The NHL playoffs kick off on Saturday, April 18, but there is still plenty of regular season action to come.
Here’s a look at each division and where each team in a playoff position stands:
Eastern Conference:
In the Atlantic Division, the Tampa Bay Lightning, Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens have secured a spot in the playoffs. The Sabres clinched the division title with 108 points and defeated the Lightning last Monday with a score of 4-2 to secure a spot in the playoffs. This was an important win for Buffalo, who will be returning to playoff action for the first time since the 2010-11 season.
The Lightning and Canadiens both have 106 points now and will face off against each other in the first round. Which team will get home ice advantage is still to be determined.
All three teams have just four regular season games remaining with every point crucial in the close race. The Lighting and Canadiens faced off against each other last week with the Canadiens securing a 2-1 win. This was a great glimpse into playoff action for fans who will be seeing these two teams playing against each other again soon, with the stakes much higher.
Looking towards the Pacific Division, the Carolina Hurricanes clinched the division with a 6-5 overtime win against the Bruins on Tuesday and currently have 111 points. Behind them are the Pittsburgh Penguins (98) and the Philadelphia Flyers (96).
The Flyers jumped back into a playoff spot with two wins a few weekends ago, including a 2-1 overtime victory against the Boston Bruins. They won against the New Jersey Devils with a strong 5-1 score and recently secured a playoff spot.
The Penguins and Flyers will play each other in the first round with Pittsburgh having the home ice advantage.
As far as the East Wild Card goes, the Boston Bruins are locked in on first place with 101 points and will face the Buffalo Sabres in the first round. The Bruins have much more experience in the playoffs in recent years than the Sabres. The two teams faced off against each other in March with the Bruins taking home a 4-3 overtime victory.
Western Conference:
Leading the Central Division and the entire league is the Colorado Avalanche with 117 points. The Avalanche clinched the Central Division as well as the Western Conference after their 3-1 win against the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday. The team recently won the President’s Trophy for the most wins in the entire league.
photo courtesy of @vegasgoldenknights on Instagram
The Dallas Stars currently sit in second place with 110 points and the Minnesota Wild in third (102). Both teams have secured a spot in the playoffs and will face off against one another in the Western Conference First Round. It is still to-be-determined as to who will have home ice advantage, so the race to secure second place is crucial for each team.
Looking at the Pacific Division, the Vegas Golden Knights sit in first place with 93 points. The Edmonton Oliers are right behind them with 91 points. The Anaheim Ducks currently sit in third place with 90 points and have a chance at surpassing the Oilers.
In the West Conference Wild Card, the Utah Mammoth are in first place with 90 points. The Los Angeles Kings are right behind them with 89 points, so it will be a tight race to first place with just a few days left before the playoffs.
Close races are within each conference and each wild card with the amount of time left to secure a playoff spot dwindling. Fans should keep an eye out on their favorite team in a spot of their playoff as there is still plenty of regular season hockey left and anything can happen.