The Top Storylines to Follow in the Final Week of the 2015-16 NHL Season

We are in the final week of the 2015-16 NHL season, and there are still some major questions unanswered, including some teams who have not secured their spot in the playoffs.

Major awards are still up in the air, and a strong performance in these last games could make a difference. Career milestones are within reach—Jaromir Jagr needs two goals to reach 750—and teams at the bottom of the standings are positioning themselves for the draft lottery.

Here are the top storylines for the final week of the season.

What Teams Are Sneaking into the Playoffs?

Tom Mihalek/Associated Press

The Story: After a long season, the Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers are part of a close race for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. This race has tightened down the stretch mostly because of the Flyers' strong run and the Bruins' inability to score.

How Will This Turn Out? The Bruins play the Red Wings and the Ottawa Senators later this week. They have the easiest schedule, and the game against Detroit looms large—but Philadelphia has two games in hand and the Red Wings have one.

Possible Outcomes from the Story: Claude Julien has been the Bruins coach since 2007, has made two Finals appearances and coached Boston to the 2010-11 Stanley Cup. He could be fired if Boston misses the playoffs this week.

Jaromir Jagr Closes in on 750 Goals

Alan Diaz/Associated Press

The Story: Jaromir Jagr has enjoyed an outstanding year and his best statistically since 2006-07 in terms of goals. He is just two away from 750 for his career, a club so exclusive that only two men—Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe—have reached that incredible total.

How Will This Turn Out? Jagr may have to wait until next season, and he will become a free agent this summer. Based on his current level of production, it is extremely likely he will return in the fall.

Possible Outcomes from the Story: At age 44, it would seem impossible for Jagr to catch Gordie Howe and his 801 career goals. That said, he has scored over 100 goals since returning from his three years in Russia, and hockey's most iconic active player is clearly writing his own script.

Marian Hossa on the Verge of 500 Career Goals

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

The Story: Marian Hossa of the Chicago Blackhawks needs just one more goal for 500 in his NHL career. There have been 43 men to score 500; he will be joining an exclusive club. 

How Will This Turn Out? Chicago has three games left and Hossa is having a tough season—his goal total this year is down by nine from 2014-15—but he should be able to find the net once this week.

Possible Outcomes from the Story: Hossa is 37 and his contract runs through 2021. He will score 500 goals, but the downturn in productivity at this age may be a sign that he is heading into the final stages of a long and productive career. Next season will be important for Hossa, as a strong comeback will re-establish him as a quality performer.

Can Alex Ovechkin Score 50 Goals This Season?

Alex Brandon/Associated Press

The Story: Alex Ovechkin scored 50 goals last year and the year before, but he has 47 this year with three games remaining. His two goals against the New York Islanders April 5th got him closer.

How Will This Turn Out? The NHL has had a 50-goal scorer in every full season since 2003-04, but this year it is going to be close. Washington's final three games are against the Pittsburgh Penguins, St. Louis Blues and Anaheim Ducks—those are good teams that are unlikely to give up a hat trick on demand.

Possible Outcomes from the Story: Ovechkin had only two goals in his past five games, heading into the game against the Islanders, suggesting a hot streak was on the horizon. It remains a tall order, but the big Russian is a magical scorer.

Will Erik Karlsson Be the First Defenseman to Lead NHL in Assists Since Orr?

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

The Story: Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators is on the verge of winning the NHL assists race this season. The last defenseman to do it was Bobby Orr of the Boston Bruins in 1975. 

How Will This Turn Out? Karlsson does have competition—notably Joe Thornton of the San Jose Sharks. Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks is also within range—although he would need to have an enormous week.

Possible Outcomes from the Story: It is a strange year for Karlsson, a two-time winner of the Norris Trophy as the NHL's best defenseman. The Senators will not make the playoffs, and that may mean he doesn't win the Norris Trophy in a year he may well accomplish something no defender has done in 40 years.

Can Braden Holtby Win 49 Games?

Alex Brandon/Associated Press

The Story: Braden Holtby has a chance to set a new record for wins by a goalie in one season. He currently has 47 wins, which is far and away the leading total this year. The NHL record for wins is 48 posted by Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils in 2006-07.

How Will This Turn Out? The Capitals have three games left and Holtby should get most or all of them. He is in good position to tie Brodeur and could post the all-time record by the weekend.

Possible Outcomes from the Story: Holtby has 47 wins in an incredible year. It is possible for him to post 50 wins—an amazing total and something that could help him in Vezina Trophy voting. Washington may want to rest him this week, so that may not happen.

Can Anyone Catch Panarin for the Calder?

Kamil Krzaczynski/Associated Press

The Story: Artemi Panarin of the Chicago Blackhawks is finishing strong in the race for the Calder Trophy, which is given to the NHL's top rookie each season. After a pedestrian March, he is on fire in April—scoring 11 points in three games.

How Will This Turn Out? Through the end of March, other rookies had a story to tell. Philadelphia Flyers defender Shayne Gostisbehere and Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid were popular choices courtesy of some impressive performances throughout the year. Panarin may have put the race to bed with those three games to open April.

Possible Outcomes from the Story: The Chicago Blackhawks could be busy at the annual NHL Awards ceremony. Patrick Kane is going to win the Art Ross Trophy as leading scorer and could win the Hart Trophy as the league's most valuable player. If linemate Panarin wins the Calder, then it will be a strong showing for Chicago.