The NHL 2021 playoffs are on the horizon as the hockey postseason will begin on May 19. Teams around the NHL are putting the exclamation point on their seasons with several teams already eliminated from playoff contention.
While a number of teams are out of the NHL 2021 playoffs, places have been clinched by Stanley Cup contenders.
Which teams are in the hunt for Sir Stanley’s cup?
The season is on pace to finish May 15 with teams playing their final games. The season has been extended to allow clubs having had games postponed due to COVID-19 to play those postponements.
Thus far, the Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, and Tampa Bay Lightning have clinched NHL 2021 playoffs places.
Meanwhile, the New Jersey Devils, Buffalo Sabres, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Detroit Red Wings have all been eliminated from making the postseason.
As of Wednesday, April 28, the NHL 2021 playoffs picture looks like this:
Central
1. Carolina Hurricanes: 71 points, 49 games played
2. Florida Panthers: 69 points, 51 games played
3. Tampa Bay Lightning: 68 points, 49 games played
4. Nashville Predators: 56 points, 51 games played
5. Dallas Stars: 54 points, 49 games played
6. Chicago Blackhawks: 49 points, 49 games played
East
1. Washington Capitals: 68 points, 49 games played
2. Pittsburgh Penguins: 67 points, 50 games played
3. New York Islanders: 63 points, 49 games played
4. Boston Bruins: 62 points, 48 games played
5. New York Rangers: 58 points, 50 games played
6. Philadelphia Flyers: 51 points, 49 games played
North
1. Toronto Maple Leafs: 65 points, 48 games played
2. Edmonton Oilers: 58 points, 46 games played
3. Winnipeg Jets: 57 points, 48 games played
4. Montreal Canadiens: 51 points, 47 games played
5. Calgary Flames: 45 points, 48 games played
6. Vancouver Canucks: 41 points, 42 games played
7. Ottawa Senators: 40 points, 49 games played
West
1. Vegas Golden Knights: 70 points, 47 games played
2. Colorado Avalanche: 66 points, 46 games played
3. Minnesota Wild: 65 points, 47 games played
4. St. Louis Blues: 48 points, 46 games played
5. Arizona Coyotes: 47 points, 49 games played
6. San Jose Sharks: 43 points, 48 games played
7. Los Angeles Kings: 42 points, 46 games played
8. Anaheim Ducks: 35 points, 49 games played
- COL Avalanche +450
- VGS Golden Knights +500
- CAR Hurricanes +700
- TB Lightning +700
- TOR Maple Leafs +750
- WAS Capitals +1000
- PIT Penguins +1200
- MIN Wild +1400
- BOS Bruins +1400
- FLA Panthers +1600
- NY Islanders +1700
- EDM Oilers +2000
- WIN Jets +2200
- STL Blues +3000
- MON Canadiens +3000
- NAS Predators +3500
- DAL Stars +3500
- NY Rangers +6000
- ARZ Coyotes +7500
- CAL Flames +15000
- VAN Canucks +15000
- LA Kings +15000
- SJ Sharks +20000
- CHI Blackhawks +200000
- PHI Flyers +450000
- OTT Senators +499900
Of courses, some of these teams can and will be eliminated this week from NHL 2021 playoffs contention.
NHL 2021 playoffs: How will they work?
The NHL Stanley Cup postseason will feature 16 teams, playing best-of-seven, and a four-round playoff format beginning in May. The top four teams from each division will qualify for the playoffs. Therefore, a Canadian team will make the final four of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The playoffs will feature intradivisional play in the first two rounds (#1 vs. #4; #2 vs. #3). The four teams that advance to the semifinals will be seeded by their regular-season points total. The No. 1 seed team will play the No. 4 seed team in one series and the No. 2 team and No. 3 seed team will meet in the other.
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