As the NHL regular season comes to a close and the playoffs approach, hockey fans across the globe are gearing up for what promises to be an exciting and unpredictable postseason. With the addition of the Seattle Kraken to the NHL in 2021, the 2023 NHL Playoffs will be the first to feature a 32-team playoff format. As the teams prepare for the playoffs, let’s take a look at what we can expect from the 2023 NHL Playoffs.
The first round of the playoffs will feature a best-of-seven series between each of the eight division winners and the eight wild card teams. This will be followed by four best-of-seven series in the second round, two best-of-seven series in the third round, and a best-of-seven Stanley Cup Final. The division winners will receive home ice advantage in each round, with the higher seed hosting games one, two, five, and seven.
The 2023 NHL Playoffs will also feature a new playoff format for the first time in league history. The top three teams in each division will qualify for the playoffs, with the fourth and fifth place teams competing in a play-in round. The winner of each play-in series will then join the other three division winners in the first round of the playoffs.
The Seattle Kraken have been one of the most successful expansion teams in NHL history, and they are expected to make a deep run in the 2023 NHL Playoffs. Led by captain Connor McDavid and star forward Auston Matthews, the Kraken have one of the most talented rosters in the league and are poised to make a splash in their first postseason appearance.
The 2023 NHL Playoffs will also feature some of the league’s most storied franchises. The Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, and Detroit Red Wings have all made multiple Stanley Cup Final appearances in recent years, and they will be looking to add another championship to their trophy cases this year. Meanwhile, teams like the Tampa Bay Lightning, Vegas Golden Knights, and Colorado Avalanche are all looking to build on their success from last season and make a deep run in the playoffs.
No matter who ends up hoisting Lord Stanley’s Cup this year, one thing is certain: The 2023 NHL Playoffs will be an exciting and unpredictable affair. With a new playoff format and the addition of the Seattle Kraken, there is sure to be plenty of drama and excitement throughout the postseason. Hockey fans around the world are eagerly awaiting what promises to be an unforgettable playoff experience.
