It was reported on May 22 that the NHLPA had agreed to the issued playoff format that would include 24 teams. This means that the Florida Panthers, who haven’t seen playoff action since 2015-16, would be included as one of the teams for the revised summer playoffs.
With the playoffs altered completely to accommodate towards the very late start – along with the safety of players, coaches, trainers, etc. – the postseason will understandably be different in format, which will begin with a “play-in series.”
The play-in series technically isn’t considered “playoff hockey” as it was put in place to accommodate bubble teams who were sitting just below or inside a playoff spot.