NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced that the 2019-20 regular season is over, and the NHL plans on resuming with a 24-team straight-to-playoffs format with the league's other seven teams having their seasons ended.
The Players' Association voted last week to approve the 24-team format proposed by the Return to Play committee.
It involves the top four teams in each conference playing a mini-tournament for seeding, while the other 16 face off in best-of-five series to set the field.
There is still no timetable for the resumption of game action or when players can return to team facilities for voluntary workouts.
This announcement does come on the heels of the league and NHLPA unveiling protocols for those workouts, including a limit of six players on the ice at a time.
The NHL will send its playoff teams to two hub cities, based on its conference. The two hub cities have not been announced.
Matchups for the Western Conference:
The races in the Western Conference have been tight all season. What Qualifying Round series catches your eye?
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 26, 2020
Matchups for the Eastern Conference
Which Eastern Conference series would you be most excited to see in the Qualifying Round?
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 26, 2020
