NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 26: Adam Fox #23 of the New York Rangers celebrates with teammates after scoring the game winning goal in overtime against the Philadelphia Flyers at Madison Square Garden on March 26, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images

NHL Playoff Standings 2024: Latest Odds on Wild Card Races

Michelle BrutonMar 27, 2024

Not only did the New York Rangers become the first NHL team to reach 100 points on Tuesday, they also became the first to clinch a playoff spot.

With the Washington Capitals besting the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 in overtime on Tuesday, the Rangers punched their ticket to the postseason solely by reaching overtime in their Tuesday tilt against the Philadelphia Flyers. Winning 6-5 was just the cherry on top.

Tuesday was a big night in the Eastern Conference, as the Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes and Boston Bruins also could have clinched playoff spots Tuesday night if the chips had fallen just right. However, for now, New York remains the only team to have checked that box.

The Rangers may be sitting pretty in Presidents' Trophy position, but on the other end of the spectrum, a handful of teams are still trying to claw their way into the postseason with one of two available wild-card spots in each conference.

The top three teams in each division comprise the first 12 teams in the playoffs, with the remaining four wild-card spots filled by the two next highest finishers in each conference, regardless of division. Therefore, one division in either conference could send five teams to the playoffs while the other sends three.

Let's take a closer look at the standings following Tuesday's action and see which teams have the best odds of sneaking into the postseason via a wild card come April.

Eastern Conference Standings

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SUNRISE, FLORIDA - MARCH 26: Charlie McAvoy #73 of the Boston Bruins defends against Evan Rodrigues #17 of the Florida Panthers during the second period at Amerant Bank Arena on March 26, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Atlantic

1. Boston Bruins (42-16-15), 99 points

2. Florida Panthers (46-21-5), 97 points

3. Toronto Maple Leafs (40-22-9), 89 points

Metropolitan

1. New York Rangers* (48-20-4), 100 points

2. Carolina Hurricanes (45-21-7), 97 points

3. Philadelphia Flyers (36-27-10), 82 points

Wild Card

1. Tampa Bay Lightning (39-25-7), 85 points

2. Washington Capitals (36-26-9), 81 points

*clinched playoff berth

Wild Card Odds

Lightning: 99.8 percent

Capitals: 65.7 percent

Detroit Red Wings (36-29-7), 79 points: 29 percent

New Jersey Devils (36-33-4), 76 points: 12.2 percent

Western Conference Standings

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Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images

VANCOUVER, CANADA - MARCH 23: Elias Pettersson #40 of the Vancouver Canucks celebrates after a Vancouver goal during their NHL game against the Calgary Flames at Rogers Arena on March 23, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)

Central

1. Colorado Avalanche (46-21-5), 97 points

2. Dallas Stars (44-19-9), 97 points

3. Winnipeg Jets (44-22-6), 94 points

Pacific

1. Vancouver Canucks (45-19-8), 98 points

2. Edmonton Oilers (43-23-4), 90 points

3. Los Angeles Kings (38-22-11), 87 points

Wild Card

1. Nashville Predators (43-25-4), 90 points

2. Vegas Golden Knights (39-25-8), 86 points

Wild Card Odds