Welcome to the Stanley Cup Playoffs Buzz, a daily look at the races for the 2018 NHL postseason. There are eight days left in the regular season and the races in each conference are wide open.
Stanley Cup Playoff clinching scenarios
The Washington Capitals will clinch the Metropolitan Division:
If they defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins (7:30 p.m. ET; NBCSN, NHL.TV) in regulation.
Here is a look at the NHL Standings and everything else that could impact the playoff picture.
What’s on tap
All five games on the schedule Sunday have playoff implications:
Boston Bruins at Philadelphia Flyers (12:30 p.m. ET; NBC, TVAS, NHL.TV)— The Bruins are back in first place in the Atlantic Division after defeating the Florida Panthers on Saturday. They have a one-point lead over the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Flyers have a one-point lead over the New Jersey Devils for the first wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference. They are two points behind the Columbus Blue Jackets for third in the Metropolitan Division.
Nashville Predators at Tampa Bay Lightning (6 p.m. ET; SUN, FS-TN, NHL.TV)– Each team has clinched a playoff berth and is in a race for the Presidents’ Trophy. The Predators have a two-point lead on the Bruins and a three-point lead on the Lightning. The Lightning are one point behind the first-place Bruins in the Atlantic.
New Jersey Devils at Montreal Canadiens (7 p.m. ET; SN, RDS, MSG+, NHL.TV)— The Devils have a five-point lead over the Florida Panthers for the second wild card but the Panthers have one game in hand. The Devils are one point behind the Flyers for the first wild card and three points behind the third-place Blue Jackets in the Metropolitan.
Washington Capitals at Pittsburgh Penguins (7:30 p.m. ET; NBCSN, NHL.TV)– The Capitals are first in the Metropolitan and are three points ahead of the second-place Penguins, who clinched a playoff berth with a win against the Canadiens on Saturday. Washngton can clinch the division with a win in regulation.
Colorado Avalanche at Anaheim Ducks (9 p.m. ET; SN, SN360, PRIME, ALT, NHL.TV)– The Avalanche are tied in points with the St. Louis Blues (92), who hold the second wild card in the Western Conference; the Blues have defeated the Avalanche in three of four games. The Ducks hold the first wild card and are one point behind the Los Angeles Kings for third in the Pacific Division.
About last night
Ten games on the schedule Saturday had playoff implications:
Vegas Golden Knights 3, San Jose Sharks 2 — The Golden Knights won their 50th game and clinched the Pacific Division. William Karlsson scored his 42nd goal for Vegas. The Sharks are four points ahead of the third-place Los Angeles Kings. The Golden Knights became the first modern-era expansion team from any of the four North American professional sports leagues to start from scratch and finish first in its division (excluding mergers and all-expansion divisions), according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Boston Bruins 5, Florida Panthers 1— The Bruins reclaimed first place in the Atlantic Division and clinched home ice for the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They are one point ahead of the Lightning, who have played two more games than Boston. The Panthers are five points behind the New Jersey Devils for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference.
Vancouver Canucks 5, Columbus Blue Jackets 4 (OT) — The Blue Jackets scored three goals in the final 3:58 of regulation to remain in third place in the Metropolitan Division. They are two points behind the second-place Pittsburgh Penguins.
Winnipeg Jets 3, Toronto Maple Leafs 1 — The Jets remain in second place in the Central Division, five points behind the first-place Predators and 10 points ahead of the third-place Minnesota Wild. The Jets can finish no lower than second in the Central. The Maple Leafs will finish third in Atlantic, and open on the road against either the Bruins or Lightning in the first round.
New Jersey Devils 4, New York Islanders 3 — The Devils moved five points ahead of the Panthers for the second wild card and within one point of the Philadelphia Flyers, who hold the first wild card.
Pittsburgh Penguins 5, Montreal Canadiens 2 — The Penguins clinched a playoff berth for the 12th straight season, the longest streak in the NHL. The Penguins are three points behind the Washington Capitals in the Metropolitan and two ahead of the Blue Jackets.
New York Rangers 2, Carolina Hurricanes 1 — Henrik Lundqvist made 40 saves for the Rangers and the Hurricanes were eliminated from playoff contention.
Buffalo Sabres 7, Nashville Predators 4 — The Predators remain first in the Central, five points ahead of the Jets, but did not clinch the division. Predators forward Eeli Tolvanen played 13:34 his NHL debut.
Dallas Stars 4, Minnesota Wild 1 — The Stars kept their playoff hopes alive and are four points behind the Blues for the second wild card. The Wild are third in the Central, 10 points behind the Jets and four ahead of the Blues.
Arizona Coyotes 6, St. Louis Blues 0 — The Blues lost in regulation for the first time since March 15 but maintained the second wild card. They are tied in points with the Colorado Avalanche (92) but the Blues are 3-1-0 in the season series.
If playoffs started Sunday
Here is a look at the matchups for the first round as they stand entering games Sunday:
Eastern Conference
(1A) Boston Bruins vs (WC2) New Jersey Devils
(1M) Washington Capitals vs. (WC1) Philadelphia Flyers
(2M) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (3M) Columbus Blue Jackets
(2A) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (3A) Toronto Maple Leafs
Western Conference
(1C) Nashville Predators vs. (WC2) St. Louis Blues
(1P) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (WC1) Anaheim Ducks
(2C) Winnipeg Jets vs. (3C) Minnesota Wild
(2P) San Jose Sharks vs. (3P) Los Angeles Kings
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