NHL Playoff Picture: Unpacking the Bracket Standings, Tiebreakers, and Scenarios

As the National Hockey League (NHL) regular season comes to a close, the excitement for the playoffs is building up. The NHL playoff bracket standings are taking shape, with teams jostling for positions in the coveted postseason spots. In this article, we'll delve into the current standings, tiebreakers, and scenarios that will determine which teams will make it to the playoffs and how they'll be seeded.

Current Standings

The NHL playoff bracket is divided into two conferences: the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. Each conference is further divided into two divisions: the Atlantic and Metropolitan in the East, and the Central and Pacific in the West. The top three teams from each division qualify for the playoffs, along with two wild-card teams from each conference. As of the latest update, the standings are as follows: Eastern Conference: + Atlantic Division: Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators + Metropolitan Division: Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins, Columbus Blue Jackets + Wild Card: Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes Western Conference: + Central Division: Dallas Stars, St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators + Pacific Division: Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks, Calgary Flames + Wild Card: Arizona Coyotes, Vegas Golden Knights

Tiebreakers

In the event of a tie in the standings, the NHL uses a set of tiebreakers to determine the seeding. The tiebreakers are as follows: 1. Most wins (including shootout wins) 2. Most points earned in games between tied teams 3. Most goals scored in games between tied teams 4. Most regulation wins 5. Most points earned in the last 10 games of the season

Scenarios

With only a few games left in the regular season, the playoff picture is still fluid. Here are some scenarios that could play out: The Tampa Bay Lightning could still catch the Bruins for the top spot in the Atlantic Division. The Colorado Avalanche could sneak into the playoffs as a wild-card team if they win their remaining games. The Winnipeg Jets could still win the Central Division title if they win their remaining games and the Stars and Blues lose theirs. As the NHL playoff bracket takes shape, fans are eagerly anticipating the start of the postseason. With the current standings, tiebreakers, and scenarios in mind, it's shaping up to be an exciting playoffs. Will your favorite team make it to the dance? Stay tuned to find out.

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Note: The standings and scenarios are subject to change as the regular season comes to a close. This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a prediction of the final playoff standings.