The New York Islanders have multiple ways to clinch a playoff berth on Monday night, which would leave just one opening in the NHL's postseason field.
Also Monday, the New York Rangers, Boston Bruins and idle Vancouver Canucks can clinch the three remaining division titles. The Rangers also can clinch the Eastern Conference title and the top overall record in the league and home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs.
Three of the teams battling for the second wild-card spot are in action. The Washington Capitals (87 points) lead the Detroit Red Wings (87) in tiebreakers and the Pittsburgh Penguins (86) by one point. The Philadelphia Flyers (87) are idle Monday.
Four nights remain in the regular season. Here's where the playoff races stand before Monday's games:
The New York Rangers, Carolina Hurricanes, Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning have clinched in the East.
The Dallas Stars, Vancouver Canucks, Winnipeg Jets, Colorado Avalanche, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, Nashville Predators and Vegas Golden Knights have clinched in the West.
Metropolitan Division
x-New York Rangers (112 points)
x-Carolina Hurricanes (111)
New York Islanders (90)
Atlantic Division
x-Boston Bruins (109)
x-Florida Panthers (108)
x-Toronto Maple Leafs (102)
Wild card
x-Tampa Bay Lightning (96)
Washington Capitals (87)
Remaining teams
Detroit Red Wings (87), Philadelphia Flyers (87), Pittsburgh Penguins (86), z-Buffalo Sabres (82), z-New Jersey Devils (81), z-Ottawa Senators (76), z-Montreal Canadiens (74), z-Columbus Blue Jackets (64)
x-clinched playoff spot; z-eliminated
Central Division
y-Dallas Stars (111)
x-Winnipeg Jets (106)
x-Colorado Avalanche (105)
Pacific Division
x-Vancouver Canucks (107)
x-Edmonton Oilers (102)
x-Los Angeles Kings (97)
Wild card
x-Nashville Predators (99)
x-Vegas Golden Knights (96)
Remaining teams
z-St. Louis Blues (91), z-Minnesota Wild (85), z-Calgary Flames (79), z-Seattle Kraken (79), z-Arizona Coyotes (75), z-Anaheim Ducks (57), z-Chicago Blackhawks (51), z-San Jose Sharks (47)
x-clinched playoff spot; y-clinched division title; z-eliminated
Here is how the Eastern Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended April 14:
The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth. Key: M - Metropolitan Division. A - Atlantic Division. WC - wild card
Here is how the Western Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended April 14:
The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth. Key: P - Pacific Division. C - Central Division. WC - wild card
If two or more teams are tied in points at the end of the regular season, here are the tiebreakers:
The NHL regular season is scheduled to end on April 18 with six games.
They're scheduled to begin on April 20. The last possible day of the Stanley Cup Final is June 24.
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