As foretold, there were some fireworks in the Washington Capitals-New York Rangers game on Wednesday night, the first game following Tom Wilson's antics that led to Artemi Panarin being sidelined for the remainder of the regular season. (Oh yeah, the Caps won 4-2, which put them in first place in the East Division.)
There were also some results that tidied up the playoff races elsewhere, including the Winnipeg Jets punching their postseason ticket with a win over the Calgary Flames, and the Arizona Coyotes being officially eliminated following a regulation loss to the Los Angeles Kings.
Looking ahead to Thursday night's six-game slate, we'll see if the Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs can move closer to claiming the Central and North Division titles, respectively. The Canes will welcome the Chicago Blackhawks to Raleigh, and will be looking to extend their current five-game winning streak in the final matchup of the season series against Patrick Kane & Co.
Meanwhile, the Leafs will also be the home club tonight, hosting the Montreal Canadiens as a continuation of their reinvigorated rivalry; the good news for all hockey fans is that these two iconic clubs appear poised for a first-round playoff matchup as well.
Having reached the final stretch of the regular season, it's time to check in on all the playoff races -- along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2021 NHL draft lottery.
Note: Playoff chances are via Money Puck. Tragic numbers are courtesy of Damian Echevarrieta of the NHL.
Jump ahead:Current playoff matchupsRace for No. 1 pick
Points: 73Regulation wins: 28Playoff position: E1Games left: 3Next game: vs. PHI (May 7)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A
Points: 73Regulation wins: 27Playoff position: E2Games left: 2Next game: vs. BUF (May 6)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A
Points: 69Regulation wins: 24Playoff position: E3Games left: 4Next game: vs. NYR (May 6)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A
Points: 68Regulation wins: 23Playoff position: E4Games left: 3Next game: vs. NJ (May 6)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A
Points: 58Regulation wins: 23Playoff position: N/AGames left: 2Next game: @ BOS (May 6)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E
Points: 53Regulation wins: 15Playoff position: N/AGames left: 3Next game: @ WSH (May 7)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E
Points: 43Regulation wins: 14Playoff position: N/AGames left: 3Next game: @ NYI (May 6)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E
Points: 37Regulation wins: 11Playoff position: N/AGames left: 2Next game: @ PIT (May 6)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E
Points: 79Regulation wins: 27Playoff position: C1Games left: 3Next game: vs. CHI (May 6)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A
Points: 75Regulation wins: 29Playoff position: C2Games left: 3Next game: vs. DAL (May 7)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A
Points: 75Regulation wins: 24Playoff position: C3Games left: 2Next game: vs. TB (May 8)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A
Points: 60Regulation wins: 19Playoff position: C4Games left: 2Next game: vs. CAR (May 8)Playoff chances: 94.9%Tragic number: N/A
Points: 56Regulation wins: 16Playoff position: N/AGames left: 3Next game: @ TB (May 7)Playoff chances: 5.1%Tragic number: 2
Points: 50Regulation wins: 14Playoff position: N/AGames left: 3Next game: @ CAR (May 6)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E
Points: 46Regulation wins: 12Playoff position: N/AGames left: 2Next game: vs. DET (May 7)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E
Points: 45Regulation wins: 15Playoff position: N/AGames left: 2Next game: @ CBJ (May 7)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E
Points: 72Regulation wins: 27Playoff position: N1Games left: 4Next game: vs. MTL (May 6)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A
Points: 66Regulation wins: 30Playoff position: N2Games left: 5Next game: vs. VAN (May 6)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A
Points: 59Regulation wins: 22Playoff position: N3Games left: 4Next game: vs. OTT (May 8)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A
Points: 57Regulation wins: 20Playoff position: N4Games left: 4Next game: @ TOR (May 6)Playoff chances: 99.5%Tragic number: N/A
Points: 47Regulation wins: 19Playoff position: N/AGames left: 5Next game: vs. OTT (May 9)Playoff chances: 0.5%Tragic number: 1
Points: 47Regulation wins: 17Playoff position: N/AGames left: 3Next game: @ WPG (May 8)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E
Points: 41Regulation wins: 13Playoff position: N/AGames left: 9Next game: @ EDM (May 6)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: 3
Points: 76Regulation wins: 28Playoff position: W1Games left: 4Next game: vs. STL (May 7)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A
Points: 72Regulation wins: 30Playoff position: W2Games left: 5Next game: @ LA (May 7)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A
Points: 71Regulation wins: 27Playoff position: W3Games left: 4Next game: vs. ANA (May 7)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A
Points: 56Regulation wins: 17Playoff position: W4Games left: 5Next game: @ VGS (May 7)Playoff chances: 99.5%Tragic number: N/A
Points: 50Regulation wins: 18Playoff position: N/AGames left: 2Next game: @ SJ (May 7)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E
Points: 48Regulation wins: 19Playoff position: N/AGames left: 5Next game: vs. COL (May 7)Playoff chances: 0.5%Tragic number: 3
Points: 48Regulation wins: 15Playoff position: N/AGames left: 3Next game: vs. ARI (May 7)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E
Points: 41Regulation wins: 11Playoff position: N/AGames left: 2Next game: @ MIN (May 7)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E
No. 1 Washington Capitals vs. No. 4 New York IslandersNo. 2 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. No. 3 Boston Bruins
No. 1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. No. 4 Nashville PredatorsNo. 2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. No. 3 Florida Panthers
No. 1 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. No. 4 Montreal CanadiensNo. 2 Edmonton Oilers vs. No. 3 Winnipeg Jets
No. 1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. No. 4 St. Louis BluesNo. 2 Colorado Avalanche vs. No. 3 Minnesota Wild
The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order at the top of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. New for 2021, a team may move up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so only 11 teams are eligible for the draw for the No. 1 pick. Full details on the process can be found here.
Points: 37Regulation wins: 11
Points: 41Regulation wins: 11
Points: 41Regulation wins: 13
Points: 43Regulation wins: 14
Points: 45Regulation wins: 15
Points: 46Regulation wins: 12
Points: 47Regulation wins: 17
Points: 47Regulation wins: 19
Points: 48Regulation wins: 15
Points: 48Regulation wins: 19
Points: 50Regulation wins: 14
Points: 50Regulation wins: 18
Points: 53Regulation wins: 15
Points: 56Regulation wins: 16
Points: 58Regulation wins: 23
