The NHL playoff races are heating up as only a few weeks remain in the regular season.

In the East, three playoff spots are left after the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers secured their places. The intense competition is particularly focused on the second wild card spot, with the Montreal Canadiens just four points ahead of the New York Rangers.

In the West, the Los Angeles Kings and Vegas Golden Knights have qualified, leaving a fierce battle for the remaining wild card spots. The Minnesota Wild’s recent struggles have opened the door for teams like the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks.

Reminder: NHL Playoff Seeding Structure

• The top three teams in each division qualify automatically for the playoffs.
• Each conference has two wild card spots.
• The top division winner plays the second wild card team, while the other division winner faces the first wild card team.
• The second and third-place teams in each division compete in the first round.

Eastern Conference Playoff Picture

• Atlantic Division: 1. Toronto Maple Leafs | 47-25-4 | 98 points - X 2. Tampa Bay Lightning | 44-26-6 | 94 points - X 3. Florida Panthers | 44-28-4 | 92 points - X
• Metropolitan Division: 1. Washington Capitals | 49-18-9 | 107 points - X 2. Carolina Hurricanes | 46-26-4 | 96 points - X 3. New Jersey Devils | 41-29-7 | 89 points

Western Conference Playoff Picture

• Central Division: 1. Winnipeg Jets | 52-21-4 | 108 points - X 2. Dallas Stars | 50-22-4 | 104 points - X 3. Colorado Avalanche | 47-27-4 | 98 points - X
• Pacific Division: 1. Vegas Golden Knights | 46-22-8 | 100 points - X 2. Los Angeles Kings | 44-23-9 | 97 points - X

The playoff scenario will shift on a daily basis, signaling that the chase for the Stanley Cup is intensifying!