The National Hockey League (NHL) employed a modified playoff format in the summer of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This format involved a qualifying round for teams that were not among the top 12 in either conference based on regular-season points percentage at the time the season was paused. These qualifying series were best-of-five matchups, determining which teams would advance to the traditional 16-team playoff bracket.
This modified structure ensured that a larger number of teams still had an opportunity to compete for the championship after the unprecedented interruption to the season. It also provided a level of competitive fairness, addressing concerns about teams potentially missing the playoffs due to the abrupt conclusion of the regular season. The series offered intense, high-stakes hockey early in the postseason, drawing significant viewership and engagement from fans eager to see which teams would continue their pursuit of the Stanley Cup.
