NHL Eastern Conference Race

Though the NHL’s regular season is nearly complete, the playoff picture is far from settled. The West has almost certainly found its top eight, as playoff seeding is the only detail left to be ironed out in that conference.

On the other hand, the East still plays host to several moving parts as the stretch run approaches. Ahead of the start of playoff action on April 22, here’s a look at what’s at stake for these Eastern Conference postseason hopefuls.

New York Rangers and Carolina Hurricanes

The Rangers have risen to the top of the mountain, sitting as the league’s best team at the time of this writing. Currently amid a five-game win streak, they’re well-positioned to keep building momentum and secure the top seed.

Yet, Carolina remains three points behind them in the Metropolitan Division after taking some notable strides as of late following the trade deadline acquisition of scoring threat Jake Guentzel.

Notably, Rod Brind’Amour’s crew lost the season series against New York, so it’ll have to lock in across its final seven games to make up ground. With a pair of matchups against the Bruins on the horizon, along with a bout opposite the surging Capitals, this may prove easier said than done. New York remains in the driver’s seat for home ice advantage.

Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers

In similar fashion, the Bruins and Panthers are duking it out for first in the Atlantic Division. Boston remains two points ahead of the reigning Eastern Conference Champions, looking to exact revenge after the Panthers bounced them from the playoffs last spring.

Admittedly, there’s no dream scenario for either team. Come playoff time, one will face Toronto and the other will take on Tampa Bay — two dangerous squads in their own right.

Nonetheless, home ice is still a huge deal and neither side wants to go down without a fight. Boston will host Florida on April 6 in a matchup that could be for all the marbles.

Time will tell if Florida’s elite defense can slow down David Pastrnak and company.

Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning

These two high-powered offenses are vying against one another for the right to escape wild card positioning. At the moment Toronto has 93 points to its name, while the Lightning trail them with 89 and sit as the East’s No. 7 seed.

Toronto’s advantage might not be enough to hold off its division rival, as Tampa Bay has won eight of its last ten. These teams square off on both April 3 and April 17, so there’s still time for each to make a statement in this race.

No matter what happens, neither team is in danger of slipping down to the eighth seed thanks to their impressive point totals.

Playoff Hopefuls

Outside of the East’s spectacular six, the rest of the conference pales in comparison — but two more teams still must make the playoffs.

The Washington Capitals and Philadelphia Flyers are laser-focused on obtaining the final Metropolitan Division spot. Both teams are tied with 82 points, though the Capitals currently hold the tie-breaker and would earn the No. 6 seed if the season ended today.

The Flyers seemingly had this spot secured for much of the season, but Washington has stormed back into the fray. Should Philadelphia miss out on the divisional spot, they’ll be competing with Detroit, as well as long-shot foes New Jersey and the Islanders, for the eighth seed.

Detroit and Philadelphia have both lost four straight, so the wind isn’t exactly in either team’s sails. Should the Flyers miss the playoffs, it’d be a frustrating result for the franchise.

Expected to be an NHL bottom feeder, they instead competed tooth and nail all season. To end the year outside the playoff picture, but also without an impressive draft pick to show for it, would be a nightmare scenario.

Joe Tuman is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email joentuman@gmail.com.