It wasn't so long ago that the playoff race was looking somewhat... simple. As the top four clubs in each division separated themselves from their foes, the line between contending and not was starting to look a little bit clearer.
We should've known better, of course. With battles atop each division and wild card-like races now getting really interesting, we're in for a run ride down the stretch -- just the way it should be -- with a few unlikely candidates putting in a bid to challenge.
Here's how the playoff picture is looking right now.
NORTH DIVISION
If the season ended today...
(1) Toronto vs. (4) Montreal
(2) Winnipeg vs. (3) Edmonton
What the playoff race looks like today...
Team to watch: Vancouver Canucks
So you're saying there's a chance.
After dealing with a massive COVID-19 outbreak among players, staff and their families that sidelined the Vancouver Canucks for three weeks, Sunday night's return to the ice was a victory in itself. The emotional 3-2 overtime win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, led by captain Bo Horvat's pair of clutch goals, Tyler Myers' marathon minutes and Braden Holtby's absolutely heroic performance in net, had a fairytale feel to it. Now, with another (more decisive) win over the division-leading Leafs in hand after Tuesday's victory, we can't help but think it...
Playoffs?! If we thought two straight victories for these post-COVID Canucks was a great story, just think about what a stretch run would feel like.
As unlikely as a push for the post-season may seem, considering the state of the team and their jam-packed schedule, it's not out of the question. They're now two wins into a stretch of 19 games in 32 days to close out the regular season (a marathon and a sprint) with the odds stacked against them.
With 39 points through 39 games this season, the 18-18-3 Canucks are eight points behind the 19-15-9 Montreal Canadiens for that fourth playoff spot in the North, with four games in hand and a four-game stint against the Ottawa Senators starting Thursday. After that, the uphill battle gets a whole lot steeper with two games remaining against Toronto, two against Winnipeg, five versus Edmonton and four against Calgary to close out the regular season that could very well become a battle for fourth place if Montreal continues to struggle.
So yeah, we're saying there's a chance.
The only team they don't play is the very team they're chasing: Montreal. And while the clubs won't go head-to-head again, they'll no doubt be watching each other from afar. Should the Canadiens keep cooling off at the worst time, things could get interesting.
Important upcoming games...
• After splitting last week's two-game showdown in Montreal, the Canadiens and Flames meet again for a three-game stint out West. The battle between the North's fourth- and fifth-place clubs starts with a back-to-back Friday and Saturday, followed by what will be their final meeting Monday night.
If Montreal is to widen what is currently a six-point gap between themselves and the fifth-place Flames (and essentially shut the door on Vancouver's playoff hopes in the process), they'll have to do so without their starting netminder. After an early exit from Monday's matchup against the Edmonton Oilers due to a collision with Alex Chiasson, Carey Price was ruled out for at least one week as he goes through concussion protocol.
• Before this weekend's Canadiens-Flames series can begin, however, Montreal's got another date with the Oilers Wednesday night. The Canadiens' offence has stalled of late – they've been shutout twice in the last six games and lost seven of 11 games in April – and based on Monday's third-period collapse, the club brought its offensive woes west after being held scoreless Saturday against Ottawa. They'll no doubt be eager to correct things Wednesday night in Edmonton to avoid three straight losses and hold on tight to that final Canadian playoff spot.
• Currently sitting atop the North Division, the Maple Leafs are cooling off at the wrong time. And that goaltending conundrum that appeared after Frederik Andersen was injured and before Jack Campbell got hot? It's back. With a pair of games against the second-place Jets and just four points separating them, their place atop the division is at risk.
After ushering in the month of April with five straight wins, the Maple Leafs have stumbled since trade deadline day and the loss of do-it-all forward Zach Hyman hurts. A five-game losing skid, including this week's pair of losses to Vancouver, doesn't necessarily put their playoff hopes at risk, but it does raise questions about whether this club can regain its dominance down the stretch and sort out what is looking like a complicated situation in the crease. Help is on the way, with deadline acquisition Nick Foligno slated to join the club against the Jets this weekend.
EAST DIVISION
If the season ended today...
(1) Washington vs. (4) Boston
(2) NY Islanders vs. (3) Pittsburgh
What the playoff race looks like today...
Team to watch: Boston Bruins
You know you're looking at a tough division when the Atlantic-topping Boston Bruins are the fourth-place team. Only, last week's bubble team looks like its old dominant self now thanks to a string of five straight wins -- including back-to-back victories over the Islanders and a decisive W over Washington.
This recent string of success saw starting goalie Tuukka Rask back in net and in fine form after being sidelined for much of March and the first half of April. Another key to success here? Taylor Hall. The club is undefeated since acquiring him from Buffalo at the deadline, and the winger is thriving in his new home with two goals and three points in his five games as a Bruin. The only games he hasn't registered a point in are Boston's two matchups against the Sabres. Considering four of Boston's remaining 12 games are against Buffalo, it's a safe bet that moment will come.
Important upcoming games...
• Thursday's meeting between the Capitals and Islanders kicks off a three-game series between the top two teams in the East with first place on the line. Washington and New York have identical 29-13-4 records for 62 points apiece, meaning this three-game head-to-head (their final meetings this season) will be one to watch.
• The fight for first place in the East is not a two-team battle, however. With 61 points through 46 games, the 29-14-3 Pittsburgh Penguins are just a single point off pace. Another two games against the newly eliminated New Jersey Devils (after just barely eking out a victory in Tuesday's wild affair) should see them at least keep pace, if not leapfrog into first place altogether this weekend.
• Depending on how Pittsburgh (vs. New Jersey) and Boston (vs. Buffalo) fare in their next two games, respectively, we could have an interesting pair of games between the Penguins and Bruins coming up when the third- and fourth-place teams meet Sunday and Tuesday with plenty of playoff implications on the line.
CENTRAL DIVISION
If the season ended today...
(1) Carolina vs. (4) Nashville
(2) Florida vs. (3) Tampa Bay
What the playoff race looks like today...
Team to watch: Dallas Stars
Last year's Stanley Cup runners-up have run into just about every hurdle this season. Between a COVID-19 outbreak that delayed their start to the season and a winter storm that wreaked havoc on their schedule upon their return, the odds have been stacked against the Dallas Stars from the start. Add in a slew of injuries to key players like Tyler Seguin, Ben Bishop, and Alexander Radulov, and 2021 has not been kind.
This team, built on a foundation of brilliant defenders and getting an offensive jolt from the trio of Joe Pavelski, Roope Hintz and rookie Jason Robertson, is now poised to jump into playoff position thanks to a four-game win streak that has them just one point behind the Nashville Predators with two games in hand.
Important upcoming games...
• A pair of winnable games against the Detroit Red Wings Thursday and Saturday sets up what will be a huge week next week for the Stars that will see them embark on back-to-back matchups with the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday and Tuesday followed by a contest with the Tampa Bay Lightning (Thursday) and the Predators (Saturday).
• The Predators, meanwhile, will be fighting to hang on to their fourth-place position with what's looking like a string of must-wins down the stretch. A battle with the Blackhawks Wednesday night, followed by its sequel on Friday, will be key in holding off surges from Chicago and Dallas.
• Atop the Central Division, another battle takes place. The Hurricanes, Panthers and Lightning have been jockeying for position, those top-three spots changing on a near-nightly basis. We're in for a treat when Carolina and Florida go head-to-head Thursday and Saturday with first place on the line.
WEST DIVISION
If the season ended today...
(1) Vegas vs. (4) Arizona
(2) Colorado vs. (3) Minnesota
What the playoff race looks like today...
Team(s) to watch: St. Louis Blues & Arizona Coyotes
Remember that seven-game playoff-like series between the Blues and Coyotes back in February? With COVID-19 protocols affecting the schedule at the time, we were treated to an early-season glimpse of playoff hockey.
The Coyotes won that seven-game series by a slim margin of four games to three. Two months later, we've got another all-out battle between these foes who met for the eighth and final time on Saturday (the Coyotes won that, too). Just a single point separates these two teams, serving as the difference between being in the post-season picture and not. Depending on the night, the West Division standings show one atop the other in the standings for that fourth-place spot.
Important upcoming games...
• If the Blues, who have three games in hand over Arizona, are to take their turn leapfrogging the Coyotes, it won't be an easy feat. Two games against Colorado Thursday and Saturday are followed by four against Minnesota to close out the month.
• The Coyotes, on the other hand, must take advantage of some winnable upcoming games to try to create some separation. After Wednesday's tough contest against the Wild, the Kings (Saturday) and Sharks (Monday, Wednesday) await.
• Atop the division, the Golden Knights have the opportunity to become the first team to officially clinch a playoff spot when they take on the Sharks Wednesday night.
• As Vegas and Colorado continue to jockey for position and the title of best in the West, a pair of meetings between the two elite clubs to open next week will be must-watch.
