League to re-seed after each round of playoffs
The NHL’s proposed 24-team summer playoffs at two yet-to-be-determined “hub” cities will be re-seeded after every round. The qualifying-round series will be a best-of-five format, with all ensuing rounds the traditional seven-game series, the league announced Thursday.
The NHL later announced the Phase 2 of return-to-play will allow for the opening of practice facilities Monday.
The Avalanche is among the top eight seeds and has a bye for the qualifying round, and will instead play each of the other three top Western Conference teams during that time for seeding when the traditional 16-team tournament begins.
Colorado is currently the No. 2 seed in the West. The Avs will play No. 1 St. Louis, No. 3 Vegas and No. 4 Dallas with a chance to obtain the conference’s No. 1 seed.
For the 16-team tournament (first round, second round, conference finals and Stanley Cup Final), the designated home team will be in Games 1, 2, 5 and 7, with the visiting team in Games 3, 4 and 6.
The NHL is in Phase 2 of its return to play, with the 24 playoff-participating teams asking their players to return to practice facilities and prepare to train in small groups.
Official training camps won’t begin before Phase 3 begins no earlier than July 10. Phase 4, the beginning of the playoffs, could begin in late July or early August.
The playoff announcement came at nearly the same time the Pittsburgh Penguins revealed one of their players had tested positive. The team said the player is not in Pittsburgh, isolated after experiencing symptoms and has recovered from COVID-19.
Of the nine players who tested positive, five are from the Ottawa Senators, three from the Avalanche and one from Pittsburgh. The league is expected to test players daily if games resume.