What does a wild card mean in NHL hockey?

In NHL hockey, a wild card refers to a team that has not won its division but has earned one of the two remaining playoff berths in each conference based on its point total. The wild card teams are determined by the top two teams in each conference that do not win their divisions.

The wild card format was introduced in the 2013-14 season, replacing the previous playoff format that had six division winners and two wild-card teams. The new format allows for more parity in the playoffs and gives more teams a chance to qualify for the postseason.

Wild card teams have had some success in the playoffs. In the 2013-14 season, the New York Rangers won the Stanley Cup after entering the playoffs as a wild card team. In the 2015-16 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins won the Stanley Cup after entering the playoffs as a wild card team.

The wild card format has been a positive addition to the NHL playoffs. It has created more excitement and parity in the postseason, and it has given more teams a chance to compete for the Stanley Cup.

  • How many wild card teams are there in each conference? Two
  • What is the purpose of the wild card format? To allow teams that do not win their divisions to qualify for the playoffs
  • How are the wild card teams determined? By the top two teams in each conference that do not win their divisions
  • Have wild card teams ever won the Stanley Cup? Yes, the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins have both won the Stanley Cup after entering the playoffs as a wild card team
  • How has the wild card format impacted the NHL playoffs? It has created more excitement and parity in the postseason, and it has given more teams a chance to compete for the Stanley Cup
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