NHL Playoff Race Heats Up: Eastern Conference Finals Preview and Key Matchups

NHL Playoff Watch: Eastern Conference Finals Preview

With approximately 20 games left in the NHL season, the race for the playoffs is heating up. One of the most anticipated matchups is between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Carolina Hurricanes, which could serve as a preview of the Eastern Conference finals. This game, scheduled for Tuesday on ESPN+, features two teams built for postseason success.

Playoff Projections

According to the Stathletes model, the Hurricanes have the highest chance of making the Eastern Conference Finals (ECF) at 48.2%, followed by the Florida Panthers (38.2%), Washington Capitals (30.6%), and the Tampa Bay Lightning (29.8%). The Toronto Maple Leafs round out the top five with an 18.6% chance.

Historical Context

If the Hurricanes and Lightning face off in the ECF, Tampa Bay holds the historical advantage, having won their lone series against Carolina during the 2021 playoffs. This series took place in the realigned Central Division, which included teams like the Florida Panthers, Chicago Blackhawks, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, and Nashville Predators.

Current Playoff Matchups

Eastern Conference

• A1 Florida Panthers vs. WC1 Ottawa Senators
• A2 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. A3 Tampa Bay Lightning
• M1 Washington Capitals vs. WC2 Columbus Blue Jackets
• M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 New Jersey Devils

Western Conference

• C1 Winnipeg Jets vs. WC2 Calgary Flames
• C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche
• P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC1 Minnesota Wild
• P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings

Tuesday's Key Games

• Tampa Bay Lightning at Carolina Hurricanes, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+/Hulu/Disney+)
• Colorado Avalanche at Minnesota Wild, 8 p.m. ET
• New York Rangers at Winnipeg Jets, 8 p.m. ET

Race for the No. 1 Pick

The NHL draft lottery will determine the order of the first round, with the San Jose Sharks currently holding the top spot. The draft lottery allows teams to move up a maximum of 10 spots, making the race for the No. 1 pick highly competitive.

Expanded Standings

Atlantic Division

• Florida Panthers: 83 points, 34 regulation wins
• Toronto Maple Leafs: 81 points, 31 regulation wins
• Tampa Bay Lightning: 78 points, 32 regulation wins

Metro Division

• Washington Capitals: 92 points, 35 regulation wins
• Carolina Hurricanes: 80 points, 33 regulation wins
• New Jersey Devils: 74 points, 30 regulation wins

Central Division

• Winnipeg Jets: 92 points, 36 regulation wins
• Dallas Stars: 86 points, 35 regulation wins
• Colorado Avalanche: 80 points, 34 regulation wins

Pacific Division

• Vegas Golden Knights: 82 points, 35 regulation wins
• Edmonton Oilers: 78 points, 27 regulation wins
• Los Angeles Kings: 75 points, 29 regulation wins

As the season progresses, keep an eye on these key matchups and playoff races to see which teams will emerge as contenders for the Stanley Cup.