Calder Cup qualification rules for 2004

In 2003-04, a total of 20 teams — five from each division — will qualify for the AHL’s postseason.

The playoffs will begin with four qualifying series (one in each division), with the fourth-place team playing the fifth-place team in a best-of-three matchup, with all three games at the home of the higher-seeded team. These series winners advance to the division semifinals.

The best-of-seven division semifinals will match the first-place team with the qualifying series winner and the second-place team with the third-place team. The series winners advance to the division finals.

The best-of-seven division finals will match the winners of each division semifinal. These series winners advance to the best-of-seven conference finals, and those series winners will meet in the best-of-seven Calder Cup Finals.