In the NHL, teams are divided into conferences that each have two divisions. The top three teams in each division qualify for the playoffs. Additionally, four wild card teams are added to the mix for the postseason. The top team from each conference plays a wild card team in the first round, while the second-place teams play one another. Finally, the two conference champions meet in a single-elimination tournament called the Stanley Cup Finals.
The first thing to understand about hockey divisions is that the divisions are not the same as those used in the NFL, NBA or MLB. The hockey leagues in Canada use different classification systems, and there are also a number of independent competitions that have their own divisions.
Those divisions are often used to determine eligibility for NCAA scholarships and to organize the conference schedule. The divisions can even be a factor when choosing which player to draft. The best player in the league is awarded the Hobey Baker Award, and many recent winners have gone on to successful NHL careers.
There are six Division 1 hockey conferences; Atlantic Hockey, Big 10, ECAC, Hockey East, NCHC and WCHA. Each team is classified in its conference based on where they live, and which competitions they participate in. This allows players to be eligible for scholarship and playing opportunities in the same state/province/country. Goalies are the only position that can play for a different state or province, but this is only allowed if it is not their primary residence.
Division 1 hockey teams compete in regular season and playoff series to determine the conference champion. The top two teams in each conference are crowned the Eastern Conference and Western Conference Champions respectively. The winner of the Eastern Conference is rewarded with the Prince of Wales Trophy, while the Western winner is given the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl.
Each playoff series is a best-of-seven game format. The first team to win four games advances to the next round. The first four series are played in a double-elimination format. After that, the two highest seeded teams from each conference are paired up for the rest of the playoffs.
For example, in the first round of the playoffs this year the Capitals will take on the Flyers. The winner of that series will then face the winner of the Bruins-Maple Leafs matchup. This will continue until the conference finals are determined.
The Swiss League is the second division of professional hockey in Switzerland. It was founded in 2013 and features 14 teams. The lowest team in the league can be relegated to the Oberliga. However, the highest placed team can be promoted to the National League A. The most popular league in Europe, the Deutsche Eishockey Liga, is currently a step below the DEL2. The two leagues do not have the ability to promote teams from each other. However, the DEL2 does have a system that ensures at least one team will be promoted to the Bundesliga every season.