The NHL playoff picture is starting to take shape just a few weeks away from the end of the regular season.
So far, 10 teams have claimed their spot in the playoffs, and several other teams are on the cusp, but some outsiders will be looking for strong finishes to the season to try to clinch a spot.
While the New York Rangers hold the best record in the league, the Carolina Hurricanes are currently the favorites to win the Stanley Cup via DraftKings Sportsbook. The Florida Panthers, Colorado Avalanche and Edmonton Oilers are just behind the Rangers with the best odds.
But anything can happen in the playoffs, and it won’t be a surprise to see some upsets this year.
Here’s a look at the updated NHL standings after Saturday night’s action.
Atlantic Division
Metropolitan Division
Wild-Card Race
Central Division
Pacific Division
Wild-Card Race
The Tampa Bay Lightning are one of the most interesting teams to watch heading into the final stretch of the season. The team has gone 10-2 over its last 12 games and has all the momentum as the playoffs approach. Currently, the Lightning have a projected first-round matchup with the Boston Bruins, and it could be an upset to look out for.
While the Lightning have clinched a wild card spot, the rest of the wild card picture in the East remains unclear. As it stands now, five teams are still in the mix for the East’s final wild-card spot.
The Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, New York Islanders, Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers are all separated by just a few points, and every game down the stretch will be an important one for those teams.
While that makes for a stressful finish for all of the aforementioned teams, it also makes things exciting for fans down the stretch.
Things are a little easier in the West with six teams already eliminated from playoff contention.
The biggest race to watch in the West is between the Las Vegas Golden Knights and the Los Angeles Kings. Per PlayoffStatus.com, the Golden Knights have a 50 percent chance of clinching third place in the Pacific Division, while the Kings have a 46 percent chance. Whichever team doesn’t earn third place will earn the final wild-card spot.
As the season winds down, the intensity will rise in the East as teams battle it out for the final wild-card spot. Most teams in the West can relax a little, but it will be interesting to see how seedings shakeout ahead of the start of the playoffs on April 20.
