How many teams make the Stanley Cup Playoffs?

If you’re having hockey withdrawals the last two days you aren’t alone. Thankfully the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin tomorrow. Unfortunately for most of you reading this, your Washington Capitals aren’t in it.

A total of 16 out of 32 NHL teams make the Stanley Cup Playoffs. That’s eight per conference. Three for each of the four divisions and two teams in each conferences wild card qualify for the playoffs.

So as follows the Eastern Conference features the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Islanders, the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers, the Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers, and the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Over in the Western Conference you got the Colorado Avalanche taking on the second year Seattle Kraken. Then there’s the Dallas Stars and the Minnesota Wild. The Vegas Golden Knights take on the Winnipeg Jets and the Edmonton Oilers take on the Los Angeles Kings.

This is kind of awkward. I’ve been writing about the Caps for eight seasons. This is my first time missing the playoffs as a fan blogger. So coverage the next few weeks as we adapt will be 50/50 between the Caps and the NHL.

Of course there’s plenty to talk about on both ends. The Caps are now in the search for a new coach and I think Jeff Halpern should be the guy to be behind the bench. There’s also all these sweep NHL first round matchups. This is what makes the Stanley Cup playoffs the best playoffs out of all sports.

It’s so unpredictable when it comes to playoff hockey. Upsets happen all the time like they do in March Madness. This is the first time since 2006 we are without both Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby. Is this the beginning of the end?

No matter what sit back, relax and grab a beverage. The playoffs are about to be here.