The final weekend of the regular season is in the books, and the NHL’s playoff picture is almost complete.
In the Eastern Conference, seven of eight playoff berths are spoken for but only one series is set in stone as we wait to see how the top of the Atlantic Division and the bottom of the wild-card race shake out.
In the Western Conference, the Winnipeg Jets clinched the Presidents' Trophy on Sunday, the league’s top regular-season team claiming the crown by way of the Washington Capitals’ loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets earlier in the day. While both divisions are locked up in the west, and first-round series with them, both wild-card spots remain up for grabs.
With just four days remaining in the regular season, and two more Canadian teams on the brink of playoff runs, all eyes are on two of the league’s hottest teams down the stretch: Montreal in the East, and Calgary in the West. The Canadiens can clinch their playoff spot Monday night, but the puzzle is a little more complicated for Calgary. Here's a look at the standings and what needs to happen for both clubs to land in the post-season.
Montreal enters win-and-you’re-in territory
With a three-point lead over the streaking Columbus Blue Jackets and two games to go, the Montreal Canadiens are one win away from the post-season. A win in any fashion over the visiting Chicago Blackhawks on Monday night locks them into the second and final wild-card spot — and a first-round date with the Eastern Conference-topping Capitals.
Anything less than two points for Montreal on Monday night opens the door for the Blue Jackets — who have won four straight games, including back-to-back matchups against a short-handed Capitals squad — to catch them. The Canadiens will close out their season Wednesday at home against Carolina.
Atlantic Division seeding still a puzzle
The Toronto Maple Leafs clinched a top-two spot in the Atlantic Division over the weekend, and home-ice advantage for at least the first round to go with it, and the Tampa Bay Lightning could do the same Monday night without even hitting the ice. If the New York Rangers defeat the Florida Panthers in regulation Monday, the defending champs would lock into the No. 3 seed, leaving the Maple Leafs and Lightning in a two-team battle for the top two spots. The Maple Leafs need just a single point in their final two games (Tuesday against Buffalo, Thursday versus Detroit) to secure their spot atop the division.
With a game in hand, can Flames sneak into wild-card spot?
The no-quit Calgary Flames have been on a wild ride down the stretch, and it’s not over yet. Their 5-2 win over San Jose on Sunday kept their hopes alive after the Wild earned a crucial two points Saturday against the Canucks and the Blues made things even more interesting with their shootout loss in Seattle. Adding to the intrigue is the fact the Flames have a game in hand over both Minnesota and St. Louis. None of the West’s wild card hopefuls play Monday night, but all three are in action Tuesday. Here’s a breakdown:
Minnesota: The Wild need just a single point against the Anaheim Ducks Tuesday night to secure one of the two wild-card berths. A regulation loss opens the door for both the Blues and Flames to snag their spot. A loss in any fashion for the Blues or Flames would also punch Minnesota’s ticket.
St. Louis: The Blues can lock up a playoff berth with a regulation win over the Utah Hockey Club. (Yes, the Flames could still catch them in points, but St. Louis would have the tie-breaker.)
Calgary: The Flames need to defeat the Golden Knights to stay in this race, but a win on its own won’t get them in. A Flames win any fashion AND a loss for either or both Minnesota (in regulation) and/or St. Louis (in any fashion) keeps Calgary’s playoff hopes alive and sets them up for a must-win matchup Thursday against the Kings. Alternatively, a regulation win for the Flames Tuesday AND an overtime/shootout win for the Blues still keeps the door open for Calgary to clinch in their season finale by way of the tie-breaker, as an additional regulation win for the Flames over the Kings would give Calgary the edge over the Blues.
Monday’s Kings-Oilers battle offers more than just a playoff preview
Twenty-four hours after the Edmonton Oilers officially punched their playoff ticket Friday night, the Vegas Golden Knights secured their spot as the Pacific Division’s No. 1 seed — and in doing so, officially locked in yet another first-round series between the Oilers and Kings.
This marks the fourth consecutive season these clubs go head-to-head in Round 1. The Oilers entered all three matchups as the No. 2 seed, and won all three of those battles. If the Kings are to flip the script this year, home-ice advantage would certainly help — and they could secure that Monday night against … yes, the Edmonton Oilers.
If the Kings can defeat the Oilers in any fashion on Monday, L.A. can lock in the No. 2 seed and home-ice advantage for Part IV of this well-established first-round rivalry.
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