Updated 2025 NHL Playoff Picture, Bracket, Matchups After Blues, Wild Clinch Spots

And then there was one.

The Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday to remain within striking distance of the Montreal Canadiens for the final wild-card spot in the NHL's Eastern Conference playoff race.

It is the only postseason spot still up for grabs in the final days of the regular season since the West was decided Tuesday with the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues each clinching wild-card spots. 

Those results eliminated the Calgary Flames from contention:

Minnesota defeated the Anaheim Ducks 3-2 in overtime thanks to Matt Boldy's game-winner, while St. Louis cruised past the Utah Hockey Club in a 6-1 blowout. Things won't get much easier for either team, though, as the Blues have to face the Winnipeg Jets and the Wild have to play the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round.

Winnipeg won the Central Division, while Vegas won the Pacific Division.

At this point, the only remaining drama in the playoff picture is whether the Blue Jackets will catch the Canadiens.

That it is even coming down to each team's respective final game is notable, as Columbus seemed out of striking range just a week ago. However, it has won five straight games in eight days to pick up 10 critical points in the closing stretch.

Montreal, on the other hand, has lost three straight.

Fortunately for the Canadiens, two of those losses came in extra time and gave them a combined two additional points. That is the difference in the standings at this point with a straightforward scenario remaining to determine the spot.

Montreal will be in the playoffs if it defeats the Carolina Hurricanes or loses in overtime on Wednesday. However, a regulation loss would mean the Blue Jackets controlled their own destiny for Thursday's game against the New York Islanders.

In that scenario, all Columbus would have to do is win in regulation to make the playoffs.

Buckle up because there will be no shortage of drama in the coming days as both teams eye a postseason berth.