Report: NHL, union progressing toward 24-team playoff format

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The NHL and the NHLPA are making progress on a 24-team playoff format, sources told The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun.

While there's still work to be done, the Return To Play committee's meeting over the weekend produced some traction, LeBrun reports.

It was reported Monday that the league was focusing on going straight to the playoffs rather than finishing the regular season if it's able to resume play. But LeBrun was told the 24-team format involves games being played beforehand in some way.

The format would put every Western Conference team except the Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, and San Jose Sharks into the playoffs. In the East, only the Buffalo Sabres, New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators, and Detroit Red Wings would miss out.