The higher seeded team in a Stanley Cup playoff series has home-ice advantage, hosting Games 1, 2, 5, and 7 if necessary, while the lower seeded team hosts Games 3, 4, and 6 if needed. Each playoff series is a best-of-seven format, with the first team to win four games claiming the series. If a team sweeps their opponent, winning the first four games, then the final three games are not played.