<P> The Stanley Cup playoffs ( French : Les séries éliminatoires de la Coupe Stanley ) is an elimination tournament in the National Hockey League consisting of four rounds of best - of - seven series . Eight teams from each of the two conferences qualify for the playoffs based on regular season points totals . The final round is commonly known as the Stanley Cup Finals , which sees the two conference champions play for the Stanley Cup . </P>
<P> The Stanley Cup playoffs ( French : Les séries éliminatoires de la Coupe Stanley ) is an elimination tournament in the National Hockey League consisting of four rounds of best - of - seven series . Eight teams from each of the two conferences qualify for the playoffs based on regular season points totals . The final round is commonly known as the Stanley Cup Finals , which sees the two conference champions play for the Stanley Cup . </P>
2018 stanley cup playoffs best of 5 or 7
2018 stanley cup playoffs best of 5 or 7
best - of - seven
best - of - seven