The second round of the 2023 NHL playoffs looms ahead, however, we have yet to have a team advance past the first round.
This postseason has been as competitive as ever. There were no series sweeps in the first round and there are multiple Game 6s already guaranteed to take place.
MORE: How many rounds are in the NHL playoffs?
The Sporting News explains the format of the NHL playoffs and how matchups are determined.
Does the NHL reseed in the playoffs?
No, the NHL does not reseed in the 2023 playoffs.
While the league used to reseed each round when the 1-8 seed format was in place, that's not the case anymore.
Instead, the NHL uses a playoff bracket, meaning the matchups are set once the postseason field is finalized.
The NHL wanted to put an emphasis on divisional matchups in the postseason, so the matchups from the first to the second round are tied to divisional opponents.
So for example, the Avalanche, the No. 1 Central team, are facing the Kraken, a wild-card team. The winner of that series faces off against the winner of the Stars-Wild series since they are the No. 2 Central and No. 3 Central teams.
That is the case even if the Kraken win, despite Seattle being from the Pacific.
Do other professional sports leagues reseed?
Among the four major professional sports in the United States, the only league that reseeds during the playoffs is the NFL.
The MLB and NBA follow a similar bracket-style format as the NHL uses.
