What a 24 Team Playoff Format Would Mean for the Carolina Hurricanes

Full Conference Format

This is probably the most demanded formatting and probably the least likely one as the league continues to try and push divisional rivalries. This formatting would rank the teams 1-12 seed per conference and give byes and set initial matchups based on those rankings.

The top four teams from each conference would be given the first round off. The remaining eight teams from each conference would play 5 -12 with 5 seed facing off against 12 seed , 6 seed against 11 seed , 7 seed against 10 seed, and 8 seed against 9 seed.

The initial round would probably be abbreviated to a best of five played 1-3-1 or a best of three with the final two games played at the higher seed. The second round would also be abbreviated to at least a best of five in order to “catch up” a little and put less of a dent on the next season.

Regardless if they go with current points or point percentage, the Carolina Hurricanes would be the sixth seed and face off against the 11th seed. This would give Carolina home ice for the first round.

The opponent however would change. If they chose to go with current points the 11 seed would be the Florida Panthers who are a point behind the New York Rangers with a single game in hand. That game in hand however would give the 11th seed to the New York Rangers.

Regardless of how that works out the Hurricanes, if they get past that initial round, would end up facing the third or fourth seed in the second round depending on if the fifth seed team survives the initial round as well.

That would be either the Philadelphia Flyers (third) or the Pittsburgh Penguins (fourth). Regardless of if they choose current points or point percentage the top six are set.  So for now if the league goes with a full conference format, the Canes would likely see one or more of these teams in the playoffs.