TAMPA, FL - MARCH 27: Brayden Point #21 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates a goal with teammates Nick Perbix #48, Emil Martinsen Lilleberg #78, Anthony Duclair #10, and Nikita Kucherov #86 against the Boston Bruins during the second period at Amalie Arena on March 27, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/NHLI via Getty Images)Mark LoMoglio/NHLI via Getty Images

NHL Playoff Picture 2024: Latest Standings and Wild-Card Predictions

Michelle BrutonMar 28, 2024

On Tuesday night, the New York Rangers became the first NHL team to clinch a playoff berth. They handled their business by defeating the Philadelphia Flyers 6-5 in overtime, while the Washington Capitals helped out by beating the Detroit Red Wings 4-3.

As of Thursday morning, the Rangers remained the only NHL team to have punched its ticket to the postseason.

On Wednesday, the Boston Bruins could have clinched a playoff berth if they had defeated or lost in overtime to the Tampa Bay Lightning; however, the Lightning won in regulation 3-1. The Bruins are atop the Atlantic Division with 99 points, but the Rangers were the first team in the East to reach 100 points.

In the West, the Dallas Stars own the most points, with 99.

Twenty-eight of the league's 32 teams will take the ice on Thursday, including teams in wild-card position like the Washington Capitals, Nashville Predators and Vegas Golden Knights.

Let's take a closer look at the NHL playoff picture and wild-card predictions as of Thursday morning.

Eastern Conference Standings

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Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 19: Linus Ullmark #35 of the Boston Bruins celebrates a 6-2 win against the Ottawa Senators with teammate Jeremy Swayman #1 at the TD Garden on March 19, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)

Atlantic

1. Boston Bruins (42-17-15), 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 (40-25-7), 87 points

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

*clinched playoff berth

Western Conference Standings

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Panayiota Good/San Jose Sharks

SAN JOSE, CAMARCH 26: Scott Wedgewood #41 of the Dallas Stars celebrates a win with Ryan Suter #20 at SAP Center on March 26, 2024 (Photo by Panayiota Good/San Jose Sharks)

Central

1. Dallas Stars (45-19-9), 99 points

2. Colorado Avalanche (46-21-5), 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