The National Hockey League (NHL) playoffs are in full swing, and the excitement is palpable. With the regular season coming to a close, the top 16 teams in the league are now competing for the ultimate prize – the Stanley Cup. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the current NHL playoff standings and matchups.
Eastern Conference:
In the Eastern Conference, the top four teams in each division qualify for the playoffs. The first round of the playoffs is a best-of-seven series, with the winner advancing to the second round.
In the Atlantic Division, the Tampa Bay Lightning finished with the best record in the NHL and secured the top seed in the Eastern Conference. They will face off against the Columbus Blue Jackets, who secured the second wild card spot in the conference.
The Boston Bruins finished second in the Atlantic Division and will take on the Toronto Maple Leafs in what promises to be a highly competitive series. The other matchup in the Atlantic Division features the third-seeded Toronto Maple Leafs against the sixth-seeded Montreal Canadiens.
In the Metropolitan Division, the Washington Capitals finished first and will take on the Carolina Hurricanes, who secured the first wild card spot. The New York Islanders finished second and will face off against the Pittsburgh Penguins, who finished third in the division.
Western Conference:
In the Western Conference, the top three teams in each division qualify for the playoffs, along with two wild card teams. The first round of the playoffs is also a best-of-seven series.
In the Central Division, the Nashville Predators finished first and will take on the Dallas Stars, who secured the first wild card spot. The Winnipeg Jets finished second and will face off against the St. Louis Blues, who finished third in the division.
In the Pacific Division, the Calgary Flames finished first and will take on the Colorado Avalanche, who secured the second wild card spot. The San Jose Sharks finished second and will face off against the Vegas Golden Knights, who finished third in the division.
Predictions:
As always, predicting the outcome of the NHL playoffs is a difficult task. However, based on the regular season standings and current form, some teams are more likely to make it to the later stages of the playoffs.
In the Eastern Conference, the Tampa Bay Lightning are the clear favorites to make it to the Stanley Cup Finals. They finished with the best record in the NHL and have a deep and talented roster. However, the Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals are also strong contenders.
In the Western Conference, the Calgary Flames and San Jose Sharks are two of the strongest teams. However, the Nashville Predators and Winnipeg Jets cannot be counted out either.
Conclusion:
The NHL playoffs are always an exciting time for hockey fans around the world. With so many talented teams competing for the ultimate prize, it’s anyone’s guess as to who will come out on top. As we move through the playoffs, keep an eye on the current standings and matchups to see which teams will advance to the next round.
