The NHL’s current playoff format was introduced in the 2013-14 season. It emphasizes divisional matchups and features two divisions in each conference. Three teams from each division make the playoffs as well as two wild card teams from each conference.
The three divisional playoff teams and a wild card team are then separated into a mini-bracket of four teams that play against each other for the first two rounds of the playoffs.
Since this format was implemented, some of the best teams in hockey have had to play against each other early in the playoffs due to their division’s success.