Stanley Cup Playoffs
originally aired on ABC
The Stanley Cup playoffs are the annual National Hockey League (NHL) elimination tournament to determine the league champion. The winner of the Stanley Cup is by default the NHL champion as well. Eight teams from each of the two conferences qualify for the playoffs based on regular season points totals. The NHL is the only major professional sports league in North America to refer to its playoffs by the name of its championship trophy. Stanley Cup was donated in 1892 by Lord Stanley of Preston, then-Governor General of Canada.