How the Eastern Conference Playoff Picture Looks Right Now
Atlantic 1: Boston Bruins vs. Wild Card 1: Tampa Bay Lightning
Atlantic 2: Florida Panthers vs. Atlantic 3: Toronto Maple Leafs
Metropolitan 1 (No. 1 seed): New York Rangers vs. Wild Card 2: Washington Capitals
Metropolitan 2: Carolina Hurricanes vs. Metropolitan 3: New York Islanders
What Is Still Up for Grabs
The Atlantic Division: Boston had a chance to clinch Monday night but dropped a 2-0 decision to Washington, leaving Florida just a point behind with a game to play for each. If the Panthers win the division, they would open the playoffs with Tampa Bay while the Bruins would start the tournament with Toronto.
Second Wild Card: The Capitals' win over Boston kept them in the coveted "control your own destiny" seat, meaning a win at Philadelphia in the Tuesday finale for both teams locks things for Washington. But a loss to the Flyers leaves the door open wide enough for Detroit, Pittsburgh or Philadelphia to sneak through.
Tiebreaker Scenarios
The Capitals and Red Wings reached Tuesday tied with 89 points and maintaining that two-team tie would be good news for Washington, which has four more regulation wins.
However, it's not inconceivable that either three or even all four of the still-eligible teams could wind up even at 89 points. That would swing the pendulum to Pittsburgh, and the Penguins' 32 regulation wins would win out over the Capitals, Red Wings and Flyers.
If it's Washington, Detroit and Philadelphia that end up knotted, though, it'd go all the way to points earned in the season series between the Capitals and Flyers, and the City of Brotherly Love would celebrate thanks a 4-3 edge,
Got all that? Good.
Matchup Wish List
1. New York Rangers vs. New York Islanders. It'll require a significant (though not inconceivable) first-round upset to set it up, but what more compelling series is there than a duel for the affections of metropolitan New York? They've not met in the playoffs since a first-round series in 1994, when the Rangers won in a sweep on the way to a title.
2. Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning. While we're on geographic rivalries, why not orchestrate a duel to determine the bellwether of the Sunshine State? It could happen instantly if the Panthers overtake the Bruins in the Atlantic, otherwise we'll have to wait for the second round and require the Lightning to handle Boston first.
3. Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs. You want Original Six nostalgia and individual star power? This one would have both and a lot more. The Bruins could slot in against Toronto immediately if they falter in the division race, or this one's on deck for a second-rounder should Boston play to seed and Auston Matthews & Co. beat the Panthers.
4. Washington Capitals vs. Carolina Hurricanes. Unless you're assigned to the Obscure Stats Department, we'll bet you didn't know Alex Ovechkin has scored more points (104) against the Hurricanes than any other NHL team. That includes five in four games this season. And don't think for a second the league wouldn't want "The Great 8" to make a deep run.
