The NHL’s proposed 24-team summer playoffs at two yet-to-be-determined “hub” cities will be re-seeded after every round. The qualifying-round series will be a best-of-five format, with all ensuing rounds the traditional seven-game series, the league announced Thursday.
The NHL later announced the Phase 2 of return-to-play will allow for the opening of practice facilities Monday.
The Avalanche is among the top eight seeds and has a bye for the qualifying round, and will instead play each of the other three top Western Conference teams during that time for seeding when the traditional 16-team tournament begins.
Colorado is currently the No. 2 seed in the West. The Avs will play No. 1 St. Louis, No. 3 Vegas and No. 4 Dallas with a chance to obtain the conference’s No. 1 seed.
For the 16-team tournament (first round, second round, conference finals and Stanley Cup Final), the designated home team will be in Games 1, 2, 5 and 7, with the visiting team in Games 3, 4 and 6.
The NHL is in Phase 2 of its return to play, with the 24 playoff-participating teams asking their players to return to practice facilities and prepare to train in small groups. Official training camps won’t begin before Phase 3 begins no earlier than July 10. Phase 4, the beginning of the playoffs, could begin in late July or early August.
