NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced the 24-team return-to-play format today. For the first time since 2017, the New York Rangers will be in the post-season. The Blueshirts will take on the Carolina Hurricanes in a 6 vs. 11 matchup in either a best-of-five or -seven series, final format to be determined.

Bettman announcement:

Commissioner Gary Bettman shares details on the NHL’s Return to Play Plan. https://t.co/ZH7153tpZ0

— NHL (@NHL) May 26, 2020

Play-in match up and all matchups:

HOCKEY IS COMING BACK! Which seeding/qualifying round matchups are you most excited about🤔 pic.twitter.com/wglksZGkG4

— Everything Hockey (@EHClothing) May 26, 2020

#SelectionSunday is a little different this year.....#NHL pic.twitter.com/mTcENakB2F

— Geoff Magliocchetti (@GeoffJMags) May 26, 2020

Playoffs:

🚨Everything you need to know 🚨 pic.twitter.com/LU0pd42Vpx

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) May 26, 2020

Official start dates for the resumption of game action has yet to be finalized, but July 1 looks to be the possible date for teams to begin training camp, which is Phase 2. The regular season is now over with seven teams officially on the outside looking in. Bettman discussed the draft, which will be in two phases if one of the Teams A-H, which are the eight teams in the play-in round, earn one of the top-three seeds, see odds below. Dan Rosen and Bob McKenzie had excellent twitter streams on the press conference posted below.

Phase 1 of draft lottery is June 26. Three draws to determine picks 1-3. Each include 7 teams that are out and 8 teams that have not yet won a qualifying round. If all 3 draws (picks 1-3) are won by the teams that are already out, no need for a Phase 2 of the lottery.

— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) May 26, 2020

Odds pic.twitter.com/6lCze8wqHF

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) May 26, 2020

If the winner of the No. 3 pick draw comes from the bottom 7 seven teams (DET, OTT, SJ (belongs to OTT), LA, ANA, NJ, BUF), that team is awarded No. 3. If the winner of the No. 3 pick draw comes from the other 8 teams, the No. 3 pick will be awarded in the Phase 2 lottery.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) May 26, 2020

In addition, 10 hub cities remain in the mix, with the expectation for one hub city for the East and one for the West. The possibility exists that the conference finals and/or Stanley Cup Finals could be played at the home teams' arenas. But that depends on where the world is in terms of the pandemic at that time.

Hub cities left in contention pic.twitter.com/krpJECDEgr

— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) May 26, 2020

Many hurdles remain but today was another positive step forward for the return of hockey.

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