place in June.
How Many Teams Make the Stanley Cup Playoffs?
Sixteen teams make the Stanley Cup playoffs. Eight teams from each conference qualify for the postseason.
The top three teams in each division make up the first 12 playoff teams. The four other spots are filled by the teams with the best record among the remaining teams.
In general, the teams with the most regular-season wins have the shortest NHL odds to win the Stanley Cup.
Which Teams Made the Playoffs Last Year?
| Eastern Conference | Points |
| Washington Capitals | 111 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 108 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 102 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | 99 |
| Florida Panthers | 98 |
| Ottawa Senators | 97 |
| New Jersey Devils | 91 |
| Montreal Canadiens | 91 |
| Western Conference | Points |
| Winnipeg Jets | 116 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | 110 |
| Dallas Stars | 106 |
| Los Angeles Kings | 105 |
| Colorado Avalanche | 102 |
| Edmonton Oilers | 101 |
| Minnesota Wild | 97 |
| St. Louis Blues | 96 |
How Many Rounds are in NHL Playoffs?
There are four rounds in the NHL playoffs.
Each round is played over a best-of-seven series, with the winners of each conference meeting in the Stanley Cup Final.
What Is the Tie Breaker for the NHL Playoffs?
The first tie breaker if teams are tied in the standings is the number of games played, with the team that has played fewer games getting the advantage.
If the teams have played the same number of games, regulation wins are used as the tiebreaker.
If tied on regulation wins, wins including overtime are used.
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