Breaking: 24-team playoff format finalized setting up potential match ups

Jeff Speer/Icon Sportswire

Here we go. Multiple sources have indicated to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the NHL has decided on a 24-team playoff tournament to decide the winner of the 2019-2020 Stanley Cup Champion!

The NHL and NHLPA are working on a 24-team conference-based playoff setup, multiple sources have indicated to @FriedgeHNIC.https://t.co/XoZqgMjqH0
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 20, 2020

The Return to Play committee has been grinding this process out trying to make as many people happy as possible. It has not been easy and there is still a ton of work to complete, but some would consider this the first official step of the NHL's comeback. Now it's up to the players and the teams to approve the setup and a location would help.

Friedman's colleague Chris Johnston chimed in with some more information on the matter:

Further to @FriedgeHNIC report on progress being made with the NHL's return-to-play format: Important to note this is just about how the 24-team system would work and doesn't cover other critical issues, such as testing protocols, hub cities, visas and many other things.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) May 21, 2020

Here's what you need to know about the 24-team set up:

Top 4 seeds receive byes (Bruins, Lightning, Washington, Philly) (Blues, Golden Knights, Avs, Stars)
Bracketed format onward meaning 5 vs 12, 6 vs 11, 7 vs 10, 8 vs 9
Play-In Series from there being best-of-five, rest of the playoffs best-of-seven

By having a tournament style like so, it would set up the following match ups:
Pittsburgh vs Montreal

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Carolina vs New York Rangers

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New York Islanders vs Florida

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Toronto vs Columbus

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Edmonton vs Chicago

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Nashville vs Arizona

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Vancouver vs Minnesota

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Calgary vs Winnipeg

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