As the NHL regular season nears its conclusion, excitement is building for the upcoming Stanley Cup Playoffs. With only two days left in the regular season as of April 16, 2025, the race for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference is heating up. The Montreal Canadiens find themselves in a pivotal position, needing just one point against the Carolina Hurricanes to clinch the second wild-card seed.
The Canadiens, who last made a playoff appearance in 2021 when they reached the Stanley Cup Final, are looking to secure their postseason berth with a strong performance against the Hurricanes tonight. If they manage to earn that crucial point, they will face the Washington Capitals in the first round of the playoffs.
On the other hand, the Hurricanes are coming into this matchup with a depleted roster, missing several key players. Coach Rod Brind'Amour’s son, Skyler, will make his NHL debut, adding an interesting storyline to this important game. Should the Canadiens falter and lose in regulation, the Columbus Blue Jackets will remain in the playoff hunt. The Blue Jackets need to defeat the New York Islanders in regulation on the final day of the season, Thursday, April 17, to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Tuesday night was a crucial one for playoff implications, as the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues secured their spots in the postseason, completing the Western Conference playoff bracket. In addition, the Toronto Maple Leafs clinched the Atlantic Division title, further solidifying their strong season.
As of April 15, the Eastern Conference standings show the Washington Capitals leading with 111 points, followed by the Carolina Hurricanes with 99 points, and the New Jersey Devils at 91 points. The Maple Leafs are at 106 points, while the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers have 102 and 98 points, respectively. The Ottawa Senators have also locked in their playoff position with 95 points, while the Canadiens sit at 89 points, just outside the playoff picture.
In the Western Conference, the Winnipeg Jets lead with 114 points, followed closely by the Dallas Stars at 106 points and the Colorado Avalanche at 102 points. The Vegas Golden Knights and Los Angeles Kings are also in strong positions with 108 and 105 points, respectively. The Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues round out the playoff teams with 97 and 96 points.
The NHL playoffs are set to begin on Saturday, April 19, 2025, and the anticipation is palpable among fans and players alike. As the regular season wraps up, the focus will shift to the playoff matchups and the quest for the coveted Stanley Cup.
The playoff bracket is shaping up, with the Eastern Conference teams already identified. If the Canadiens clinch their playoff spot, the first-round matchups would be as follows: Washington Capitals (M1) vs. Montreal Canadiens (WC2), Carolina Hurricanes (M2) vs. New Jersey Devils (M3), Toronto Maple Leafs (A1) vs. Ottawa Senators (WC1), and Tampa Bay Lightning (A2) vs. Florida Panthers (A3).
In the Western Conference, the playoff bracket would see the Winnipeg Jets (C1) taking on the St. Louis Blues (WC2), Dallas Stars (C2) facing the Colorado Avalanche (C3), Vegas Golden Knights (P1) matched up against the Minnesota Wild (WC1), and the Los Angeles Kings (P2) going against the Edmonton Oilers (P3).
As the final games of the regular season approach, every point matters, and teams are pushing hard for their playoff aspirations. The Canadiens' matchup against the Hurricanes is particularly significant as it could determine the fate of both teams heading into the postseason.
Fans are eagerly awaiting the results of tonight's games, especially the Canadiens-Hurricanes clash, which could set the tone for the playoffs. With the stakes this high, it's a thrilling time for hockey enthusiasts everywhere. Will the Canadiens secure their spot, or will the Blue Jackets have a chance to swoop in on the final day?
In conclusion, the NHL's playoff picture is almost complete, with just one wild-card spot left to be determined. The next few days will be crucial for teams fighting for their postseason lives, and the excitement is sure to carry into the playoffs starting on April 19. The countdown to the Stanley Cup has officially begun, and fans are ready for what promises to be an exhilarating playoff season.
