As the NHL regular season approaches its conclusion, teams are scrambling for playoff positioning while others are eyeing the coveted top spots in the draft lottery. With only a handful of games left, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Tonight, five games are on the schedule, each carrying significant implications for playoff hopefuls and lottery contenders alike.
In the Atlantic Division, the Toronto Maple Leafs are firmly in the playoff picture but face pressure from the Tampa Bay Lightning, who are eager to claim the No. 1 seed. The Leafs have had a strong season, yet they can still be caught by the Lightning if Tampa can secure a regulation win in tonight’s matchup.
Meanwhile, the New York Rangers find themselves in a precarious position. After suffering two heavy defeats, losing by a combined score of 9-1 in their last two outings, the Rangers need a victory against the Philadelphia Flyers to revive their playoff hopes. The Flyers, sitting fourth in the draft lottery order, are also keen to improve their draft position, making this an intriguing matchup.
Over in the Western Conference, the San Jose Sharks are currently holding the No. 1 spot in the draft lottery, four points clear of the Chicago Blackhawks. As the Sharks look to solidify their position, the Minnesota Wild are battling to maintain their second wild-card spot. They enter tonight’s action four points ahead of the Calgary Flames, who are desperate for points as the regular season nears its end.
The St. Louis Blues, who saw their impressive 12-game winning streak come to an abrupt halt against the Winnipeg Jets, are looking to bounce back against the Edmonton Oilers. St. Louis currently occupies the first wild-card position, just two points ahead of the Wild. The Oilers, on the other hand, appear to have locked in the No. 3 spot in the Pacific Division, setting up a likely first-round matchup against the Los Angeles Kings.
As for the Flames, their chances of breaking into the wild-card spots have dwindled, and securing two points against the Blues is crucial if they want to keep their postseason dreams alive. The Ducks also find themselves in a tight race, currently sitting in the No. 8 spot in the lottery order, making their final five games pivotal for improving their draft position.
With the regular season concluding on April 17, 2025, the playoff race is heating up. The NHL playoff picture is becoming clearer, but with so many teams vying for position, every game counts. The excitement will only intensify as teams push for the playoffs or the best possible draft picks.
Speaking of playoff races, the Wild Card system in the NHL adds an extra layer of drama to the postseason picture. The top two Wild Card teams from each conference earn a spot in the playoffs, facing the highest-seeded division winners in the first round. This format often results in thrilling finishes as teams scramble for valuable points in the standings.
As it stands, the Eastern Conference Wild Card race features several teams in contention, including the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings, who are both looking to secure a postseason berth. The New York Islanders and Buffalo Sabres are also in the mix, while the Washington Capitals, led by veteran Alex Ovechkin, remain a formidable opponent.
In the Western Conference, the Seattle Kraken are hoping to replicate their strong postseason run from last year, while the Calgary Flames and Nashville Predators are still in the hunt. The St. Louis Blues and Minnesota Wild currently occupy the two Wild Card spots, but with the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks close behind, the competition is fierce.
With only ten days left in the regular season, the playoff picture remains tight. The top three teams in each division automatically qualify, while the next two highest-place finishers in each conference will secure the remaining playoff spots. The race is on, and every point matters as teams battle for their postseason lives.
For the Montreal Canadiens, the situation is equally tense. After a strong showing recently, the Habs currently hold the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference with 85 points. Their path to the playoffs is becoming clearer, with an 87.2 percent chance of clinching a spot, according to MoneyPuck. However, they face tough competition from the Ottawa Senators, who are five points ahead, and the New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings, both six points back.
Montreal's magic number stands at seven, meaning they need to earn that many points over their remaining five games to secure their playoff berth. Their schedule includes crucial matchups against the Red Wings, Senators, and Maple Leafs, each game pivotal in determining their postseason fate.
As the Canadiens prepare to face the Red Wings tonight at the Bell Centre, the significance of this game cannot be overstated. Both teams are vying for the same Wild Card spot, making it a must-win for Montreal. While Habs fans are hopeful, they know that a loss could complicate their playoff aspirations.
In conclusion, as the NHL regular season winds down, the playoff races are heating up. Teams are fighting for every point, and the excitement is palpable. With the playoffs just around the corner, fans can expect high-stakes hockey as their teams strive for glory or a chance at the top draft picks.
