2 0 1 0 P L A Y O F F M E D I A G U I D E - Nashville Predators

CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALSWednesday, April 14 – Wednesday, April 28CONFERENCE SEMIFINALSThursday, April 29 – Thursday, May 13CONFERENCE FINALSFriday, May 14 – Tuesday, June 1STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONSHIPSSaturday, June 5 – Friday, June 182010 Stanley Cup Playoffs schedule and format*The dates for the second round and each subsequent round are subject to “move-up” scenarios if, given the results in the prior round, theleague determines that an accelerated schedule can be implemented.PLAYOFF SEEDINGThe following summarizes the rules for seeding and scheduling for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. At the conclusion of the regular season, thestanding of the clubs in each conference shall be determined in accordance with the following priorities, in the order listed:a.) First place in each of the three (3) divisions seeded 1, 2, and 3.b.) The higher number of points earned by the club.c.) The greater number of games won by the club.d.) The higher number of points earned in games against each other among two (2) or more clubs having equal standing under priority (b)and (c)*e.) The greater differential between goals scored for and against by clubs having equal standing under priority (d).Home-ice advantage for the first three (3) rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs will be established as follows: The higher-ranked club willplay Games One, Two, and if necessary, Games Five and Seven in its home rink. The lower-ranked club will play games Three, Four, and ifnecessary, Six in it home rink. * All series of the playoffs shall be on a four-out-of-seven basis.*Note: Series will follow traditional “2-2-1-1-1” format unless higher-ranked club opts for “2-3-2” format in accordance with requirementsof NHL By-Law 27. If a Club does not have its building available for three (3) consecutive nights, the Commissioner may alter thesequence of the games in that round (e.g., “1-2-2-1-1” format).FIRST ROUND – CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALSEASTERN CONFERENCEWESTERN CONFERENCEOne versus EightOne versus EightTwo versus SevenTwo versus SevenThree versus SixThree versus SixFour versus FiveFour versus FiveFollowing completion of the first round, the winner of each series shall participate in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs againstanother series winner in its conference. For the purpose of determining second-round matchups, each of the first-round winners shall be rerankedone (1) through (4) based on their regular-season rankings as determined above.SECOND ROUND – CONFERENCE SEMIFINALSThe first versus the fourth-highest ranked club in the Eastern ConferenceThe second versus the third-highest ranked club in the Eastern ConferenceThe first versus the fourth-highest ranked club in the Western ConferenceThe second versus the third-highest ranked club in the Western ConferenceFollowing completion of the second round, the surviving clubs in each Conference will participate in the Conference Final series, withhome-ice advantage accruing to the higher-ranked club.THIRD ROUND – CONFERENCE FINALSEastern Conference FinalsWestern Conference FinalsFOURTH ROUND – STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONSHIP SERIESThe surviving two (2) clubs will participate in the Stanley Cup Championship series. Home-ice advantage shall accrue to the club which hadthe greater number of regular-season points (or, in the event of a tie, in accordance with the other ranking priorities listed above.) Thehigher-ranked club will play Games One, Two, and if necessary, Games Five and Seven in its home rink. The lower-ranked club will playGames Three, Four, and, if necessary, Game Six in its home rink.