<P> After the NHL became the last remaining league to compete for the Cup, the trophy was then awarded to the winner of the NHL's championship playoff round . This first took place in 1927 between the Boston Bruins and the Ottawa Senators, which was planned to be a best - of - three series, although the series allowed ties . The series ended after four games, when the Senators defeated the Bruins in the fourth game . </P> <P> The NHL has changed its playoff format several times since 1927, and thus the final round has not always pitted conference or division playoff champions against each other . In the playoff format used from 1929 to 1938, the two teams with identical division ranking would face each other (i.e. the first place teams played each other, the second place teams play each other, and likewise for the third place teams). The winner of the first place series would automatically advance to the final round . The winner of the second and third place series would then play each other, with the winner of that series earning the other berth to the championship round . </P> <P> During the Original Six era, the top four teams made the playoffs, with the first and third place teams battling in one semifinal series, while the second and fourth place teams battled in the other . And from 1975 to 1981, all the playoff teams were seeded regardless of division or conference . Since 1982, the NHL's final round has pitted the league's two conference playoff champions . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> Years </Th> <Th> Format </Th> <Th> Notes </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1914--1922 </Td> <Td> best - of - five </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1923--1924 </Td> <Td> best - of - three </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1925--1926 </Td> <Td> best - of - five </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1927 </Td> <Td> best - of - three </Td> <Td> Ties allowed, series ended in four games . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1928 </Td> <Td> best - of - five </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1929--1930 </Td> <Td> best - of - three </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1931--1938 </Td> <Td> best - of - five </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1939--present </Td> <Td> best - of - seven </Td> <Td> 2004--05 season canceled due to lockout . </Td> </Tr> </Table>

How many teams are in the stanley cup finals