The 2010-2011 Central Hockey League playoff format is as follows:

- A total of sixteen (16) of eighteen (18) teams will qualify for the post-season, consisting of eight (8) clubs from each conference.  Both conference winners will be seeded 1st in their conference heading into the playoffs based on point totals.  The next seven (7) highest teams in each conference’s regular season standings based on point totals will be seeded 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th in each conference and will also qualify for post-season play. 

- The playoffs will consist of four (4) rounds.  (Conference Quarterfinals – Best-of-5, Conference Semifinals – Best-of-5, Conference Finals – Best-of-7, CHL Championship Finals – Best-of-7). 

- The second round (Conference Semifinals) will consist of the victorious four (4) teams from each Conference’s Quarterfinals series’. (The highest remaining seed will face the lowest remaining seed in the semifinals and the middle two seeds will face each other) 

- The third round (Conference Finals) will consist of the victorious two (2) teams remaining from each conference, with Conference Semifinal seeding remaining in effect to determine home ice advantage.

- The fourth round (Championship Finals) will consist of the victorious two (2) teams remaining, one from each conference.  Home ice advantage in the Finals will be awarded to the club with the higher regular season point total, regardless of any earlier playoff seeding.

Should two (2) or more teams be tied in points for any seeding issue throughout the playoffs, the following tiebreakers will be used:  Most wins, then head-to-head
record, then goals for and against differential.