The field for the Stanley Cup Playoffs is almost set. With less than a week remaining in the regular season, only four playoff spots are still undecided. Seeding is also very important, as many first-round series are still not finalized.
In the Eastern Conference, the Washington Capitals have secured the top spot. They are waiting to see who they will play in the first round, likely the Montreal Canadiens, one of the hottest teams recently. The New York Rangers and a couple of other teams still have a small chance to pass the Canadiens for the final playoff spot.
The Western Conference is more complicated, with four teams competing for the last two playoff spots. The Minnesota Wild, St. Louis Blues, and Calgary Flames are all in contention for wild card positions. The Flames are less likely to get in, but they did win against the Wild on Friday.
The playoff situation is changing every day, so keep checking back for updates on the NHL playoff race. We`ll provide daily updates on each team`s standing as the playoffs get closer. The Stanley Cup Playoffs begin on April 19.
How NHL Playoff Seeding Works: Key Points
- The top three teams in each division automatically make the playoffs.
- Each conference has two wild card spots available.
- The top division winner in each conference will play the second wild card team, and the other division winner will play the first wild card team.
- The second and third-place teams within each division will play each other in the first round.
*Regulation wins are the primary tiebreaker, followed by regulation and overtime wins. Shootout wins are not included in the regulation and overtime wins tiebreaker. X means clinched playoff spot. Z means clinched best record in the conference.
Eastern Conference Playoff Picture
Atlantic Division
1. Toronto Maple Leafs | 48-26-4 | 100 points – X
Points percentage: .641
Regulation wins: 39
Regulation plus overtime wins: 47
Projected First Round Matchup: Ottawa Senators
2. Tampa Bay Lightning | 45-26-8 | 98 points – X
Points percentage: .620
Regulation wins: 39
Regulation plus overtime wins: 43
Projected First Round Matchup: Florida Panthers
3. Florida Panthers | 46-29-4 | 96 points – X
Points percentage: .608
Regulation wins: 37
Regulation plus overtime wins: 41
Projected First Round Matchup: Tampa Bay Lightning
Metropolitan Division
1. Washington Capitals | 50-19-9 | 109 points – Z
Points percentage: .699
Regulation wins: 42
Regulation plus overtime wins: 48
Projected First Round Matchup: Montreal Canadiens
2. Carolina Hurricanes | 46-27-5 | 97 points – X
Points percentage: .622
Regulation wins: 41
Regulation plus overtime wins: 46
Projected First Round Matchup: New Jersey Devils
3. New Jersey Devils | 41-31-7 | 89 points – X
Points percentage: .563
Regulation wins: 36
Regulation plus overtime wins: 39
Projected First Round Matchup: Carolina Hurricanes
Wild Card
WC1. Ottawa Senators | 43-30-6 | 92 points
Points percentage: .582
Regulation wins: 34
Regulation plus overtime wins: 42
Projected First Round Matchup: Toronto Maple Leafs
WC2. Montreal Canadiens | 39-31-9 | 87 points
Points percentage: .551
Regulation wins: 29
Regulation plus overtime wins: 37
Projected First Round Matchup: Washington Capitals
Columbus Blue Jackets | 36-33-9 | 81 points
Points percentage: .519
Regulation wins: 26
Regulation plus overtime wins: 30
New York Rangers | 37-35-7 | 81 points
Points percentage: .513
Regulation wins: 33
Regulation plus overtime wins: 36
Detroit Red Wings | 37-35-7 | 81 points
Points percentage: .513
Regulation wins: 28
Regulation plus overtime wins: 33
New York Islanders | 34-33-11 | 79 points
Points percentage: .506
Regulation wins: 27
Regulation plus overtime wins: 32
Western Conference Playoff Picture
Central Division
1. Winnipeg Jets | 54-21-4 | 112 points – X
Points percentage: .709
Regulation wins: 43
Regulation plus overtime wins: 53
Projected First Round Matchup: St. Louis Blues
2. Dallas Stars | 50-23-6 | 106 points – X
Points percentage: .671
Regulation wins: 41
Regulation plus overtime wins: 48
Projected First Round Matchup: Colorado Avalanche
3. Colorado Avalanche | 48-28-4 | 100 points – X
Points percentage: .625
Regulation wins: 39
Regulation plus overtime wins: 44
Projected First Round Matchup: Dallas Stars
Pacific Division
1. Vegas Golden Knights | 48-22-9 | 105 points-X
Points percentage: .660
Regulation wins: 43
Regulation plus overtime wins: 46
Projected First Round Matchup: Minnesota Wild
2. Los Angeles Kings | 45-24-9 | 99 points – X
Points percentage: .635
Regulation wins: 40
Regulation plus overtime wins: 44
Projected First Round Matchup: Edmonton Oilers
3. Edmonton Oilers | 46-28-5 | 97 points
Points percentage: .614
Regulation wins: 33
Regulation plus overtime wins: 45
Projected First Round Matchup: Los Angeles Kings
Wild Card
WC1. Minnesota Wild | 43-30-7 | 93 points
Points percentage: .581
Regulation wins: 33
Regulation plus overtime wins: 40
Projected First Round Matchup: Vegas Golden Knights
WC2. St. Louis Blues | 43-30-7 | 93 points
Points percentage: .581
Regulation wins: 31
Regulation plus overtime wins: 39
Projected First Round Matchup: Winnipeg Jets
Calgary Flames | 38-27-13 | 89 points
Points percentage: .570
Regulation wins: 28
Regulation plus overtime wins: 33
