Ever since the NHL season went on pause due to the COVID pandemic, hockey fans have been eagerly waiting for the season to resume. The season was put on pause with nine games left in the regular season, with many teams looking for a late playoff push. Typically, the NHL playoff format is made up of 16 teams, but now the NHL is looking at a 24 team playoff format.

24 NHL Teams in Playoff Contention:

• Boston Bruins (Atlantic)
• St. Louis Blues (Central)
• Colorado Avalanche (Central)
• Tampa Bay Lightning (Atlantic)
• Washington Capitals (Metro)
• Philadelphia Flyers (Metro)
• Pittsburgh Penguins (Metro)
• Vegas Golden Knights (Pacific)
• Edmonton Oilers (Pacific)
• Dallas Stars (Central)
• Carolina Hurricanes (Metro)
• Toronto Maple Leafs (Atlantic)
• Columbus Blue Jackets (Metro)
• New York Islanders (Metro)
• Winnipeg Jets (Central)
• New York Rangers (Metro)
• Calgary Flames (Pacific)
• Florida Panthers (Atlantic)
• Nashville Predators (Central)
• Vancouver Canucks (Pacific)
• Minnesota Wild (Central)
• Arizona Coyotes (Pacific)
• Chicago Blackhawks (Central)
• Montreal Canadians (Atlantic)

For some of these teams, they are thankful for the expansion of the playoff format to be able to get more exposure and revenue after losing the last nine games. No games would resume until July and the NHL would jump straight into the playoffs.

The NHL plans to use four arenas in eight or nine different cities, with the teams not allowed to play in their home arenas. The whole state of California is up for contention, as the Kings, Sharks, and Ducks did not make the 24 team playoff cut.

When hockey comes back, some rules that would seem to be applied would be: wearing full face shields, no fighting allowed, no scrums after whistles for referee’s to break up, coaches wear masks and social distance on bench, and no spitting on the ice or bench.

 

What team are you rooting for when the NHL comes back?

Until Next Time

∼RJ