What’s at Stake in the NHL: Three Division titles, Connor Bedard lottery in play
The NHL season is winding down, with just two days of games remaining on the regular-season schedule. We’ve reached the point of the campaign at which some clinching or elimination scenario is seemingly in play every night, so we’ll keep you abreast on what to watch for each day between now and the end of the regular season.
After the New York Islanders clinched the final remaining playoff spot Wednesday: What’s at stake in the standings for Thursday, April 12? Plenty, actually, from three division titles to the Connor Bedard lottery.
– Let’s start with the Metropolitan Division crown. The Carolina Hurricanes (51-21-9) will clinch it if (a) they beat the Florida Panthers; (b) they get one point AND the New Jersey Devils (51-22-8) lose to the Washington Capitals; or (c) the Devils lose in regulation.
– The Devils will win the Metro if (a) they defeat the Capitals AND Carolina loses to Florida; or (b) they get one point vs. the Capitals AND the Hurricanes lose to the Panthers in regulation.
– Next up, the Pacific Division. The Vegas Golden Knights (50-22-9) will clinch it tonight if (a) they get a single point against the Seattle Kraken; or (b) the Edmonton Oilers (49-23-9) lose to the San Jose Sharks.
– The Oilers will take the Pacific if they win in any fashion AND the Golden Knights lose in regulation.
– Whichever team wins the Pacific will lock up the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference and a date with the Winnipeg Jets in Round 1.
– The Dallas Stars (46-21-14) will win the Central Division if (a) they beat the St. Louis Blues AND the Colorado Avalanche (49-24-7) lose to the Winnipeg Jets; or (b) they get one point vs. the Blues AND the Avs fall to the Jets in regulation.
– The Avalanche take the Central if they beat the Jets AND the Stars lose to the Blues in regulation.
– The Avs are the lone playoff team in action tomorrow. Unless the Central remains up for grabs after Thursday’s games, all the Round 1 matchups will be set by the end of tonight. No matter what, the Eastern Conference matchups will be.
– The lowly Columbus Blue Jackets (57 points) have two games left and thus still have a chance to “lose” the Connor Bedard lottery by accruing too many points. But it could be decided if the Jackets lose to the Penguins in regulation AND both the Anaheim Ducks (58 points) and Chicago Blackhawks (58 points) win tonight.
IF THE PLAYOFFS STARTED TODAY…
Western Conference
(P1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (WC2) Winnipeg Jets
(C1) Dallas Stars (WC1) Seattle Kraken
(P2) Edmonton Oilers vs. (P3) Los Angeles Kings
(C2) Colorado Avalanche vs. (C3) Minnesota Wild
Eastern Conference
(A1) Boston Bruins vs. (WC2) Florida Panthers
(M1) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (WC1) New York Islanders
(M2) New Jersey Devils vs. (M3) New York Rangers
(A2) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (A3) Tampa Bay Lightning