Basic Qualification Structure
The NHL playoffs include 16 teams total, split evenly between the Eastern and Western conferences. Each conference has three divisions. The top 8 teams from each conference earn playoff spots. To qualify, a team must accumulate enough points during the 82-game regular season to finish in the top 8 of their conference.
Division Winners and Seeding
The three division winners in each conference automatically receive the top three playoff seeds for their conference. This means the best team in each division is guaranteed a high playoff position. The remaining five playoff spots in each conference go to the next best teams, regardless of division. These teams are ranked by total points earned.
How Points Are Earned
Teams earn points during the regular season that determine playoff qualification. A team gets 2 points for winning a game in regulation or overtime. A team gets 1 point if they lose in overtime or a shootout. A team gets 0 points for a regulation loss. The team with the most points in their conference at the end of the regular season ranks highest.
Tiebreaker Rules
When two teams have the same number of points, the NHL uses tiebreaker rules to rank them. The first tiebreaker is head-to-head record, meaning how those two teams performed against each other. If teams are still tied, the next tiebreaker is goal differential, then goals scored. These tiebreakers determine final playoff seeding.
Playoff Bracket Format
Once the 8 teams per conference are determined, they are matched up in a playoff bracket. The 1st seed plays the 8th seed, the 2nd seed plays the 7th seed, the 3rd plays the 6th, and the 4th plays the 5th. Teams play best-of-seven series, meaning the first team to win 4 games advances to the next round. 
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