We're on the home stretch, and the NHL playoff picture is really taking shape.
Since we last checked in one week ago, six teams have clinched post-season berths. Vegas was the first to book its golden ticket to the playoffs, with both the Lightning and the Panthers the latest to claim their spots.
While playoff spots in the West and Central are almost all spoken for, no one in the North or East has clinched just yet. That could all change Wednesday night...
Here's how the playoff picture is looking right now.
NORTH DIVISION
If the season ended today...
(1) Toronto vs. (4) Montreal
(2) Edmonton vs. (3) Winnipeg
What the playoff race looks like today...
Can the Jets put an end to losing skid?
The home stretch of the Winnipeg Jets' path to the playoffs is not a smooth one. Although the Jets' six-point cushion over the fourth-place Montreal Canadiens (and 12 above the fifth-place Calgary Flames) has them very much in contention with low risk that'll change, there is reason for concern here.
Over the past 10 days, the Jets have lost four straight games, been outscored 18-5, seen their reigning Vezina winner pulled twice and their top centreman benched for nearly an entire period, and lost a top-six forward to injury while dropping a rung in the standings.
Every season brings its struggles and period of tumult, and these teams in the North know that all too well. Facing hurdles like these down the stretch can serve as a wake-up call that steels a team in time for a tough post-season run, or it can lay the groundwork for an early playoff exit. After being eliminated in the first round (or qualifiers last summer) two consecutive years, these Jets are a team that we all know is capable of much more – as long as they can right these wrongs and get back on track.
“It’s going to be harder, that’s fine. You never want to go through a stretch where nothing goes bad,” said Jets forward Paul Stastny. “If it’s too easy, then that’s dangerous, because all of a sudden you hit a speed bump and you’re shell-shocked and before you know it it’s over. So maybe this is good (that) it’s happening now. Like I said, it’s not going to change right away. If it's the next game or the game after that, we’ve got to get back to figuring out the fundamentals that we’ve created as our identity on this team.
“And kind of stick with it. A lot of cliches here, but that’s just how it is sometimes. Not getting too worried about the end result but just focusing on, whether it’s period by period or even just five-minute segments. Be there to support each other and help each other out on the ice.”
Important upcoming games...
• If the Jets are to right the ship, Wednesday night against the Edmonton Oilers feels like a good place to start. Monday night's matchup was a disastrous affair for Winnipeg, a 6-1 outcome that exposed all the team's current struggles and served 'em up in prime time. The loss was particular painful considering the Jets and Oilers look poised to face off as the 2-3 matchup in Round 1. This is their final face-off before (likely) meeting in the post-season with significantly higher stakes. The odds aren't exactly in Winnipeg's favour: the Jets have lost six of eight matchups against Edmonton this season.
• Speaking of playoff previews... It's always fun when the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens match up, and we've been spoiled in that regard with the North Division as we look ahead to what is likely to be a first-round series between these Canadian rivals. Wednesday's contest between these longtime foes holds extra significance, as the Maple Leafs can officially become the first Canadian team to punch its ticket to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Their best shot Wednesday requires a regulation win over Montreal and a little help from the Ottawa Senators.
• For the Canadiens, Wednesday marks much more than a playoff preview between rivals. With the Flames and Canucks praying for a colossal collapse by Montreal, the pressure is on for the Canadiens to maintain their current six-point distance between their fourth-place finish and those on the outside. (And yeah, they're probably going to want to play spoiler for the Maple Leafs' clinching hopes.)
• The Vancouver Canucks are living on a prayer, but they'll need more than a Canadiens collapse if they're to pull off a miracle run into the playoffs. Currently 10 points behind Montreal and four behind Calgary, Vancouver's got five and six games in hand, respectively, over the two teams standing in their way. A win Wednesday over the Senators keeps that hope alive, and if their next two games against Toronto (Thursday and Saturday) go the same way their previous two did, that hope lives on further.
• The Oilers have had mixed results on the scoreboard of late but jumped into second place with Monday's dominant win over Winnipeg thanks the magical force that is Connor McDavid. Five goals and 12 points into his current four-game point streak has the captain up to 81 points through 46 games. Can he hit 100 on the season? He's got 10 more games, and at this pace down the stretch the answer is a resounding yes. The drive for 100 continues Wednesday in Winnipeg, followed by the final two instalments of this year's extensive Battle of Alberta on Thursday and Saturday.
EAST DIVISION
If the season ended today...
(1) Washington vs. (4) Boston
(2) Penguins vs. (3) NY Islanders
What the playoff race looks like today...
Caps vs. Pens: Who wins the East?
In a season that's brought much change, one thing has stayed the same: The Caps and Pens are battling it out, maintaining their status as one of the best rivalries in the game today.
Atop the East Division standings, the Washington Capitals are just a single point above their longtime divisional foes with one game in hand. Both clubs are on a hot streak, with Washington currently on a three-game win streak and a 7-3-0 record in their last 10. The Penguins, 7-2-1 in their last 10, are keeping pace and ready to challenge for the top spot.
The clubs appear to have made this a two-team race for the top spot in the division, with the New York Islanders losing ground and now sitting four points off pace in third and feeling the heat of the 62-point, fourth-place Bruins.
Important upcoming games...
• The battle for No. 1 seed in the East could come down to a pair of games between the Penguins and Capitals this Thursday and Saturday, the final two instalments of their season series.
• Three straight losses to the Capitals saw the Islanders lose their footing in the standings, and while they're still in playoff contention they cannot afford to get complacent. Of their final seven games, only one matchup – their season finale against Boston – is against a team currently in the post-season picture. Win their next games, a home-and-home against the hungry Rangers who are sneakily knocking on the door, and they can feel a little more comfortable.
• With three straight wins and a 7-2-1 record in their last 10, the Rangers are four points outside of the playoffs with six games remaining – all of which are against playoff teams. Win against the Islanders this week, and next week's matchups could get interesting.
CENTRAL DIVISION
If the season ended today...
(1) x-Carolina vs. (4) Nashville
(2) x-Florida vs. (3) x-Tampa Bay
What the playoff race looks like today...
Can Stars catch Nashville?
This season's realigned divisions and playoff format eliminated the wild-card races we're use to seeing, but the situation in the Central is wild-card intensity through and through.
With Tampa Bay and Florida both clinching playoff spots Tuesday night, following the lead of the Hurricanes who claimed their spot earlier in the week, the Central's post-season picture has just one spot left and this one's going down to the wire. Dallas is just two points behind Nashville for that final place, with two games in hand. Both clubs lost Tuesday night, with the Predators falling to Florida and Dallas to Carolina.
Important upcoming games...
• If Dallas is to step into the playoff picture by week's end, it'll have to start with a victory over their Stanley Cup Final foes in Tampa Bay Thursday night and end with a victory over the team they're trying to catch in Nashville. So, no pressure.
• Nashville has a three-day break before Saturday's contest with Dallas, the final meeting of the season between these two clubs. The Predators have the easier strength of schedule to close out 2020-21, with a pair of games against Columbus next week their best shot at securing that fourth-place finish with some separation in the standings.
• Things have been pretty crowded atop the Central, but the Hurricanes have an opportunity to separate themselves from the pack down the stretch starting with a game against Detroit Thursday night and versus Columbus Saturday. Of their remaining seven remaining games, just one opponent is currently in playoff position: Nashville.
WEST DIVISION
If the season ended today...
(1) x-Vegas vs. (4) St. Louis
(2) x-Colorado vs. (3) x-Minnesota
What the playoff race looks like today...
Can Vegas, Minnesota keep their streaks alive?
There's getting hot down the stretch, and then there's what the Vegas Golden Knights and Minnesota Wild are doing. The Golden Knights' latest victory, a 5-1 win over Anaheim, was their ninth consecutive win which is a franchise record. The last time Vegas lost was April 7 against the St. Louis Blues.
Minnesota, meanwhile, has now won seven in a row – a streak that saw them officially clinch their playoff spot with Saturday's victory over the Sharks and make some history of their own. With nine games to go in the regular season, this is the earliest Minnesota has ever clinched.
So, how long can these win streaks go? If both clubs keep their respective streaks alive through the weekend, we'll see one of them end Monday when the Golden Knights head to Minnesota.
Important upcoming games...
• After back-to-back losses to the St. Louis Blues, the Colorado Avalanche face one of their last big challenges of the regular season when they take on Vegas Wednesday night. Win, and they're just two points off pace of the top spot in the division with a game in hand and a relatively easy schedule coming up. A four-game series against the Sharks starting Friday puts Colorado in good position to grab hold of the title of best in the West.
• Back-to-back wins put the Blues back into the playoff picture as St. Louis and Arizona take turns sitting in fourth place. The Blues have the advantage of having three games in hand over the Coyotes, but the misfortune of staring down a three-game series against the red-hot Wild starting Wednesday night.
• The Coyotes aren't exactly any luckier – they've got a back-to-back against Vegas Friday and Saturday.
