RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - APRIL 07: Sebastian Aho #20 of the Carolina Hurricanes shoots the puck during the first period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at PNC Arena on April 7, 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images)Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images

NHL Playoff Picture 2024: Bracket Predictions and Teams to Watch

Andrew PetersApr 8, 2024

The NHL's regular season is nearing an end, and the playoff picture is starting to come together.

While several teams have clinched a spot, many are still looking to earn a postseason bid in the final weeks of the season. The teams that have already established themselves as playoff entrants can't relax just yet, though, as seeding is still very much on the line.

In the Eastern Conference, the wild-card race is still on. Four teams are in the mix for a wild-card spot after the Tampa Bay Lightning clinched their playoff berth earlier this week.

Things are less complicated in the Western Conference, but the rest of the season still carries plenty of seeding implications. The Los Angeles Kings and Vegas Golden Knights provide the most interesting battle as the teams look to clinch the No. 3 seed in the Pacific Division. Whichever squad doesn't earn that seed will still get a wild-card slot.

Eastern Conference

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PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 06: Anthony Duclair #10 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates his third period goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG PAINTS Arena on April 6, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images)

Atlantic Division

1. Boston - 107 points (clinched playoff spot)

2. Florida - 102 (clinched playoff spot)

3. Toronto - 97 (clinched playoff spot)

Metropolitan Division

1. New York Rangers - 110 (clinched playoff spot)

2. Carolina - 105 (clinched playoff spot)

3. New York Islanders - 85

Wild-Card Race

1. Tampa Bay - 93 (clinched playoff spot)

2. Detroit - 84

3. Pittsburgh - 83

4. Capitals - 83

5. Philadelphia - 83

6. New Jersey - 79

7. Buffalo - 79

The Tampa Bay Lightning are one of the most interesting teams to watch in the East.

While they will be a wild-card entrant, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Lightning pull off an early upset given how they've played down the stretch. Tampa Bay has won 10 of its last 13 games and is peaking at the right time. One of the wins during that stretch came against the Boston Bruins, who the Lightning could see in the first round.

The Lightning faced a first-round exit in last year's playoffs after reaching the Stanley Cup Final the year before, and they're looking to avenge that loss.

The Florida Panthers came out of the East last year, and they're looking for similar results. While the team might not clinch the top seed in the Atlantic Division, that might be a good thing given it would avoid a first-round meeting with the red-hot Lightning.

Florida has had a rocky month heading into the postseason, but it still has all the makings of a Stanley Cup team.

Despite holding the best record in the NHL, the New York Rangers have just the fifth-best odds to win the Stanley Cup, per DraftKings Sportsbook. That slight could serve as motivation for the Rangers as they look to win their first Stanley Cup since 1994.

Predicted Bracket

Boston Bruins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

Florida Panthers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

New York Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Islanders

Western Conference

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DENVER, COLORADO - APRIL 07: Matt Duchene #95 of the Dallas Stars celebrates with Chris Tanev #3, Esa Lindell #23, Tyler Seguin #91, and Mason Marchment #27 after scoring against the Colorado Avalanche during the first period at Ball Arena on April 07, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Central Division

1. Dallas - 107 points (clinched playoff spot)

2. Colorado - 102 (clinched playoff spot)

3. Winnipeg - 100 (clinched playoff spot)

Pacific Division

1. Vancouver - 102 (clinched playoff spot)

2. Edmonton - 99 (clinched playoff spot)

3. Los Angeles Kings - 93

Wild-Card Race

1. Nashville - 94

2. Vegas - 92

3. St. Louis - 87

4. Minnesota - 83

The Dallas Stars are making their case to come out of the West stronger and stronger as the end of the season nears. Going 14-3 over their last 17 games has certainly helped that case.

The Stars lead the league in goal differential and are making a strong push to win the Presidents' Trophy. That certainly wouldn't guarantee a title by any means, as only eight winners of the trophy have also won the Stanley Cup, but Dallas seems poised for a big playoff run.

The Colorado Avalanche seem to pose the biggest threat to Dallas in the West, but a convincing 7-4 win from the Stars over the Avalanche on Sunday night should give fans some confidence.

Predicted Bracket

Dallas Stars vs. Nashville Predators

Colorado Avalanche vs. Winnipeg Jets

Vancouver Canucks vs. Vegas Golden Knights

Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings