<Tr> <Td> Within Conference, Non-divisional </Td> <Td> 3 games × 7 opponents </Td> <Td> 21 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Inter-conference </Td> <Td> 2 games × 16 opponents </Td> <Td> 32 </Td> </Tr> <P> At the end of the regular season, 16 teams qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs, an elimination tournament consisting of three rounds of best - of - seven series to determine which team from each conference will advance to the final round, dubbed the Stanley Cup Final . The top three teams in each division earn automatic berths (6 teams per conference) and the next two teams in the conference earn wild - card spots . The First Round pits the top ranked team in the conference against the lower ranked wild - card and the other division winner against the higher ranked wild - card . The second and third place teams in each division play each other . The top ranked team in a division, along with its wild card opponent and the second and third ranked teams of the same division comprise a group or bracket during the First Round, and the two winners will meet in the Second Round . The Western Conference (Pacific vs. Central divisional bracket champions) and Eastern Conference (Atlantic vs. Metropolitan divisional bracket champions) Finals will determine who faces off in the Stanley Cup Finals . </P> <P> Any ties in the standings are broken using the following protocols: </P>

How many games are in a series in hockey