What Is 2014 National Hockey League playoffs

Overview

The 2014 National Hockey League playoffs marked the postseason tournament to determine the champion of the 2013–14 NHL season. It featured 16 teams competing in a best-of-seven elimination format across four rounds.

Beginning on April 16, the playoffs concluded on June 13 when the Los Angeles Kings claimed their second Stanley Cup in franchise history. Their victory over the New York Rangers in Game 5 of the Final solidified their status as one of the most resilient teams in recent NHL history.

• 16 teams qualified for the playoffs—eight from the Eastern Conference and eight from the Western Conference—based on regular-season standings.
• The Los Angeles Kings became the first team since 1975 to win the Stanley Cup after losing Games 1 and 2 at home in the Final.
• Jonathan Quick recorded a 1.71 goals-against average and .934 save percentage throughout the playoffs, earning strong goaltending praise.
• The Kings made history by winning three Game 7s in a single postseason, defeating the Sharks, Blackhawks, and Rangers.
• Game 7 of the Western Conference Final against Chicago ended in a 5–4 overtime win, marking one of the most dramatic finishes in playoff history.

How It Works

The NHL playoff structure in 2014 followed a conference-based, seeded bracket system that emphasized divisional representation and competitive balance.

• Format: The top three teams from each division qualified automatically, with two wild-card spots per conference awarded to the next best teams. This ensured division leaders received home-ice advantage.
• First Round: The division winners played the wild-card teams, while the second- and third-place teams in each division faced off, creating high-stakes opening matchups.
• Best-of-Seven: Each series required a team to win four games, with no ties allowed; games continued into 20-minute overtime periods until a goal was scored.
• Home-Ice Advantage: The team with the better regular-season record hosted Games 1, 2, 5, and 7, giving them a strategic edge in scheduling.
• Stanley Cup Final: The winners of the Eastern and Western Conference Finals met in a best-of-seven series to determine the league champion.
• Player Eligibility: Teams could adjust rosters due to injury, but only players on the official playoff roster before the cutoff date were eligible to play.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 2014 NHL playoffs compared to the previous two years in key structural and performance metrics:

The 2014 playoffs saw a higher total game count than prior years, reflecting longer series and increased competitiveness. The Kings’ path included three Game 7s, contributing to the elevated number of games. This resilience under pressure distinguished them from recent champions.

Why It Matters

The 2014 NHL playoffs had lasting implications for team legacies, player reputations, and playoff strategy across the league.

• The Los Angeles Kings solidified themselves as a modern dynasty, winning two Stanley Cups in three years (2012, 2014).
• Jonathan Quick cemented his legacy as one of the premier playoff goaltenders of his era with a .934 save percentage.
• The playoff format introduced in 2014 influenced future NHL postseason structures, emphasizing divisional alignment.
• Winning three Game 7s in one playoff run demonstrated exceptional mental toughness and depth.
• The series between the Kings and Blackhawks in the Western Final became an instant classic, drawing record viewership on NBC.
• The Rangers’ return to the Final after 20 years revitalized interest in hockey in the New York metropolitan area.

The 2014 NHL playoffs remain a benchmark for resilience, dramatic finishes, and elite goaltending, shaping how teams approach deep postseason runs.