There are still four teams vying for three remaining spots in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in each conference as the NHL’s version of musical chairs becomes more dramatic by the day.
Here’s how the post-season picture is looking as we head into Wednesday night.
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WESTERN CONFERENCE
If the season ended today:
(C1) vs. 
(WC2)
(P1) vs. 
(WC1)
(C2) vs. 
(C3)
(P2) vs. 
(P3)
Here’s what the Western Conference standings look like today:
Who’s in?
Since we last checked in, both the Minnesota Wild and San Jose Sharks managed to lock up their spots. It marks the sixth consecutive season in which the Wild have qualified for the post-season, although the team was also dealt a massive blow this week with the season-ending injury to defensive stalwart Ryan Suter.
Meanwhile, this will be the Sharks’s 20th post-season appearance since they broke into the league in 1991. In fact, the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins are the only teams with more playoff appearances than the Sharks since the San Jose’s inaugural season.
Wednesday’s clinching scenarios
It’s a typical, light Wednesday schedule but seven of the eight Western Conference playoff teams could be determined by the end of the day depending on the results—and the St. Louis Blues are at the centre of everything. Two points against the Blackhawks will see the Blues leapfrog the Colorado Avalanche for the final West wild-card spot. A loss, especially one in regulation, wouldn’t be the final nail in the coffin for the Blues, but it would be seriously detrimental to their chances.
What did I miss?
The Sharks fell in regulation to the Stars. It was San Jose’s third consecutive loss and all of a sudden home-ice advantage in the first round is anything but a sure thing. They’ve still got a two-point cushion on the Kings and a three-point cushion on the Ducks (although Anaheim has a game in hand) but the Sharks haven’t been playing like the team that went on an eight-game winning streak in March.
The Golden Knights and Jets beat the Canucks and Canadiens, respectively, to remain two of the hottest teams in the West. Vegas already has the Pacific Division locked up, but if it wins its final two games and Nashville drops its final two contests the expansion club could hypothetically win the Presidents’ Trophy. The Jets are the only other team in the West that could finish ahead of the Preds. Winnipeg is three points back of Nashville, who missed out on at least one point in the standings after dropping a heartbreaker to Florida in regulation.
Fun fact:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
If the season ended today:
(A1) vs. 
(WC2)
(M1) vs. 
(WC1)
(A2) vs. 
(A3)
(M2) vs. 
(M3)
If the season ended today:
Who’s in?
The Bruins, Lightning, Capitals, Maple Leafs and Penguins remain the only teams in the East to have clinched.
Wednesday’s clinching scenarios
None tonight as basement dwellers Ottawa and Buffalo are the only Eastern teams in action.
What did I miss?
The Blue Jackets, Flyers and Devils each had the chance to earn a lowercase “x” next to their name, but it was all contingent on the Panthers losing. They benefitted from a controversial goalie interference call that cost the Predators a last-second tying goal and preserved two points for them. A controversial goalie interference call in the NHL? Unthinkable!
Columbus, Philly and New Jersey still control their own destiny. However, that Panthers win stretches out the drama for at least another day and makes Thursday’s slate of games that much more compelling. The Devils beat the Rangers and the Flyers lost to the Islanders so now it’s New Jersey that occupies the first wild-card spot.
The Lightning pulled even with the Bruins at the top of the East standings, as Tampa Bay blanked Boston 4-0. The Bruins still have a game in hand, which is why they maintain the No. 1 seed. Whichever team wins the Atlantic will guarantee home-ice advantage thoguhout the first three rounds of the playoffs.
Fun fact:
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