This is
how the NHL sets up their new play-off format given 2013-14 re-alignment:http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=685005This is how Franchise NHL's new play-off format will work:
16 TEAMS QUALIFY* 16-out-of-30 teams qualify for play-offs
* 8 teams from Western Conference (Pacific + Central Divisions)
* 8 teams from Eastern Conference (Atlantic + Metropolitan Divisions)
* Top 6 seeds per Conference come from Top 3 teams in each Division
* Remaining 2 seeds per Conference come from highest placing regular season finishers via points (2 from each West, 2 from East) regardless of Division
FNHL Standings Tie-breakers: 1. Best division record for entire season
2. Head-to-head record vs. team(s) tied with
3. Most fantasy points for entire season (skaters and goalie combined, not actual NHL points but fantasy points based on FNHL setup "Full Fantasy Team" stats)
HOW IT UNFOLDS (5 Weeks)Conference Play-off Bracket ROUND 1(Match-up 1) #1 Placing Division Winner VS Wildcard team with lowest reg. season placement
(Match-up 2) #2 Ranked Division Winner VS Wildcard team with 2nd lowest reg. season rank
(Match-up 3) #2 Ranked team Division X VS #3 Ranked team Division X
(Match-up 4) #2 Ranked team Division Y VS #3 Ranked team Division Y
Conference Semi-Finals Bracket ROUND 2 (the new rules are not clear on seeding for Round 2... TBC)Questions to be answered:
- Was there match-up seeding in Round 1
(how do we seed the 2 match-ups for the "2nd vs 3rd place" match-ups)?
- Is there seeding in Round 2?
- Is there re-seeding in Round 2?
Round 1 Winner Match-up A
Round 1 Winner Match-up B
Conference Finals ROUND 3Round 2 Winners Match-up
Franchise NHL Stanley Cup Finals (2 week duration in FNHL)Western Conference Champ VS Eastern Conference Champ