With the NHL regular season coming to a close on Thursday, Apr. 16, Stanley Cup Playoffs begin on Saturday, Apr. 18. The conferences are set, first round matchups are ready, and the most exciting playoff atmosphere in the world is just around the corner.
Starting with the fiery Eastern Conference, this playoff race was tight all season, but the best teams have clinched their spots and are headed to battle. In the Atlantic Division, the Buffalo Sabres (109), who were red-hot since the new year, are in first place and clinched the division. They will play the Boston Bruins (Wildcard #1), who have 100 points, in the first round. Beneath them are the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Montreal Canadiens, tied with 106 points, who will match up in Florida in the first round.
In the Metropolitan Division, the Carolina Hurricanes (113) have clinched the division and the entire Eastern Conference, and will play the Ottawa Senators (Wildcard #2), with 99 points, in the first round. Beneath them are the Pittsburgh Penguins (98) and the Philadelphia Flyers (98). Sid the Kid gets one last run at a Cup, and that first round matchup in Pittsburgh against Philly is sure to be interesting.
In the Western Conference, things look a little bit different. The Central Division is a stacked division, with the Colorado Avalanche (121) at the top. The Avs clinched the Central, the Western Conference, and the entire league, making them the locked President’s Trophy winner. They will play the Los Angeles Kings (Wildcard #2), who have 90 points, in the first round. Below Colorado are the Dallas Stars (112) and the Minnesota Wild (104), who will meet in Dallas for the first round.
The Pacific Division, or the “pillow fight” division, is fairly weak, with no team having clinched the division as of Apr. 14. Right now, the Vegas Golden Knights (95) are first in the Pacific, and will play the Utah Mammoth (Wildcard #1), who have 92 points, in the first round. Beneath them are the Edmonton Oilers (93) and the Anaheim Ducks (92), who will play in Alberta, Canada in the first round.
All this being said, the teams who were eliminated and won’t see the post-season include the Calgary Flames (77), Chicago Blackhawks (72), Columbus Blue Jackets (92), Detroit Red Wings (92), Florida Panthers (84), Nashville Predators (86), New Jersey Devils (87), New York Islanders (91), New York Rangers (77), San Jose Sharks (86), Seattle Kraken (79), St. Louis Blues (86), Toronto Maple Leafs (78), Vancouver Canucks (58), Washington Capitals (95), and the Winnipeg Jets (82).
