Updated league standings, potential first-round matchups
The NHL’s Stanley Cup playoffs will begin in mid-April and the biggest question is whether the Boston Bruins can keep their spectacular play going through four rounds of the postseason.
The Bruins clinched the Presidents’ Trophy on Thursday night and have a chance to break the NHL record of 62 wins in a season. But which other teams will make the playoffs and what are the matchups in the first round?
USA TODAY Sports is here with everything you need to know about the NHL playoffs, including updated playoff brackets. Here’s a comprehensive look at the current NHL postseason outlook, including when the playoffs and the Stanley Cup Final are scheduled to start:
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Clinching scenarios for Friday, March 31
The idle Edmonton Oilers will clinch a playoff spot if the Winnipeg Jets lose to the Detroit Red Wings in any fashion.
Updated NHL playoff standings
EASTERN CONFERENCE
(as of March 30 — complete standings can be found here. p-clinched Presidents’ Trophy, x-clinched playoff spot, y-clinched division title, z-eliminated from playoff contention)
Metropolitan Division
x-Carolina Hurricanes
x-New Jersey Devils
x-New York Rangers
Atlantic Division
p-Boston Bruins
x-Toronto Maple Leafs
Tampa Bay Lightning
Wild cards
New York Islanders
Pittsburgh Penguins
Currently out of playoff position
Florida Panthers
Buffalo Sabers
Ottawa Senators
Washington Capitals
Detroit Red Wings
Philadelphia Flyers
z-Montreal Canadiens
z-Columbus Blue Jackets
WESTERN CONFERENCE
(as of March 30)
Central Division
Minnesota Wild
Dallas Stars
Colorado Avalanches
Pacific Division
x-Vegas Golden Knights
Edmonton Oilers
Los Angeles Kings
wild card
Seattle Kraken
Winnipeg Jets
Currently out of playoff position
Calgary Flames
Nashville Predators
St. Louis Blues
Vancouver Canucks
z-Arizona Coyotes
z-San Jose Sharks
z-Anaheim Ducks
z-Chicago Blackhawks
Eastern Conference playoff brackets
(as of March 30)
Boston Bruins vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Islanders
New Jersey Devils vs. New York Rangers
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Western Conference
(as of March 30)
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Winnipeg Jets
Minnesota Wild vs. Seattle Kraken
Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanches
Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings
When do the Stanley Cup playoffs begin?
They’re scheduled to start on April 17, three days after the scheduled April 14 end of the regular season.
What is the tentative starting date of the Stanley Cup Final?
The scheduled starting date is June 3, though that’s subject to change. TNT will air the games in the United States.
Who won the Stanley Cup in 2022?
The Colorado Avalanche won for the first time since 2001. They defeated the two-time defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning in six games.
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When is the NHL draft?
The NHL draft is June 28 (first round) and June 29 (Rounds 2-7) at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. The NHL draft lottery will be held at 7 pm ET on May 8 among the 16 non-playoff teams or teams that acquired their first-round picks in a trade. Teams can move up a maximum of 10 spots in the two drawings. Only the bottom 11 teams will have a chance to draft generational talent Connor Bedard at No. 1 overalls. The Regina (Saskatchewan) Pats center led the Western Hockey League during the regular season with 143 points in 57 games.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NHL playoff bracket 2023 updates: Standings, schedule for postseason
