The NHL playoff races are really heating up with a month left in the regular season
The NHL is sprinting towards the finish line of the 2023-24 regular season, and the playoff fever is absolutely electric!
The battles for division supremacy and wild card spots are hotter than ever. With just about 15 games left, every single point is a golden ticket as teams duke it out for a coveted spot in the playoffs. Fans, get ready for a rollercoaster ride of emotions!
You’ll be glued to the scoreboard, anxiously updating the standings by the minute, as the playoff landscape shifts with each game. Don’t miss a beat of this thrilling race to the postseason – our NHL playoff race tracker at CBS Sports will keep you in the loop daily, ensuring you know exactly where your team stands in the hunt for glory.
Reminder: Here’s how the NHL playoff seeding works
- The top three teams in each division automatically qualify for the playoffs.
- Each conference has two wild-card spots.
- The top division winner in each conference will play the second wild card team, and the other division winner will play the first wild card team.
- The second- and third-place teams in each division will match up with one another in the first round.
*Regulation wins are the first tiebreaker, and regulation plus overtime wins are the second tiebreaker. Shootout wins are not counted in regulation plus overtime wins.
Eastern Conference playoff picture
Atlantic Division
1. Boston Bruins | 42-17-15 | 99 points
Points percentage: .669
Regulation wins: 33
Regulation plus overtime wins: 39
Current first-round matchup: Washington Capitals
The Bruins have hit a rough patch, with three losses out of their last four matches. Yet, they managed to claim victory against the Panthers this week – a significant win, especially since the Panthers are hot on their trail.
2. Florida Panthers | 46-22-5 | 97 points
Points percentage: .674
Regulation wins: 38
Regulation plus overtime wins: 44
Current first-round matchup: Toronto Maple Leafs
Just like the Bruins, the Panthers have hit a rough patch recently. But, the game’s about to change when star defenseman Aaron Ekblad makes his much-awaited comeback to the lineup. With so much talent on this team, there’s no way they’ll let this slump turn into a freefall.
3. Toronto Maple Leafs | 41-22-9 | 89 points
Points percentage: .632
Regulation wins: 29
Regulation plus overtime wins: 36
Current first-round matchup: Florida Panthers
The Maple Leafs have held the third spot in the Atlantic Division for the majority of the season, but it’s anything but secure. Watch out! The Lightning are sneaking up on them as we head into the thrilling final month of the regular season.
Metropolitan Division
1. New York Rangers | 49-20-4 | 102 points
Points percentage: .699
Regulation wins: 38
Regulation plus overtime wins: 46
Current first-round matchup: Tampa Bay Lightning
The Rangers are red hot, and topped the Avalanche in overtime on Thursday in what could be a Stanley Cup Finals preview. If goaltender Igor Shesterkin can be a consistent force between the pipes, this Rangers team can easily make a Stanley Cup run.
2. Carolina Hurricanes | 46-21-7 | 99 points
Points percentage: .669
Regulation wins: 38
Regulation plus overtime wins: 44
Current first-round matchup: Philadelphia Flyers
Since snagging stars like Jake Guentzel and Evgeny Kuznetsov at the trade deadline, the Hurricanes have been on fire! Sure, losing to the Penguins in Guentzel’s Pittsburgh homecoming wasn’t part of the plan, but Carolina still reigns as a powerhouse in the East.
3. Philadelphia Flyers | 36-27-10 | 82 points
Points percentage: .554
Regulation wins: 28
Regulation plus overtime wins: 32
Current first-round matchup: Carolina Hurricanes
Sean Couturier has finally stepped out of John Tortorella’s doghouse, it seems! But, after battling through a brutal lineup against the Eastern Conference’s top teams, the Flyers are about to tackle the Blackhawks, Canadiens, and Islanders next. This could be their golden opportunity to turn things around and steer the ship in the right direction.
Wild Card
WC1. Tampa Bay Lightning | 40-25-7 | 87 points
Points percentage: .604
Regulation wins: 32
Regulation plus overtime wins: 37
Current first-round matchup: New York Rangers
Get ready for a showdown because the Lightning is the team everyone’s hoping to avoid in the postseason’s opening round. With Tampa Bay securing victories in seven of its last eight games and Nikita Kucherov dominating the league in points, the excitement is palpable.
WC2. Washington Capitals | 36-27-9 | 81 points
Points percentage: .563
Regulation wins: 28
Regulation plus overtime wins: 32
Current first-round matchup: Boston Bruins
The Capitals just popped up out of the blue and snagged the second Wild Card spot for now. They might even overtake the Flyers for the No. 3 spot in the Metropolitan Division. Looks like the Alex Ovechkin we all know and love is making a comeback – he’s scored eight goals in his last six games!
Detroit Red Wings | 36-30-7 | 79 points
Points percentage: .541
Regulation wins: 25
Regulation plus overtime wins: 34
Current first-round matchup: N/A
The Red Wings really took a dive this past month, snagging only three wins since Feb. 29. Even with Patrick Kane’s electric performance, it might just not cut it for getting Detroit into the playoffs at this point.
New York Islanders | 31-26-15 | 77 points
Points percentage: .535
Regulation wins: 23
Regulation plus overtime wins: 30
Current first-round matchup: N/A
The Islanders are in a bit of a slump, winning just two of their last nine games. Looks like Patrick Roy, their head coach, might not make it to the postseason in his first year with the team.
New Jersey Devils | 36-33-4 | 76 points
Points percentage: .521
Regulation wins: 31
Regulation plus overtime wins: 36
Current first-round matchup: N/A
The Devils have truly flipped the script, even securing a win against the Maple Leafs recently. Deadline acquisition Jake Allen has been a rock between the pipes, boasting a stellar 2.50 goals-against average since joining the team.
Pittsburgh Penguins | 32-30-10 | 74 points
Points percentage: .514
Regulation wins: 27
Regulation plus overtime wins: 30
Current first-round matchup: N/A
In an astonishing display, the Penguins not only outclassed the Hurricanes, but they also triumphed over the Blue Jackets. Should Pittsburgh manage to chain together a series of victories, chasing a Wild Card spot suddenly becomes a thrilling possibility!
Western Conference playoff picture
Central Division
1. Dallas Stars | 46-19-9 | 101 points
Points percentage: .678
Regulation wins: 34
Regulation plus overtime wins: 42
Current first-round matchup: Vegas Golden Knights
The Stars have surged to the top of the Central, riding high on a thrilling six-game winning streak! Their latest victory? A 3-1 triumph over the Canucks on Thursday, where goaltender Jake Oettinger shone like never before this season. It’s an exciting turnaround we’ve all been waiting to see!
2. Colorado Avalanche | 46-21-6 | 98 points
Points percentage: .671
Regulation wins: 38
Regulation plus overtime wins: 44
Current first-round matchup: Winnipeg Jets
Nathan MacKinnon is on fire, making a spectacular push for the Hart Trophy with his jaw-dropping season. While the Avalanche’s impressive nine-game winning streak was recently halted by the Canadiens, it’s far from a reason to hit the panic button.
3. Winnipeg Jets | 44-23-6 | 94 points
Points percentage: .644
Regulation wins: 39
Regulation plus overtime wins: 44
Current first-round matchup: Colorado Avalanche
The Jets have dramatically slipped from the top spot in the Central, following a string of four consecutive losses. It’s been a turbulent period for Vezina Trophy frontrunner Connor Hellebuyck. However, there’s a strong sense of optimism that the Jets are poised for a comeback.
Pacific Division
1. Vancouver Canucks | 45-20-8 | 98 points
Points percentage: .671
Regulation wins: 39
Regulation plus overtime wins: 45
Current first-round matchup: Nashville Predators
The Canucks are dominating the Pacific Division, clinching victory in three out of their last five games! With Thatcher Demko sidelined, there’s still no need to hit the panic button. The team’s solid performance speaks volumes!
2. Edmonton Oilers | 44-23-4 | 92 points
Points percentage: .648
Regulation wins: 34
Regulation plus overtime wins: 42
Current first-round matchup: Los Angeles Kings
Connor McDavid and the Oilers are seemingly cemented in second place, spelling trouble for the Pacific team that ends up in third. The competition should watch out!
3. Vegas Golden Knights | 40-25-8 | 88 points
Points percentage: .603
Regulation wins: 31
Regulation plus overtime wins: 36
Current first-round matchup: Edmonton Oilers
The Golden Knights clinched an epic victory over the Jets this Thursday, marking their fourth win in the last five games! As the regular season races to a close, Vegas needs to ramp up their game if they’re aiming to secure that coveted third playoff spot in the Pacific Division. The stakes are high, and every game counts!
Wild Card
WC1. Nashville Predators | 43-26-4 | 90 points
Points percentage: .616
Regulation wins: 35
Regulation plus overtime wins: 41
Current first-round matchup: Vancouver Canucks
The Predators are on fire in the NHL, boasting a scorching 16-1-2 record in their last 19 matches. Filip Forsberg is tearing up the ice with an insane seven-game goal streak!
WC2. Los Angeles Kings | 38-23-11 | 87 points
Points percentage: .604
Regulation wins: 32
Regulation plus overtime wins: 36
Current first-round matchup: Dallas Stars
The Kings have dramatically slipped from their No. 3 spot in the Pacific Division, thanks to a stunning defeat at the hands of the Oilers and the Golden Knights outpacing them by defeating the Jets. Brace yourselves for an electrifying tug-of-war between the Kings and Golden Knights for the rest of the season.
St. Louis Blues | 39-30-4 | 82 points
Points percentage: .562
Regulation wins: 29
Regulation plus overtime wins: 35
Current first-round matchup: N/A
The Blues are still in the hunt for a playoff spot, but their recent defeat at the hands of the Golden Knights has thrown a wrench in their plans. They’re going to need a winning streak to jump ahead of Vegas in the crucial final stretch.
Minnesota Wild | 35-28-9 | 79 points
Points percentage: .5429
Regulation wins: 28
Regulation plus overtime wins: 32
Current first-round matchup: N/A
The Wild are in a thrilling chase, trailing the Kings by just five points for that coveted final Wild Card spot in the West. After a tough stretch, losing three of their last four, Minnesota turned the tables with a crucial victory over San Jose on Thursday. Talk about reigniting playoff dreams!
Conclusion
As the regular season narrows to its final games, the stakes for the NHL playoffs escalate. Teams across both conferences find themselves in a frenetic dash for position, with every game carrying the weight of potential postseason glory or despair.
The Eastern Conference showcases a fierce battle for wildcard spots, particularly as the Penguins show signs of a late surge. Meanwhile, in the Western Conference, the top teams of each division, notably the Stars and the Avalanche, solidify their standings, setting the stage for what promises to be a series of electrifying first-round matchups.
The quest for the Stanley Cup is heating up, and as teams vie for positioning, fans are treated to a spectacle of skill, determination, and the sheer unpredictability of hockey.
