NHL Playoff Standings 2017: Current Bracket Matchups and Postseason Picture
The Ottawa Senators punched their ticket to the Stanley Cup playoffs Thursday night, and they took a big step toward getting home-ice advantage in the first round of postseason competition.
The Senators defeated the Boston Bruins 2-1 in a shootout, giving them a 96-95 edge in points over Boston. Ottawa is in second place in the Atlantic Division, and Boston is in third. If the Senators, who have two games remaining on their regular-season schedule, can maintain their edge in the standings, they will have home-ice advantage in the first round.
Even though the Bruins lost, they helped themselves by gaining a point. They have a two-point edge over the Toronto Maple Leafs, who are clinging to the No. 2 wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Maple Leafs dropped a 4-1 decision at home to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, which stopped them from from clinching a playoff spot. The Lightning and the New York Islanders are both trying to chase the Maple Leafs down.
Toronto has 93 points with two games remaining, while the Lightning and Islanders both have 90. The Leafs would need to lose both games in regulation, while either the Lightning or Islanders would have to gain four points in the standings.
If either of those teams ties Toronto, the Leafs own an edge in ROW (regulation and overtime wins), and that category serves as the first tiebreaker.
The Anaheim Ducks solidified their Pacific Division lead as a result of their 4-0 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. Even with the loss, the Blackhawks are locked in as the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, which means they will play the No. 2 wild-card team. If the Ducks hold on to their division lead, they will face the top-seeded wild-card team.
The two wild-card spots are manned by the Calgary Flames and the Nashville Predators. Both teams have 94 points with one game remaining, and if they remain tied when the season ends, the Flames will have the advantage because of their 41-39 edge in ROW.
However, the Preds could still catch the St. Louis Blues for third place in the Central. St. Louis has a 95-94 edge in points, but the Blues have two games to play while Nashville has one.
Likely Playoff Matchups
Two of the Eastern Conference playoff matchups are secure.
The Montreal Canadiens, who've clinched the Atlantic Division title, will face the New York Rangers in the first round. The Rangers are locked in as the No. 1 wild-card team in the conference. The Habs have home-ice advantage in the series as a result of winning their division.
The defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins will face the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Pens clinched home-ice advantage Thursday night as a result of their 7-4 victory over the New Jersey Devils.
The Washington Capitals clinched the Presidents' Trophy on Wednesday, and they will face the No. 2 wild-card team. That looks set to be the Maple Leafs, but it could still be the Senators, Bruins, Lightning or Islanders.
The other matchup is likely to be the Senators against the Bruins, but Toronto could still sneak in as the No. 2 or 3 seed if either or both those teams fail in the final weekend.
While all eight Western Conference playoff spots were decided Sunday, none of the matchups are set.
Since the Ducks have a great chance of winning the Pacific Division, a matchup between the Edmonton Oilers and the San Jose Sharks is likely. The Oilers' 4-2 victory over the Sharks Thursday night has likely given them the home-ice advantage.
Anaheim has an excellent chance of facing Calgary in the first round, while Chicago seems most likely to face Nashville. However, the Blackhawks could also face St. Louis or Calgary if either of those teams ends up with the No. 2 wild-card spot.
The Minnesota Wild are locked in as the second-place team in the Central Division. They will face the Blues if they hold on to third place or the Predators if they can pass St. Louis.
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