how many games in nhl playoffs

The NHL playoffs use a best‑of‑seven format in every round, so the number of games depends on how long each series goes.

Short answer

• Each series: 4 to 7 games (first team to 4 wins advances).
• Rounds: 4 total (First Round, Second Round, Conference Finals, Stanley Cup Final).
• Minimum games for a champion: 4×4=164\times 4=164×4=16 games (four straight sweeps).
• Maximum games for a champion: 4×7=284\times 7=284×7=28 games (every series goes to Game 7).

Across the entire league, if every series went the distance, there would be 15 series × 7 games = 105 total playoff games , but in practice it’s less because of sweeps and shorter series.