The Chicago Blackhawks will make the playoffs after the NHL announced its plans last week for a 24-team new league format to compete for this year’s Stanley Cup.
Commissioner Gary Bettman announced that the 24-team return to play format would go into effect for the remainder of the 2019-20 NHL season.
According to Bettman and NHL.com, the tournament will begin with a 16-team, eight-series Qualifying Round and a Seeding Round Robin among the top four teams in each conference to determine seeds for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
“I want to make clear that the health and safety of our players, coaches, essential support staff and our communities are paramount,” said Bettman about the announcement of the players’ Return to Play Plan.
The format was determined in meetings of the Return to Play Committee, which included executives from the NHL and NHL Players Association, and five players: Ottawa Senators defenseman Ron Hainsey, Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid, Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele, Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares and Philadelphia Flyers forward James van Riemsdyk.
