Things are coming down to the wire at the end of the NHL regular season.
We’re just a few days from the start of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs and the postseason races are down to the last lap. Yes, that’s right, it’s scoreboard watching time for fans of teams still on the playoff bubble. If you’re one of those fans, I’m sorry for your stress, but for those who are enjoying the chaos, welcome to the fun!
The 2022-23 NHL regular season officially ends on Friday, April 12, with just a handful of games left before the playoff cutoff. Many of the playoff spots have already been locked in by teams, but there are some really intriguing races still left with some potentially absurd finishes if things break the right way.
So, what are those potential scenarios? Let’s dive in to every possible clinching scenario left ahead of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs!
Eastern Conference
What playoff spots are locked up?
All eight spots for the Eastern Conference are filled. In the Metropolitan, the Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, and New York Rangers all have made the playoffs, with the New York Islanders making the wild card. In the Atlantic, the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Tampa Bay Lightning are playoff bound, with the Florida Panthers slotting in as a wild card team. The Bruins, also, have locked up the top spot in the Atlantic, with the Maple Leafs and Lightning set for a first round matchup as well.
What’s still up for grabs?
While there are no playoff spots currently open, the Hurricanes and Devils are still fighting it out for the top spot in the Metropolitan, with the winner getting the lower seed for their first round opponent.
Which teams are still in the race?
As of Wednesday, the New York Islanders knocked out the Pittsburgh Penguins to become the last team to make the playoffs. The Penguins had a game in hand, but lost control of their playoff destiny with a loss to the Blackhawks on Tuesday.
The Buffalo Sabres were in the mix until a loss to the Devils on Tuesday night. They have since been eliminated from the playoffs.
Western Conference
What playoff spots are locked up?
The Western Conference is a lot more clear compared to the East. All of the spots in the Pacific and Central Divisions are filled, plus both wild cards. Right now, the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, and Minnesota Wild have the three spots nailed down in the Central, with the Winnipeg Jets taking a wild card. The Pacific has the Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers, and Los Angeles Kings in the top three spots, plus the Seattle Kraken in the top wild card.
What’s still up for grabs?
The No. 1 spots in the Central and Pacific are still open given how close the teams are at the top. As of Wednesday, the Avalanche (105 points) have a one point lead over the Stars (104), with Colorado and Dallas having the same number of games played (80). The Wild now can no longer contend for a top spot.
As for the Pacific, the Golden Knights lead the Oilers by two points for the No. 1 spot with the same number of games played (81). The Kraken could also jump the Kings for the third spot in the Pacific if they win out, as Seattle has more regulation and overtime wins.
Which teams are still in the race?
The Nashville Predators eliminated the Calgary Flames from playoff contention after a shootout win on Monday. Then the Predators themselves were eliminated after the Jets beat the Wild. All eight spots in the Western Conference playoffs have been taken.
