The NHL and NHLPA are working on a potential 24-team conference-based expanded postseason, according to a report from Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman on Wednesday.
Friedman reports that the first phase would be a play-in tournament to trim the number of teams down to 16, and top four teams in each conference (based on points percentage) would receive byes into the second phase of the postseason. However, the teams receiving byes would still participate in a three-game tournament in order to get some action before the second phase starts, and the results could potentially impact the seeding for the second phase.
Essentially, all 24 teams would be playing games in the first phase, but the top four teams in each conference wouldn't be able to be eliminated based on the results.
The No. 5 seed would play the No. 12 seed and the winner would go on to play the No. 4 seed in the second phase. The No. 6 seed would play the No. 11 seed and the winner would go on to play the No. 3 seed in the second phase. The No. 7 seed would play the No. 10 seed and the winner would go on to play the No. 2 seed in the second phase. The No. 8 seed would play the No. 9 seed and the winner would go on to play the No. 1 seed in the second phase.
Under the current standings based on points percentage, Boston, Tampa Bay, Washington and Philadelphia would receive the byes in the East, and St. Louis, Colorado, Vegas and Dallas would receive byes in the West.
Under this format, the Penguins would be the No. 5 seed and play the Canadiens in the first phase, and the winner would go on to play the No. 4 seed. The Flyers are currently the No. 4 seed, but the seeding of the top four teams could be changed by the play-in three-game tournament.
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