Stanley Cup Playoffs 2018: Updated Standings, Bracket and Top Must-See Games

The New Jersey Devils are in the playoffs, and the Philadelphia Flyers are one point away from clinching a spot.

Both teams won key home games Thursday night, as the Devils held on for a 2-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, while the Flyers scored a late goal to defeat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3.

While New Jersey and Philadelphia's wins hurt the Florida Panthers' chances of earning a playoff spot, they did not knock Florida out of postseason contention.

That's because the Panthers got a late goal from Jared McCann, which allowed them to defeat the Boston Bruins. The 3-2 victory took the Panthers to 92 points, four fewer than the Flyers.

However, Florida still has two games remaining, and if they win both of those while Philadelphia fails to gain a point in its final game against the New York Rangers, and at least one of those victories arrives in regulation, the Panthers would steal the final wild-card spot.

Here's a look at the updated standings.

The Bruins were in a first-place tie with the Tampa Bay Lightning but had the edge in the standings because they had played one less game. However, that advantage disappeared once Thursday's matchup with the Panthers went final, as both teams have played 80 games.

The Lightning jumped back in the top spot because they have one more regulation or overtime victory (ROW) than the Bruins. If they two teams remain tied at the end of the regular season Sunday and Tampa Bay maintains the ROW advantage, the Lightning would take first place in the Atlantic Division and the Eastern Conference.

The Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-4 in overtime Thursday, and that point clinched a playoff spot for John Tortorella's men.

Jeffrey T. Barnes/Associated Press

The Nashville Predators defeated the Washington Capitals 4-3 Thursday night, which allowed Peter Laviolette's team to clinch the Central Division and the Presidents' Trophy.

The Predators, who lost in the Stanley Cup Final to the Pittsburgh Penguins last year, will have home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs.

The Colorado Avalanche had a chance to open a three-point lead on the St. Louis Blues for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference on Thursday, but they dropped a 4-2 decision to the San Jose Sharks. Saturday's game between the Blues and the Avs will determine which team gets into the playoffs.

The Sharks, Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings have all clinched playoff spots, but second and third place in the Pacific Division have not been determined. The same is true for the No. 1 wild-card spot in the Western Conference. The three teams will fill those spots are known, but the order has yet to be determined.

Key Games in the Final Weekend of the Season

All times ET.

Friday, April 6

Buffalo Sabres at Tampa Bay Lighting, 7:30 p.m.—The Lightning are fighting for first place in the Atlantic Division and the Eastern Conference. If they can beat the Sabres at home, they will gain a two-point advantage over the Boston Bruins. If they lose in regulation, the Bruins will jump back into first place because they will have a game in hand on Tampa Bay.

St. Louis Blues at Chicago Blackhawks, 8:30 p.m.—The Blues can move ahead of the Avalanche with a win against the Chicago Blackhawks, and while the Blues' game at Colorado on Saturday will be decisive, St. Louis is in need of confidence, and this game could give them some prior to the finale.

Dallas Stars at Anaheim Ducks, 10 p.m.—This game is vital to Pacific Division and Western Conference playoff positioning.

Saturday, April 7

New York Rangers at Philadelphia Flyers, 3 p.m.—If the Flyers win this game or extend it to overtime, they will clinch a playoff spot. If not, they will open the door for the Florida Panthers.

Ottawa Senators at Boston Bruins, 7 p.m.—The Bruins have lost three games in a row. If they can't beat the Ottawa Senators at home, the Bruins are unlikely to regain first place in the East.

Tampa Bay Lightning at Carolina Hurricanes, 7 p.m.—The Lightning will need this game if the Bruins beat the Senators.

Buffalo Sabres at Florida Panthers, 7 p.m.—The Panthers must win this game and the season finale Sunday to have a playoff opportunity. However, if the Philadelphia Flyers get a point in their game with the New York Rangers, the Panthers will be eliminated.

St. Louis Blues at Colorado Avalanche, 9 p.m.—This game will be for the No. 2 wild-card spot in the Western Conference. If the Blues beat Chicago on Friday, all they will need to do is send their game against the Avs to overtime to win the playoff spot. If not, they would need to beat Colorado to get into the postseason.

Anaheim Ducks at Arizona Coyotes, 9 p.m.—This game is vital to Pacific Division and Western Conference playoff positioning.

Dallas Stars at Los Angeles Kings, 10:30 p.m.—This game is vital to Pacific Division and Western Conference playoff positioning.

Sunday, April 8

Florida Panthers at Boston Bruins—If the Panthers beat the Sabres on Saturday and the Flyers did not gain a point against the Rangers, Florida is still alive for a playoff spot. The Panthers will have to win this game to earn that spot regardless, and one of their two weekend victories has to come within 60 minutes. The Bruins may have a shot at winning the division, so this game could be vital.

Current Playoff Bracket

Eastern Conference

Tampa Bay Lightning (1) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (wild card 2)

Boston Bruins (2) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (3)

Washington Capitals (1) vs. New Jersey Devils (wild card 1)

Pittsburgh Penguins (2) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (3)

Western Conference

Nashville Predators (1) vs. Colorado Avalanche (wild card 2)

Winnipeg Jets (2) vs. Minnesota Wild (3)

Vegas Golden Knights (1) vs. Los Angeles Kings (wild card 1)

San Jose Sharks (2) vs. Anaheim Ducks (3)