With the trade deadline behind us the stretch run to the playoff has begun. The playoff picture is not yet set, and things can change quickly with a hot or cold streak. Let’s take a look across the league at some of the playoff races yet to be decided in this week’s playoff picture update.
Western Conference
A tight race in the Pacific Division
It is a three team race for the top seed, as the Los Angeles Kings and the Edmonton Oilers are behind the Vegas Golden Knights for the time being. The Oilers and Knights are poised to reprise their 2022–23 series, a contentious affair that sprang the Knights to a Stanley Cup. Given the Oilers current speed wobbles the Knights should be able to hold onto the top spot.
The Los Angeles Kings, like the Oilers, need to get their act back together, as their hold on their divisional spots is uneasy. This would set up an Oilers Kings first round matchup once again, prospectively the fourth time in a row. The matchup has gone the Oilers way each time, so no doubt the Kings would be as motivated as ever. The Oilers or Kings faltering would open the door for the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks, perhaps even both.
Winnipeg Jets poised to be first in the Central
The Winnipeg Jets have been incredibly consistent, and so it would be a surprise to see the first seed slip from their grasp. The Dallas Stars are not too far behind, but the Jets pace is almost impossible to gain ground on. The Stars loaded up over the trade deadline, along with past success a the reason they will be favoured over the Jets come playoff time.
In fact, the same might be said for the Colorado Avalanche. Bolstered by some aggressive trades, the Avs are slowly wrestling the third spot away from the Minnesota Wild. If the Avs finish third, an opening round matchup against the Stars or Jets would be devastating. If the Avs fall short, they might easily upset a top seed as a Wild Card team.
Which teams will earn the wild card spots in the West?
One of the Avs or the Wild is expected to nail down a wild card spot, leaving four teams on the playoff bubble fighting for the other spot. The Flames and Canucks are joined by the St. Louis Blues and the Utah Hockey Club in this pursuit. This team will likely have the chance to face the Jets in the opening round, the potential for an upset fully present.
Utah might be the most dangerous, a team with speed and youth coming together at the right time. The more veteran Blues have been hot, but have also suffered some key injuries recently. The Flames and Canucks sputtering recently has opened the door. All four teams have clear positives, and whichever emerges will have shown us even more to have done so. Such is exactly the guile needed to play the role of playoff underdog.
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division with a three-horse race
The focus is a three horse race between the Toronto Maple Leafs, Tampa Bay Lightning, and reigning champion Florida Panthers. Winning the division title means an easier first-round opponent, a massive win in this case. All three have geared up at the trade deadline for long playoff runs.
The Panthers are the conventional favourites, but with Aaron Ekblad suspended and Brad Marchand joining Matthew Tkachuk on the injury list, the claws are dulled. All three are expected back in the playoffs, and the Panthers remain among the favourites league-wide, their ability to win the division is diminished.
The Ottawa Senators loom in the distance, a possible opponent to the division winner. The Sens are as close to the Lightning as they are other other wild card hopefuls. The new core is poised to tread on fresh snows in what would be their playoff debut. After what seems to be a great trade deadline, the Sens are coming together and have many ingredients for playoff success.
Washington Capitals with a clear lead in the Metropolitan
The Washington Capitals have run away with the division, fighting with the Winnipeg Jets for the league lead. The Carolina Hurricanes are fairly comfortable in second, though their aura has diminished with the whiplash of the Mikko Rantanen situation. At the end of it all the Canes added Logan Stankoven to their core, along with extra draft capital, which is more on brand.
The New Jersey Devils are in an unfortunate situation with Jack Hughes out for the season and Dougie Hamilton out as well. Just as starting goalie Jacob Markstrom returned to action, the Devils were dealt these blows. For now they sit in third, though their grip will be tested without two of their best players. Two seasons ago, the upstart Devils seemed invincible as a young team winning a playoff series. This season had been going well, but a second straight season missing the playoffs is a real possibility.
Many teams still in the running for the wild card spots
There are a number of teams still in the running, and as much as three spots up for grabs. The Sens seem to be pulling away from the pack, the Devils falling back into it. The odds suggest that both teams will be able to hold onto their spots, leaving just one spot for the rest to squabble over.
For now it is the Columbus Blue Jackets at the front of the line. The Jackets have an air of destiny after another tragic offseason, and are pulling together as one to a new horizon. Zach Werenski and Kirill Marchenko have been excellent, while Adam Fantilli and Kent Johnson have come into their own. Sean Monahan and Dante Fabbro have been their best.
The other upstart teams fighting for spots are the Montreal Canadiens and the Detroit Red Wings. Both rebuilders have seen their bluelines come alive with high profile young players. Lane Hutson and Simon Edvinsson are among their best players. The parallels continue with young forwards coming of age as high level contributors, Juraj Slafkovsky and Marco Kasper. Both captains are authoring their best hockey, as Nick Suzuki and Dylan Larkin have been incredible.
On the other side some veteran teams are in the mix as well. The New York Rangers terrible start to the season is not yet erased, but the team is looking a lot better for their inseason reshuffling. GM Chris Drury has taken a lot of heat, and perhaps deserved some of it, but many of his dealings have paid dividends for now. A playoff berth is crucial to perception here. The Rangers have more experience and pedigree than the rest of the Wild Card hopefuls, which may be enough to propel them to the playoffs.
It seems a different approach than the other veteran teams in the area, as the Boston Bruins and New York Islanders sold at the deadline. Both teams are still proud and will show some fight down the stretch. It is difficult to imagine that they will win a spot at this point, but no doubt that a loosened lineup will give players a chance to step into bigger roles.
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
