We’re finally at the business end of the season and we’ll soon discover which teams have performed well enough over the course of the last 6 months to earn the opportunity to compete for North America’s oldest professional sports trophy, the Stanley Cup. The final regular season games will be played in mid-April and the NHL playoffs will start on 17 April!
NHL Playoffs Format
There are 32 regular season teams, and 16 of them (8 from each conference), are eligible for the playoffs: the top 3 teams in each division, in addition to the 2 teams in the conference with the next most points. The Stanley Cup is decided in 4 rounds of best-of-7 series during the playoffs.
The teams in the First Round are divided into 2 brackets according to division, with the top 3 divisional qualifiers and one wildcard in each bracket. The wildcard with the lowest seed plays the division champion with the best record. The other division winner plays the other wildcard. The division's second- and third-place teams will compete in the other 2 series. With 8 teams and 4 x best-of-7 series, the winners of the First Round advance to the Second Round which has a similar format. The 4 Second Round winners advance to the Conference Finals, and the 2 winners of the Conference Finals advance to the Stanley Cup Finals. The Eastern and Western Conference champions compete in a best-of-7 series in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Teams in the 2023 NHL Playoffs
As of 4 April, the following Eastern Conference teams have qualified for this year’s playoffs, with 2 spots still to be filled:
- Boston Bruins
- Carolina Hurricanes
- New Jersey Devils
- New York Rangers
- Tampa Bay Lightning
- Toronto Maple Leafs
The following Western Conference teams have also qualified for the playoffs, with 2 spots still to be filled:
- Colorado Avalanche
- Dallas Stars
- Edmonton Oilers
- Los Angeles Kings
- Minnesota Wild
- Vegas Golden Knights
So far, only the Bruins have confirmed their seeding and home-ice advantage. Best-of-7 playoff series are played in an HHAAHAH format where the team with home-ice advantage could play up to 4 games at their home arena. Can the Bruins break a decade-long record where the Presidents’ Trophy winner – the team with the most regular season points – hasn’t gone on to lift the Stanley Cup since the Chicago Blackhawks in 2013?
2023 NHL Playoffs Ticket & Prices
Although each arena has its own seating chart, NHL venues typically include: a lower level that is close to the ice, with front-row seats that offer superior views from beside the plexiglass; a mezzanine or club level with a higher view of the game; a suite level where catering, a wait service, and a private entrance are just a few of the additional perks; and an upper level that is the furthest from the ice but has the best views of the entire arena and the most affordable tickets.
Tickets for playoff games are often more expensive than those for regular season games.
How to Get Cheap Tickets
Ticket prices will vary depending on the teams playing, the arena, the day of the week (weekends are typically more expensive), and the stage of the playoffs. Prices for the same game and ticket type will fluctuate over time and among ticket sellers. There may be last-minute deals for less popular games; however, waiting can also result in ticket shortages or higher prices if there is high demand. Koobit helps you find the right tickets at the best price by comparing prices from primary and secondary sellers.
Where to Buy Tickets
At most arenas, you can purchase tickets at the on-site box office, however, ticket availability will vary and during the playoffs, many games will sell out. Buying your ticket online is more convenient and generally more reliable because you can easily compare options and prices and guarantee the right seat for you before arriving at the arena.
How to Get to a Game
The team with the best regular season record will have home-ice advantage and play up to 4 home games, while their opponent will play up to 3 (depending on if the best-of-7 series goes on for 7 games). Most NHL arenas are in a city's central district and are surrounded by garages and lots offering nearby car parking spaces that can be pre-booked. Arenas are also usually easily accessible by public transportation. Visit an arena’s travel & parking page for more information. For event-specific information, click through to an event and view the Travel & Parking section.
2023 NHL Playoffs Merchandise & Apparel
If you want to look the part when attending an NHL playoff game, Fanatics sells official NHL merchandise, offering everything from team sweaters to branded caps.
To stay up to date with the latest schedule and ticketing information for this season and beyond, visit the National Hockey League (NHL) page.