Skating Toward the Playoffs 🏒

02/23/2022

By: Jeff Yoder

An Inside Look at the NHL Playoff Race With 30 Games to Go

It’s about time, eh hockey fans? The NHL has taken a back seat through the NFL Playoffs, Winter Olympics and NBA All-Star events, but this is your moment. The NHL season is 2/3 over with roughly 30-or-so games to play. That sets us up for a six-week skate to playoff hockey, and some surprise teams are turning heads. A busy Tuesday night required some highlights, too. Here’s a look at the NHL playoff picture as we race toward the postseason.

 

NHL Playoff Picture

 

Eastern Conference

Metropolitan Division

1. Hurricanes (74 points)

2. Penguins (70 points)

3. Rangers (69 points)

 

Atlanta Division

1. Panthers (75 points)

2. Lightning (70 points)

3. Maple Leafs (68 points)

 

Wild Card: Capitals (65 points), Bruins (62 points)

In the Hunt: Blue Jackets (53 points), Red Wings (52 points)

 

Western Conference

Central Division

1. Avalanche (76 points)

2. Blues (66 points)

3. Wild (65 points)

 

Pacific Division

1. Flames (66 points)

2. Golden Knights (62 points)

3. Oilers (59 points)

 

Wild Card: Predators (62 points), Kings (59 points)

In the Hunt: Ducks (57 points), Stars (56 points), Canucks (54 points), Jets (52 points), Sharks (49 points)

 

Full NHL Standings

 

Last Night’s Highlights

Predators def. Panthers (6-4)

Blue Jackets def. Maple Leafs (4-3, OT)

Senators def. Wild (4-3)

Blues def. Flyers (4-1)

Islanders def. Kraken (5-2)

Ducks def. Sharks (4-3, SO)

 

Additional Storylines

NHL: Top Storylines Before the Trade Deadline (March 21)

NBC Sports: NHL Power Rankings: Flames Becoming Contenders, Predators Slumping