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NHLPA Approves Playoff Format to Restart Season

By
Zander Broeckel
am800-sports-nhl-leafs-toronto-sabres-1.8598332 TORONTO, ON - APRIL 2: Jack Eichel #15 of the Buffalo Sabres tries to keep the puck away from Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at the Air Canada Centre on April 2, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Sabres 5-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) (Jack Eichel of the Buffalo Sabres tries to keep the puck away from Auston Matthews of the Maple Leafs during an NHL game at the Air Canada Centre on April 2, 2018 in Toronto. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images))

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The approval does not mean play will resume yet as the association and league still have to agree to terms

The NHL Players' Association has approved a 24-team, conference-based playoff format to restart the 2019-2020 NHL season.

The approval doesn't mean play will resume this summer as the association and league still have to agree to terms on resuming the season.

League officials say the league does not want to take COVID-19 tests away from those who need it most.

The league and union still have to negotiate such details as health and safety protocols.

The NHL was forced to pause its season March 12 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.