What Is 2019 National Hockey League playoffs

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2019 National Hockey League (NHL) playoffs began on April 10, 2019, and concluded on June 12, 2019, with the St. Louis Blues defeating the Boston Bruins in seven games to win their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.

Key Facts

The 2019 NHL playoffs started on April 10, 2019, following the conclusion of the regular season.
St. Louis Blues won their first Stanley Cup on June 12, 2019, defeating the Boston Bruins in Game 7.
The series marked the first time the Blues reached the Stanley Cup Final since 1970.
Ryan O'Reilly scored the game-winning goal in Game 7 and led all playoff scorers with 23 points.
The Washington Capitals were the defending champions but were eliminated in the second round by the Carolina Hurricanes.

Overview

The 2019 National Hockey League playoffs marked the postseason tournament to determine the champion of the 2018–19 NHL season. A total of 16 teams qualified for the tournament, with the top three teams from each of the four divisions advancing, followed by two wild-card teams per conference.

The playoffs culminated in a historic victory for the St. Louis Blues, who captured their first Stanley Cup in the franchise’s 52-year history. The final series against the Boston Bruins was tightly contested, going the full seven games, with the decisive Game 7 held at TD Garden in Boston.

16 teams participated in the 2019 playoffs, including the St. Louis Blues, who finished last in the league standings in January but surged in the postseason.
The postseason began on April 10, 2019, with the first-round matchups starting across both the Eastern and Western Conferences.
The St. Louis Blues defeated the Boston Bruins in seven games, winning Game 7 by a score of 4–1 on June 12, 2019.
Goaltender Jordan Binnington, a rookie, played a pivotal role, posting a 16–10 record with a .927 save percentage during the playoffs.
The Blues became the first team in NHL history to enter the playoffs as the second wild card and go on to win the Stanley Cup.

How It Works

The NHL playoff format follows a structured bracket system based on divisional alignment and seeding. Teams compete in a best-of-seven series across four rounds, with home-ice advantage awarded to the higher-seeded team.

Seeding: The top three teams in each division qualify, followed by two wild-card teams with the highest point totals in each conference. This ensures divisional leaders are rewarded while allowing strong non-division winners to compete.
First Round: The division winner with the best record plays the second wild card, while the second and third-place teams face off. The winners advance to the second round.
Second Round: Also known as the conference semifinals, the winners from the first round compete in a best-of-seven series to determine who advances to the conference finals.
Conference Finals: The Eastern and Western Conference champions are determined here, with the winners earning the Prince of Wales and Clarence S. Campbell trophies, respectively.
Stanley Cup Final: The two conference champions face off in a best-of-seven series to determine the NHL champion. The winning team is awarded the Stanley Cup.
Home-Ice Advantage: Awarded to the team with the better regular-season record in each series, giving them the opportunity to host Games 1, 2, 5, and 7.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2019 NHL playoffs compare to recent editions in terms of structure, outcomes, and key statistics:

Year	Champion	Runner-Up	Series Result	Key Stat
2019	St. Louis Blues	Boston Bruins	4–3	Blues were the 2nd wild card; first Cup in franchise history
2018	Washington Capitals	Vegas Golden Knights	4–1	Capitals won first Cup in 44 years
2017	Pittsburgh Penguins	Nashville Predators	4–2	Penguins became first repeat champions since 1998
2016	Pittsburgh Penguins	San Jose Sharks	4–3	First expansion team to reach the Final
2015	Chicago Blackhawks	Tampa Bay Lightning	4–2	Blackhawks won third Cup in six years

The 2019 playoffs stood out due to the underdog narrative of the St. Louis Blues, who overcame a last-place position in the league standings in January to become champions. This marked one of the most dramatic turnarounds in NHL history, showcasing the unpredictability of the postseason format.

Why It Matters

The 2019 NHL playoffs had significant implications for team legacies, player careers, and fan engagement across North America. The Blues’ victory not only ended a 52-year championship drought but also inspired a new generation of fans in St. Louis.

The Blues’ win marked the first major professional sports championship for St. Louis since the 2006 St. Louis Cardinals won the World Series.
Rookie goaltender Jordan Binnington became a franchise icon, posting a 1.89 goals-against average in the playoffs.
The series averaged 5.6 million viewers on NBC, with Game 7 peaking at over 8 million, reflecting strong national interest.
St. Louis hosted a victory parade attended by over 500,000 fans, highlighting the cultural impact of the win.
The playoff format continues to reward consistency during the regular season while allowing for dramatic upsets, maintaining competitive balance.
The success of the Blues demonstrated the value of resilience and mid-season adjustments, influencing team strategies league-wide.

The 2019 NHL playoffs remain a benchmark for underdog triumphs and postseason drama, solidifying their place in hockey history.