The most exciting time of the hockey season is almost here! The Stanley Cup Playoffs are starting this weekend, where 16 teams will compete for the Stanley Cup. The playoff teams are almost finalized, with only one spot remaining and all first-round matchups virtually decided.
In the Eastern Conference, the Washington Capitals have secured the top seed. Their first-round opponent was expected to be the Montreal Canadiens. However, Montreal lost to the Chicago Blackhawks in overtime on Monday. Because of this, the Columbus Blue Jackets still have a chance for the final Wild Card spot in the East, but they need to win their last game and rely on other results to go their way.
The Western Conference playoff teams are completely set after the Minnesota Wild and Calgary Flames both clinched playoff spots on Tuesday. The Winnipeg Jets will be the top seed in the West after winning the Presidents` Trophy for the first time.
The playoff situation can change daily, so keep up with the NHL playoff race tracker for daily updates on team standings as the postseason approaches. The Stanley Cup Playoffs begin on April 19th.
NHL Playoff Seeding Explained
Here’s a reminder of how NHL playoff seeding works:
- 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 play the first Wild Card team.
- The second and third-place teams in each division will play 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 second tiebreaker. X = clinched playoff berth. Z = clinched best record in conference. Z* = 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
Current 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
Current 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
Elton Marrow 
Torin Vale