The most exciting time of the hockey season is approaching. The Stanley Cup playoffs are about to begin, with 16 teams competing for the coveted trophy. The playoff lineup is almost finalized, with only one spot remaining and all first-round matchups virtually determined.
In the Eastern Conference, the Washington Capitals have secured the top seed. They are waiting to see who their first-round opponent will be, initially expected to be the Montreal Canadiens. However, after the Canadiens` overtime 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.
The Western Conference playoff teams are confirmed after the Minnesota Wild and Calgary Flames clinched their playoff spots. 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 our NHL playoff race tracker, which will be refreshed daily to show the standings of each potential playoff team as the postseason approaches. The Stanley Cup Playoffs start 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 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 regulation and overtime wins. X indicates a clinched playoff berth. Z indicates the best record in the conference. Z* indicates 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
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
