The NHL regular season is coming to an end, and with that, playoff spots and matchups are being made. The NHL has two conferences, Eastern and Western, and within these conferences, there are two divisions. The Eastern Conference has the Atlantic Division and the Metropolitan Division. The Western Conference has the Pacific Division and the Central Division. Each division has eight teams that are competing against each other for the playoffs, with points. Teams gain points through winning or tying a game. The top six teams by points in each conference secure their spot in the playoffs. This is called “clinching” a spot. The top three teams in each division secure their spot in the playoffs. The remaining teams battle for the four “wildcard” spots. There are two wildcard spots in each conference; teams from either division can secure these spots. Playoff brackets, the matchups for what teams will play each other in the first round, are made after the final wildcard spot has been secured.
Western Conference, Central Division:
The Winnipeg Jets clinched their playoff spot on March 25th, claiming the first playoff spot from the Western Conference, and second in the league. The Winnipeg Jets ended their regular season with an impressive +85 goal differential and 114 points, the highest in the league, awarding them the Presidents’ Trophy.
The Dallas Stars secured their playoff spot on March 28th, after beating the Vancouver Canucks by two goals.
The Colorado Avalanche clinched their playoff spot on April 3rd, after winning 7-3 against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Western Conference, Pacific Division:
The Vegas Golden Knights won their division with 107 points and secured their playoff spot on April 1st after the Utah Hockey Club won against the Calgary Flames.
The Los Angeles Kings clinched their playoff spot on April 6th after beating the Edmonton Oilers.
The Edmonton Oilers clinched their spot on April 12th, after beating the San Jose Sharks in regulation.
Eastern Conference, Atlantic Division:
The Toronto Maple Leafs won their division with 104 points and secured their playoff spot on April 2nd, after beating the Florida Panthers in regulation.
The Tampa Bay Lightning clinched their playoff spot on April 4th after the New Jersey Devils beat the New York Rangers.
The Florida Panthers secured their spot in the playoffs on April 5th after the Toronto Maple Leafs won against the Columbus Blue Jackets. This is the sixth-straight year the Florida Panthers have made a playoff appearance.
Eastern Conference, Metropolitan Division:
The Washington Capitals lead the Eastern Conference with 109 points and clinched their playoff spot on March 20th after winning against the Flyers. The Washington Capitals were the first team to clinch their playoff spot.
The Carolina Hurricanes secured their playoff spot on April 2nd after crushing the Washington Capitals 5-1. This is the seventh-straight season where the Carolina Hurricanes have held a playoff spot.
The New Jersey Devils clinched their spot in the playoffs on April 9th after The Philadelphia Flyers beat the New York Rangers 8-5.
Wildcard Eastern Conference
The Ottawa Senators clinched their wildcard playoff spot on April 9th, ending the team’s eight-year-long playoff drought. The last time the Ottawa Senators had a playoff spot was at the end of the 2016-17 season.
The Montreal Canadiens secured their playoff spot on April 16th after winning against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Wildcard Western Conference
The Minnesota Wild Secured their wildcard playoff spot on April 15th after defeating the Anaheim Ducks in overtime.
The St. Louis Blues clinched their wildcard playoff spot on April 15th after winning against the Utah Hockey Club 6-1.
The first round match-ups will be as follows,
- The Ottawa Senators will face the Toronto Maple Leafs
- The Tampa Bay Lightning will play the Florida Panthers
- The Washington Capitals will play the Montreal Canadiens
- The New Jersey Devils will play the Carolina Hurricanes
- The Winnipeg Jets will play the St. Louis Blues
- The Dallas Stars will play the Colorado Avalanche
- The Vegas Golden Knights will play the Minnesota Wild
- The Los Angeles Kings will play the Edmonton Oilers
Be on the lookout for the next games, starting at 6:30 on April 24th, 7:00 on April 25th, and 1:00 on April 26th!
