After the NHL staged a 24-team, bubble-based tournament to determine the Stanley Cup winner in 2020, we're back to a more traditional 16-team event in 2021 -- with a significant twist.
The first two rounds of the 2021 playoffs will be intradivisional. After a winner is crowned from the four divisions, the "final four" will be rebracketed based on their regular-season records, with No. 1 taking on No. 4 and No. 2 facing No. 3. The winners of those series will square off in the Stanley Cup Final.
That could result in some dream matchups for the Cup -- Bruins-Maple Leafs anyone?