What Is 2015 National Hockey League playoffs

Overview

The 2015 National Hockey League playoffs marked the postseason elimination tournament to determine the Stanley Cup champion following the 2014–15 regular season. Sixteen teams—eight from each conference—qualified based on divisional standings and wild-card entries, beginning a bracket-style series of best-of-seven matchups.

This year’s playoffs featured dramatic comebacks, standout goaltending, and high-scoring performances. The Chicago Blackhawks emerged as champions, capturing their third Stanley Cup in six years and cementing their status as a modern NHL dynasty.

• Start date: The 2015 NHL playoffs officially began on April 15, 2015, with the first games of the opening round.
• Champion: The Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup by defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games.
• Final series: The Stanley Cup Final concluded on June 15, 2015, when Chicago won Game 6 by a score of 2–0.
• MVP: Defenseman Duncan Keith earned the Conn Smythe Trophy after recording 21 points (6 goals, 15 assists) in 23 games.
• Format: The tournament followed the 16-team, best-of-seven format across four rounds: First Round, Second Round, Conference Finals, and Stanley Cup Final.

How It Works

The NHL playoffs use a seeded, conference-based bracket system where teams compete in elimination series until a champion is crowned. Each round is a best-of-seven series, with home-ice advantage given to the higher-seeded team.

• Qualification:Eight teams per conference qualify—top three in each division and two wild cards—based on regular-season points.
• Seeding: The division winners are seeded 1st and 2nd in each conference, regardless of record, followed by other qualifiers.
• Home-ice advantage: Awarded to the team with the higher seed in each series, following a 2-2-1-1-1 home-game pattern.
• Overtime rules: Regular playoff games use 20-minute sudden-death overtime periods with full intermissions until a goal is scored.
• Series progression: Winners advance through four rounds—First Round, Second Round, Conference Finals, Stanley Cup Final.
• Stanley Cup award: The winning team is awarded the Stanley Cup, and each player gets their name engraved on the trophy.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of key teams and outcomes from the 2015 NHL playoffs highlights performance trends and competitive balance.

The table shows how higher seeds generally advanced deep into the playoffs, though upsets occurred—like the 8th-seeded Canucks defeating the 1st-seeded Flames in the first round. Chicago’s 16 total wins led all teams, showcasing their dominance throughout the postseason.

Why It Matters

The 2015 NHL playoffs were significant for both league history and fan engagement, highlighting the rise of young stars and the continued dominance of powerhouse franchises. The tournament also set viewership benchmarks and influenced future playoff formats.

• Legacy of the Blackhawks: Winning their third Cup since 2010, Chicago solidified a modern NHL dynasty era.
• Conn Smythe impact: Duncan Keith’s 21-point performance by a defenseman was one of the most dominant in recent memory.
• Television ratings: The Final averaged 8.2 million viewers on NBC, the highest since 2010.
• Goaltending milestones: Ben Bishop of Tampa Bay recorded a 1.90 goals-against average and .934 save percentage.
• Player development: Young talents like Artemi Panarin (though not yet in NHL) were influenced by this playoff style.
• Rule implications: The NHL later reviewed overtime fatigue concerns due to lengthy games in the 2015 bracket.

The 2015 playoffs remain a benchmark for competitive balance, star performance, and postseason drama in professional hockey.