DEFINITION:
Stanley Cup playoffs: The annual postseason tournament in the National Hockey League (NHL) where the top 16 teams from the regular season compete for the Stanley Cup, the most prestigious trophy in professional ice hockey.
FAQs:
1. What is the format of the Stanley Cup playoffs?
In the Stanley Cup playoffs, the top 16 teams from the regular season qualify. The teams are then seeded based on their regular-season performance, with higher-ranked teams facing lower-ranked teams in a best-of-seven series.
2. How many rounds are there in the Stanley Cup playoffs?
The Stanley Cup playoffs consist of four rounds: the first round, the second round, the conference finals, and the Stanley Cup Finals.
3. How many games are played in each round of the Stanley Cup playoffs?
Each round of the Stanley Cup playoffs is a best-of-seven series, meaning a team needs to win four games to advance to the next round.
4. When do the Stanley Cup playoffs take place?
The Stanley Cup playoffs usually begin in April and conclude in June, lasting for approximately two months.
5. How is the winner of the Stanley Cup determined?
The team that wins the Stanley Cup Finals, the last round of the playoffs, is declared the Stanley Cup champion. They earn the right to hoist the Stanley Cup trophy and have their names engraved on the Cup, joining the ranks of hockey legends.
