The most exciting time of the year for hockey fans is approaching. The Stanley Cup playoffs are set to begin this weekend, where 16 teams will compete for the prestigious trophy. The playoff lineup is almost complete, with only one spot remaining undecided, and all first-round matchups are now confirmed.
In the Eastern Conference, the Washington Capitals have secured the top seed and were initially expected to face the Montreal Canadiens in the first round. However, after the Canadiens` recent loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, the Columbus Blue Jackets are still in contention for the final Wild Card spot in the East. They need to win their last game and rely on other results to go their way.
The Western Conference playoff picture is now finalized after the Minnesota Wild and Calgary Flames both clinched playoff berths on Tuesday. The Winnipeg Jets will be the top seed in the West, having won the Presidents` Trophy for the first time in their history.
The playoff situation is dynamic and can change daily. Stay updated with CBS Sports` NHL playoff race tracker for the latest standings and potential matchups as the postseason approaches. The Stanley Cup Playoffs will commence on April 19.
NHL Playoff Seeding Explained
- The top three teams from each division automatically qualify for the playoffs.
- Each conference has two wild-card spots.
- The top division winner in each conference will play against the second wild card team, and the other division winner will face the first wild card team.
- The second and third-place teams within each division will compete against each other in the first round.
*Tiebreakers: Regulation wins are the primary tiebreaker, followed by regulation and overtime wins. Shootout wins are not included in the regulation and overtime wins count. X indicates a clinched playoff berth. Z signifies clinching the best record in the conference. Z* denotes the President`s Trophy winner.
Eastern Conference Playoff Picture
Atlantic Division
1. Toronto Maple Leafs | 51-26-4 | 106 points – X
Points percentage: .654
Regulation wins: 41
Regulation plus overtime wins: 50
First-round matchup: Ottawa Senators
2. Tampa Bay Lightning | 47-26-8 | 102 points – X
Points percentage: .630
Regulation wins: 41
Regulation plus overtime wins: 45
First-round matchup: Florida Panthers
3. Florida Panthers | 47-31-4 | 98 points – X
Points percentage: .598
Regulation wins: 37
Regulation plus overtime wins: 41
First-round matchup: Tampa Bay Lightning
Metropolitan Division
1. Washington Capitals | 51-21-9 | 111 points – Z
Points percentage: .685
Regulation wins: 43
Regulation plus overtime wins: 49
First-round matchup: Montreal Canadiens
2. Carolina Hurricanes | 47-28-5 | 99 points – X
Points percentage: .619
Regulation wins: 42
Regulation plus overtime wins: 47
First-round matchup: New Jersey Devils
3. New Jersey Devils | 42-32-7 | 91 points – X
Points percentage: .562
Regulation wins: 36
Regulation plus overtime wins: 40
First-round matchup: Carolina Hurricanes
Wild Card
WC1. Ottawa Senators | 44-30-7 | 95 points
Points percentage: .586
Regulation wins: 34
Regulation plus overtime wins: 43
First-round matchup: Toronto Maple Leafs
WC2. Montreal Canadiens | 39-31-11 | 89 points
Points percentage: .549
Regulation wins: 29
Regulation plus overtime wins: 37
First-round matchup: Washington Capitals
Columbus Blue Jackets | 39-33-9 | 87 points
Points percentage: .537
Regulation wins: 29
Regulation plus overtime wins: 33
Western Conference Playoff Picture
Central Division
1. Winnipeg Jets | 55-22-4 | 114 points – Z*
Points percentage: .704
Regulation wins: 43
Regulation plus overtime wins: 53
First-round matchup: St. Louis Blues
2. Dallas Stars | 50-25-6 | 106 points – X
Points percentage: .654
Regulation wins: 41
Regulation plus overtime wins: 48
First-round matchup: Colorado Avalanche
3. Colorado Avalanche | 49-29-4 | 102 points – X
Points percentage: .622
Regulation wins: 40
Regulation plus overtime wins: 45
First-round matchup: Dallas Stars
Pacific Division
1. Vegas Golden Knights | 49-22-10 | 108 points-X
Points percentage: .667
Regulation wins: 45
Regulation plus overtime wins: 48
First-round matchup: Minnesota Wild
2. Los Angeles Kings | 48-24-9 | 105 points – X
Points percentage: .648
Regulation wins: 43
Regulation plus overtime wins: 47
First-round matchup: Edmonton Oilers
3. Edmonton Oilers | 47-29-5 | 99 points – X
Points percentage: .611
Regulation wins: 35
Regulation plus overtime wins: 47
First-round matchup: Los Angeles Kings
Wild Card
WC1. Minnesota Wild | 45-30-7 | 97 points
Points percentage: .591
Regulation wins: 33
Regulation plus overtime wins: 42
First-round matchup: Vegas Golden Knights
WC2. St. Louis Blues | 44-30-8 | 96 points
Points percentage: .585
Regulation wins: 32
Regulation plus overtime wins: 40
First-round matchup: Winnipeg Jets
