2010 NHL Playoffs Schedule

The 2010 NHL regular season ended on April 11, 2010 and the Stanley Cup playoffs began on April 14, 2010. The NHL consists of thirty teams, which are divided into two conferences, (the east and west), which are then divided into three divisions each. The NHL East Conference has the Atlantic, the Northeast, and the Southeast Divisions. The NHL West Conference is made up of the Central, the Northwest, and the Pacific Divisions.

In the playoffs, sixteen teams (eight per division) compete in hopes of winning the Stanley Cup. The qualifying teams are determined by their regular season point totals. The point system is fairly simple. A win is awarded two points, an overtime loss is one point, and a loss is zero points. According to the NHL rules set in the 1998-99 season, the playoff berths are awarded first to the top three teams in each division, then to the next 5 teams in the conference with the highest regular season point totals. The 1st through 3rd seed positions are awarded to the winners of the conferences in order of their point accumulations, with the remaining 5 seeds, again in order of points. Advancement to the next round is determined in a best of seven games competition. The match ups in the first or quarterfinal round are #1 seed vs #8 seed, #2 vs #7, #3 vs #6, and #4 vs #5 with the winners advancing to the next round. Home ice advantage is given to the top four teams.

In the Conference Semifinals and Conference Finals, the teams are reseeded based on points. The home ice advantage is awarded to the top two teams. In Stanley Cup play, the home advantage is awarded to the team with the most points.http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=25433

Featured Video: NHL Stanley Cup

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NHL Stanley Cup Hockey

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A fan's perspective on the game of hockey, explaining why he loves the game. He is an L. A. King fan and, most assuredly, a Wayne Gretzky fan. He gives a down-to-earth explanation about how he feels about the game. Although hockey doesn't enjoy the popularity of football or basketball, its intensity, the precision, and the team oriented play makes hockey a truly great sport, more physically and mentally challenging than any other.

Stanley Cup Championship Schedule

Chicago Blackhawks vs Philadelphia Flyers

The Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup on June 6, beating the Flyers 4 games to 2

Conference Championships

Western Conference

San Jose Sharks vs. Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks took the Conference Championship 4 games to 0 and advance to the Stanley Cup Championship.

Eastern Conference

Montreal Canadiens vs Philadelphia Flyers

The Philadelphia Flyers took the Conference Championship 4 games to 1 and advance to the Stanley Cup Championship

Semi-Final Game Schedule

Western Conference

(All Times are Eastern Time)

San Jose Sharks vs.Detroit Red Wings

San Jose Sharks won the series 4 games to 1, advancing to the Conference Championship

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Vancouver Canucks

Chicago Blackhawks won the series 4 games to 2 advancing to the Conference Championship.

'Eastern Conference

Boston Bruins vs. Philadelphia Flyers

Philadelphia Flyers won the series 4 games to 3 advancing to the Conference Championship

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Montreal Canadiens Montreal Canadiens won the series 4 games to 3 advancing to the Conference Championshiphttp://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=527392

Quarterfinals Schedule

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals

#1 Washington Capitals vs. #8 Montreal Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens clinched the series over #1 seeded Washington 4-3 advancing to the semi-finals. They are the 9th eight seeded team to overcome the #1 seed since 1994