mike brehm, usa today
The number of confirmed NHL playoff teams could jump from three to eight on Tuesday.
The Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs and Vegas Golden Knights, who didn't get the right combinations the past few days, have more avenues to clinch. They could be joined by the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers (see below).
Meanwhile, the St. Louis Blues can extend their winning streak to 10 games and move into the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference.
In the East, the Columbus Blue Jackets can move back into the second wild-card spot if they win and the Montreal Canadiens lose in regulation.
Washington CapitalsstarAlex Ovechkincontinues his chase of Wayne Gretzky's goal record in Boston. Boston College star Ryan Leonard is expected to make his NHL debut after signing with the Capitals on Monday.
TheNHL playoff standingsare a jumble with many teams in contention. Here's a look at the playoff picture:
Who's in the NHL playoffs?
Eastern Conference: Washington Capitals
Western Conference: Winnipeg Jets, Dallas Stars
Who can clinch today?
The idle Hurricanes will clinch a playoff berth ifthe Canadiens lose to the Panthers or the Blue Jackets lose to the Predators.
The idle Maple Leafs will clinch ifthe Canadiens or Blue Jackets lose.
The Lightning will clinch if they beat the Islanders and the Canadiens and Blue Jackets lose in regulation.
The Panthers will clinch if they beat the Canadiens in regulation andthe Blue Jackets lose in regulation.
See AlsoLast line of defense: Casey DeSmith putting together impressive run in Stars’ homestretch | Dallas Stars'It's Magical': Canes, NHL Open New Street Hockey Rinks In Apex | Carolina HurricanesTrump tariffs and statehood comments about Canada stir loyalty debate about NHL great Wayne GretzkyRyan Leonard to make NHL debut for Capitals against Bruins: ‘It’s been a dream come true. Not really something that you can put into words.’The Golden Knights will clinch if they beat the Oilers. They'll also get in if they get one point vs. the Oilersand either of the following happens: the Flames lose to Utah or the Blues lose to the Red Wings in regulation. A third option: Vegas clinches if the Flames lose in regulation.
NHL games today (Tuesday, April 1)
Washington at Boston, 7
Florida at Montreal, 7
Buffalo at Ottawa, 7
Nashville at Columbus, 7
Tampa Bay at N.Y. Islanders, 7:30
Detroit at St. Louis, 8
Calgary at Utah, 9
Edmonton at Vegas, 10
San Jose at Anaheim, 10
Winnipeg at Los Angeles, 10:30
NHL Eastern Conference standings 2024-25
(as of March 31)
Metropolitan Division
x-Washington Capitals (103 points)
Carolina Hurricanes (94)
New Jersey Devils (87)
Atlantic Division
Toronto Maple Leafs (94)
Tampa Bay Lightning (91)
Florida Panthers (91)
Wild card
Ottawa Senators (84)
Montreal Canadiens (77)
Sitting outside playoff position: New York Rangers (77), Columbus Blue Jackets (75), Detroit Red Wings (74), New York Islanders (74), Pittsburgh Penguins (71), Philadelphia Flyers (71), Boston Bruins (69), Buffalo Sabres (68)
NHL Western Conference standings 2024-25
(as of March 31)
Central Division
x-Winnipeg Jets (106)
x-Dallas Stars (102)
Colorado Avalanche (94)
Pacific Division
Vegas Golden Knights (98)
Los Angeles Kings (91)
Edmonton Oilers (89)
Wild card
Minnesota Wild (88)
St. Louis Blues (87)
Sitting outside playoff spot: Calgary Flames (82), Vancouver Canucks (81), Utah Hockey Club (78), Anaheim Ducks (72), z-Seattle Kraken (68), z-Nashville Predators (62), z-Chicago Blackhawks (51), z-San Jose Sharks (49)
x-clinched playoff spot; z-eliminated
NHL Eastern Conference playoff bracket
Here is how the Eastern Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended March 31:
Washington (M1) vs. Montreal (WC2)
Carolina (M2) vs. New Jersey (M3)
Toronto (A1) vs. Ottawa (WC1)
Tampa Bay (A2) vs. Florida (A3)
The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth.Key: M -Metropolitan Division.A -Atlantic Division.WC -wild card
NHL Western Conference playoff bracket
Here is how the Western Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended March 31:
Winnipeg (C1) vs. St. Louis (WC2)
Dallas (C2) vs. Colorado (C3)
Vegas (P1) vs. Minnesota (WC1)
Los Angeles (P2) vs. Edmonton (P3)
The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth.Key: C -Central DivisionP -Pacific Division.WC -wild card
When does the NHL regular season end?
The NHL regular season is scheduled to end on Thursday, April 17, with seven games.
When do the NHL playoffs start?
The NHL's Stanley Cup playoffs are scheduled to begin on Saturday, April 19.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NHL playoff bracket standings, who's in, tiebreakers, scenarios
