The NHL’s 2021 season is coming to an end, although the official end date of the season is still undetermined. As of now, the last regular season game is scheduled for May 19, when the Flames host the Canucks.
Regardless of when things officially end and when the playoffs officially begin, playoff races heat up as a number of teams stay on the hunt. Since teams only play opponents in their own division, each game creates a four-point swing and there is a good chance that positioning will not be decided until the division finishes the games.
In contrast to previous years, four teams from each of the four divisions will advance this season, with the top seed facing the fourth seed and No. 2 versus No. 3. The winners then compete against each other before the champions of each division advance to the semifinals.
This is what the playoff bracket of the Stanley Cup 2021 looks like at this minute.
Last updated: 1:14 p.m. ET on April 27
All probabilities from Sports Club Stats.
NHL playoff rating 2021
East department
1. Pittsburgh Penguins (67 points, 25 RW)
Remaining games: 7th
Remaining opponents: BOS, WSH (2), PHI (2), BUF (2)
Percentage score: .684
Playoff probability: 100%
The Penguins beat the Bruins 1-0 to put the idle capitals in first place.
2. Washington Capitals (66 points, 25 RW)
Remaining games: 8th
Remaining opponents: NYI, PIT (2), NYR (2), PHI (2), BOS
Percentage score: .688
Playoff probability: 99.9%
Even without Alex Ovechkin (injury to the lower body), the Capitals won on Saturday evening in the 1,600. NHL game by Zdeno Chara 6-3 against the islanders.
3. New York Islanders (63 points, 21 RW)
Remaining games: 8th
Remaining opponents: WSH (1), NYR (2), BUF (2), NJD (2), BOS (1)
Percentage score: .656
Playoff probability: 98.5%
The islanders are again in front of the capitals on Tuesday. A win will help them get closer to that top spot.
4. Boston Bruins (60 points, 20 RW)
Remaining games: 9
Remaining opponents: PIT, BUF (2), NJD (2), NYR (2), NYI, WSH
Percentage score: .638
Playoff probability: 92.9%
Boston has two games against everyone, including Rangers, who came closer on Sunday.
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5. New York Rangers (56 points, 22 RW)
Remaining games: 7
Remaining opponents: BUF, NYI (2), WSH (2), BOS (2)
Percentage score: .571
Playoff probability: 8.7%
The Rangers have lost 6-3-1 in their last 10 games.
0% playoff probability: Philadelphia Flyers
Officially excluded from the competition: New Jersey Devils, Buffalo Sabers
North department
1. Toronto Maple Leafs (65 points, 24 RW)
Remaining games: 8th
Remaining opponents: MTL (4), VAN (2), OTT, WPG
Percentage score: .677
Playoff probability: 100%
With a win at Hockey Night in Canada against the Jets, the Maple Leafs widen their gap for the Northern title.
2. Edmonton Oilers (58 points, 26 RW)
Remaining games: 10
Remaining opponents: WPG, CGY (2), VAN (5), MTL (2)
Percentage score: .630
Playoff probability: 99.9%
The Oilers – powered by a hat trick from Connor McDavid and Assist against the Jets on Monday – jumped to second place.
2. Winnipeg Jets (57 points, 21 RW)
Remaining games: 8th
Remaining opponents: EDM, MTL, OTT (2), CGY, OTT, VAN (2), TOR
Percentage score: .594
Playoff probability: 100%
See: Oiler.
4. Montreal Canadiens (51 points, 19 RW)
Remaining games: 9
Remaining opponents: TOR (4), WPG, OTT (2), EDM (2)
Percentage score: .543
Playoff probability: 76.0%
Cole Caufield made his NHL debut when the Canadiens suffered two losses to the Flames.
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5. Calgary Flames (45 points, 18 RW)
Remaining games: 8
Remaining opponents: EDM (2), WPG, OTT, VAN (4)
Point percentage: .469
Playoff probability: 12.7%
The Flames’ playoff chances are dwindling.
6. Vancouver Canucks (41 points, 13 RW)
Remaining games: 14
Remaining opponents: OTT, TOR (2), EDM (5), WPG (2), CGY (4)
Point percentage: .488
Playoff probability: 11.5%
The Canucks still have a lot of action and could theoretically still sneak into the postseason.
0% playoff probability: Ottawa Senators
Central department
1. Carolina Hurricanes (69 points, 23 RW)
Remaining games: 8th
Remaining opponents: DAL, DET, CBJ, CHI (3), NSH (2)
Percentage score: .719
Playoff probability: Clinged berth
With games in hand – and two games against the division’s basement – the canes are likely to take the top spot.
2. Florida Panthers (67 points, 22 RW)
Remaining games: 6th
Remaining opponents: NSH, CHI (2), DAL, TBL (2)
Percentage score: .670
Playoff probability: 100%
With only six games left, the Panthers’ place in second place is precarious.
3. Tampa Bay Lightning (66 points, 25 RW)
Remaining games: 8th
Remaining opponents: CHI, DAL (3), DET (2), FLA (2)
Percentage score: .688
Playoff probability: 100%
The division champions face a postseason spot and another run at Lord Stanley’s Cup.
4. Nashville Predators (56 points, 19 RW)
Remaining games: 6th
Remaining opponents: FLA, DAL, CBJ (2), CAR (2)
Percentage score: .560
Playoff probability: 50.9%
John Hynes’ status wavered at one point but his club went 6-3-1 in the last 10 and is in the postseason in action on Tuesday.
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5. Dallas Stars (54 points, 16 RW)
Remaining games: 8
Remaining opponents: CAR, TBL (3), NSH, FLA, CHI (2)
Point percentage: .563
Playoff probability: 46.1%
If the ranking is determined by percentage points, the stars would overtake the Predators from Tuesday morning.
6. Chicago Blackhawks (49 points, 14 RW)
Remaining games: 8
Remaining opponents: TBL, FLA (2), CAR (3), DAL (2)
Percentage score: .510
Playoff probability: 3.0%
While the Blackhawks appear to be out of the postseason, no one expected them to be on the line at all.
0% playoff probability: Detroit Red Wings
Officially excluded from the competition: Columbus Blue Jackets
West Division
1. Vegas Golden Knights (70 points, 27 RW)
Remaining games: 9
Remaining opponents: COL (2), ARI (2), MIN (2), STL (2), SJS
Percentage score: .745
Playoff probability: Clinged berth
The Golden Knights face the avalanche in a matchup on Wednesday that could expand or shorten the team’s leadership in the division.
2. Colorado Avalanche (66 points, 28 RW)
Remaining games: 10
Remaining opponents: VGK (2), SJS (4), LAK (4)
Percentage score: .717
Playoff probability: Clinged berth
The Avalanche lost to the Blues on Monday, trailing the Golden Knights four times, who were leaders in the division.
3. Minnesota Wild (65 points, 26 RW)
Remaining games: 9
Remaining opponents: STL (5), VGK (2), ANA (2)
Percentage score: .691
Playoff probability: Clinged berth
The Wild can’t finish worse than third place and is within striking distance of seed no. 1.
4. St. Louis Blues (48 points, 15 RW)
Remaining games: 10
Remaining opponents: MIN (5), ANA (2), LAK, VGK (2)
Percentage score: .522
Playoff probability: 54.2%
The Blues and Wild meet on Wednesday for the first of three major games in a row.
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5. Arizona Coyotes (47 points, 17 RW)
Remaining games: 7
Remaining opponents: SJS (3), VGK (2), LAK (2)
Percentage score: .480
Playoff probability: 37.2%
6. San Jose Sharks (43 points, 13 RW)
Remaining games: 8
Remaining opponents: ARI (3), COL (4), VGK
Point percentage: .448
Playoff probability: 0.5%
The sharks’ chances are slim, but a win on Monday night against the coyotes keeps the chances above none.
7. Los Angeles Kings (42 points, 16 RW)
Remaining games: 10
Remaining opponents: ANA (3), ARI (2), COL (4), STL
Point percentage: .457
Playoff probability: 8.1%
LA has two games in hand and three against the ducks living in the basement.
0% playoff probability: Anaheim Ducks
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