What Is 2017 National Hockey League playoffs

Overview

The 2017 National Hockey League playoffs marked the postseason tournament to determine the winner of the 2016–17 NHL season. It featured 16 teams—eight from the Eastern Conference and eight from the Western Conference—competing in a four-round, best-of-seven elimination format.

The tournament culminated in the Pittsburgh Penguins capturing their fifth Stanley Cup in franchise history. They became the first team since the 1997–98 Detroit Red Wings to win back-to-back championships in the salary cap era.

• April 12, 2017 was the opening date for the first round, with matchups beginning across both conferences.
• The Pittsburgh Penguins entered as the defending champions and secured their second consecutive title.
• The Nashville Predators made their first-ever Stanley Cup Final appearance, becoming the first team from the Southeast Division to do so.
• Sidney Crosby led the playoffs in scoring with 27 points and earned the Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP.
• The Eastern Conference was dominated by strong performances from the Penguins, Capitals, and Senators.

How It Works

The NHL playoffs follow a structured elimination format designed to determine the league champion after the regular season.

• Format: The tournament consists of four rounds—First Round, Second Round, Conference Finals, and Stanley Cup Final—each a best-of-seven series.
• Seeding: The top three teams from each division qualify, plus two wild cards per conference based on points, seeded 1–8.
• Home-Ice Advantage: Awarded to the team with more regular-season points; Games 1, 2, 5, and 7 are played at home.
• Overtime Rules: Sudden-death, 20-minute periods played 5-on-5; there are no shootouts in the playoffs.
• Stanley Cup: Awarded to the playoff champion; the winning team’s names are engraved on the trophy.
• Conn Smythe Trophy: Given to the most valuable player during the playoffs, voted by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 2017 NHL playoffs compare to previous recent tournaments in key metrics:

The 2017 playoffs stood out due to the Nashville Predators’ unexpected deep run, propelled by strong goaltending from Pekka Rinne and a passionate home crowd. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh’s repeat victory solidified their status as a modern NHL dynasty, with key contributions from Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and goaltender Matt Murray.

Why It Matters

The 2017 NHL playoffs had lasting implications for team legacies, player reputations, and league dynamics. They showcased the competitiveness of the modern NHL and the importance of playoff experience.

• Pittsburgh’s back-to-back titles established them as a dominant force in the 2010s, joining elite company in NHL history.
• Nashville’s Cinderella run demonstrated how expansion teams could rise to prominence with strong management and fan support.
• Sidney Crosby’s Conn Smythe reinforced his status as one of the greatest playoff performers in NHL history.
• The growth of hockey in non-traditional markets was highlighted by Nashville’s enthusiastic fanbase and national exposure.
• Goaltending trends were evident, with Matt Murray and Pekka Rinne combining for a 2.13 and 2.14 GAA, respectively.
• The importance of depth and coaching was evident, as both finalists had strong defensive play and special teams.

Ultimately, the 2017 NHL playoffs were a testament to resilience, strategy, and star power. They remain a benchmark for modern postseason excellence and continue to influence how teams build for sustained success.