The NHL playoffs are set to commence on April 18, with numerous teams still vying for postseason positions. Currently, the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars are the only teams to have secured playoff berths. As teams prepare for the postseason, several are closely competing for wildcard spots.
### Current Eastern Conference Standings
As it stands, four teams in the Eastern Conference are just six points away from the second wild-card position. Notably, both the Ottawa Senators and the Washington Capitals have positive goal differentials of double digits. Conversely, four teams are battling within five points for the final playoff position in the Western Conference.
If the playoffs started today:
– Eastern Conference: Five new teams would enter the playoffs: Buffalo Sabres, New York Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Boston Bruins.
– Western Conference: Three new teams would include the Anaheim Ducks, Utah Mammoth, and Nashville Predators.
Interestingly, four of the top six teams from last season, including the Winnipeg Jets, Washington Capitals, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Los Angeles Kings, would be absent from this year’s playoffs. Three of those teams won their divisions in the previous season.
### Projected First-Round Matchups
#### Eastern Conference Matchups
– Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Islanders
– The Hurricanes, who have reached the Eastern Conference final in two of the past three seasons, have a strong chance to advance. In contrast, the Islanders have been boosted by key players like Matthew Schaefer and Ilya Sorokin.
– Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
– The Penguins look to return to the postseason after four years, thanks to consistent performance by players like Sidney Crosby. The Blue Jackets have made a turnaround since Rick Bowness took over, boasting an impressive record since January.
– Buffalo Sabres vs. Boston Bruins
– The Sabres are on the verge of a playoff return for the first time since 2011, riding a strong momentum of 33 wins since December. Meanwhile, the Bruins have showcased impressive home performance this season.
– Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens
– Despite not leading their division currently, the Lightning remain favorites with a considerable playoff pedigree, driven by stars like Nikita Kucherov. The Canadiens, led by Martin St. Louis, are looking to challenge with a resurging team.
#### Western Conference Matchups
– Colorado Avalanche vs. Nashville Predators
– The Avalanche have demonstrated dominance this season, leading the league in both offense and defense metrics, while the Predators have rallied back into playoff contention after a mid-season slump.
– Dallas Stars vs. Minnesota Wild
– Two of the top five teams in the NHL, this projected matchup promises excitement. The Stars aim for their fourth consecutive Western Conference final, while the Wild have bolstered their lineup significantly.
– Anaheim Ducks vs. Utah Mammoth
– The Ducks are performing well amid a weak Pacific Division and are buoyed by young talent. The Mammoth, meanwhile, are entering the playoffs with strong underlying metrics indicative of a potential upset.
– Vegas Golden Knights vs. Edmonton Oilers
– This classic matchup has diminished intrigue as both teams struggle with inconsistencies this season. The Golden Knights are counting on players like Mitch Marner to step up for playoff success.
### Remaining Schedules
#### Eastern Conference
– Carolina Hurricanes (12 games): vs. Montreal, vs. New Jersey, vs. Columbus, vs. New York Islanders
– New York Islanders (11 games): vs. Chicago, vs. Dallas, vs. Florida
#### Western Conference
– Colorado Avalanche (13 games): at Pittsburgh, vs. Winnipeg, vs. Calgary
– Nashville Predators (12 games): vs. San Jose, vs. New Jersey
With just weeks left in the regular season, the competition is heating up as teams aim for playoff positioning. The next few games will be critical in shaping the landscape of the 2023 NHL playoffs. Teams will be looking to secure their spots and aim for a chance to compete for the Stanley Cup.
