The Washington Capitals have already seen their eight-season playoff streak come to an finish, which had been the second-longest energetic streak within the NHL.
By the tip of the week, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 16-year streak, the longest energetic streak, and the Nashville Predators’ eight-year streak may finish, and the Buffalo Sabres’ playoff drought may finish at 12 seasons.
All three groups are sitting out of a playoff place on Monday morning, although they’re nonetheless alive within the race.
In the meantime, the Metropolitan, Central and Pacific division titles are nonetheless up for grabs, as are two wild-card spots within the Japanese Convention and one within the West. A number of milestones could also be reached and the NHL’s worst document for greatest draft lottery odds ought to be set.
CONNOR BEDARD:Which NHL crew has the very best likelihood of drafting the generational expertise?
Comply with each sport: Newest NHL scores and occasions
What’s at stake earlier than Friday’s finish of the NHL common season:
Metropolitan Division Race
The Carolina Hurricanes lead the New Jersey Devils by one level and have a sport in hand. However the Devils have yet another win in regulation, the primary tiebreaker, so the Hurricanes should end no less than one level forward to say the title. The New York Rangers nonetheless have a slim likelihood. Carolina has misplaced two in a row, however coach Rod Brind’Amour will likely be again after watching his son Skyler win the NCAA Division I males’s hockey championship with Quinnipiac.
Remaining applications: The Hurricanes play Monday (at Ottawa), Tuesday (vs. Detroit) and Thursday (at Florida). The Devils play Tuesday (vs. Buffalo) and Thursday (at Washington). The Rangers have dwelling video games on Monday (Buffalo) and Thursday (Toronto).
Central Division Race
The defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche lead the Dallas Stars by two factors and the Minnesota Wild by 4. Everybody has three matches. The Stars have essentially the most wins in regulation at 36. The Avalanche have gained 5 in a row and Mikko Rantanen joined teammate Nathan MacKinnon on Sunday as a 100-point scorer.
Remaining applications: The Avalanche play at dwelling on Tuesday (Edmonton) and Thursday (Winnipeg) and on the street on Friday (Nashville). The Stars play Monday (at Detroit), then have a home-and-home set with St. Louis on Wednesday and Thursday. The Wild sport on Monday (at Chicago), Tuesday (vs. Winnipeg) and Thursday (at Nashville).
Pacific Division Race
The Vegas Golden Knights lead Edmonton by two factors, however the Oilers lead in regulation wins. Edmonton is on a 9-0-1 run, led by Connor McDavid, the NHL’s first 150-point scorer for the reason that Nineties.
Remaining applications: The Golden Knights play a home-and-home set in opposition to Seattle on Tuesday and Thursday. The Oilers go to Colorado on Tuesday and host San Jose on Thursday.
Japanese Convention wild-card race
The Florida Panthers clinch a playoff spot on Monday in the event that they defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs in regulation or extra time (however not in a shootout) and the New York Islanders lose to the Capitals in regulation.
If that occurs, the final playoff spot will come all the way down to the Islanders (91 factors), Penguins (90) and Sabers (85). Buffalo, which has been saddled with former Northeastern College goaltender Devon Levi, has two video games in hand however solely 29 regulation wins, so it ought to win out and get some assist. If the Sabers fall brief, they are going to tie the New York Jets for the longest energetic playoff drought within the massive 4 skilled leagues.
Remaining applications: The Panthers play at dwelling on Monday (Toronto) and Thursday (Carolina). The Islanders play Monday (at Washington) and Wednesday (vs. Montreal). The Penguins play Tuesday (vs. Chicago) and Thursday (at Columbus). The Sabers play on the street Monday (Rangers), Tuesday (New Jersey) and Friday (Columbus) and at dwelling on Thursday (Ottawa).
Western Convention wild-card race
The Winnipeg Jets have 91 factors, the Calgary Flames have 90 and the Predators have 88. Winnipeg leads in regulation wins and Calgary has performed yet another sport. Assist the reason for the Jets: The Flames and Predators in Calgary on Monday night time.
Remaining applications: The Jets play at dwelling on Monday (San Jose) and on the street on Tuesday (Minnesota) and Thursday (Colorado). The Flames play at dwelling on Monday (Nashville) and Wednesday (San Jose). The Predators play in Calgary on Monday, then have street video games on Thursday (Minnesota) and Friday (Colorado).
The race for Connor Bedard
The Columbus Blue Jackets and Chicago Blackhawks have the fewest factors (56) and Columbus has the fewest regulation wins (15) of the 2. The Blackhawks moved gamers within the offseason and earlier than the commerce deadline whereas the Blue Jackets had been aggressive within the offseason, signing Johnny Gaudreau, however had been tormented by accidents. The Anaheim Geese (58, solely 13 regulation wins) and the San Jose Sharks (60) nonetheless have an opportunity to drop into the basement of the NHL. The last-place crew has a 25.5% likelihood of touchdown generational expertise Connor Bedard after the Could 8 lottery.
Remaining applications: The Blue Jackets play at Philadelphia on Tuesday, then at dwelling on Thursday (Pittsburgh) and Friday (Buffalo). The Blackhawks play Monday (vs. Minnesota), Tuesday (at Pittsburgh) and Thursday (vs. Philadelphia). The Geese play at dwelling on Tuesday (Vancouver) and Thursday (Los Angeles). The Sharks play on the street Monday (Winnipeg), Wednesday (Calgary) and Thursday (Edmonton).
Achievable milestones
-The Boston Bruins, who set the NHL document for wins (63), want two factors of their final two video games to interrupt the 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens document of 132 factors in a season. They end the season with video games in Washington and Montreal.
-San Jose’s Erik Karlsson wants two factors over his final three video games to turn out to be the primary defenseman since Brian Leetch to attain 100 factors in a season.
-Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl wants three power-play targets in his final two video games to tie Tim Kerr’s document (34). The Oilers’ energy play (32.5%) could set a document for effectivity if it holds up. The present document is 31.9% by the 1977-78 Canadiens.
