NHL standings: Seeding scenarios, breakdown for final spots in 2019 playoffs

Rudi Schuller

NHL standings: Seeding scenarios, breakdown for final spots in 2019 playoffs image

The 2019 NHL playoff picture is coming into focus, with the 15 teams set, and seeding still to be determined.

With teams in the final week of the regular season schedule, the playoff pairings are starting to become clearer.

Here's how the 2019 Stanley Cup playoff bracket looks at this very minute.

Last updated: April 4

MORE: Updated odds, predictions for 2019 NHL playoff spots

NHL standings: Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division

1. Tampa Bay Lightning (128 points, 56 ROW)

Remaining games: 0
Home record:  32-7-2
Playoff probability:  Clinched Presidents' Trophy

The Lightning has stormed their way through the regular season, and now just need to stay sharp ahead of the start of the postseason.

2. Boston Bruins (107 points, 47 ROW)

Remaining games: 0
Home record:  29-9-3
Playoff probability:  Clinched playoff berth

The Bruins are going to face the Maple Leafs in the first round, which is a favorable matchup.

3. Toronto Maple Leafs (100 points, 46 ROW)

Remaining games:   0
Home record: 23-16-2
Playoff probability: Clinched playoff berth

The Leafs are backing into the playoffs and will need to return to form if they want to have a chance against Boston in Round 1.

MORE: Capitals star Alex Ovechkin makes NHL history after scoring 50th goal

Metropolitan Division

1. Washington Capitals (104 points, 44 ROW)

Remaining games: 0
Home record:  24-11-6
Playoff probability: Clinched playoff berth

The Capitals are fending off the Islanders for the division title, but the defending champs should also start preparing for Columbus, Carolina or Montreal.

2. New York Islanders (103 points, 43 ROW)

Remaining games: 0
Home record: 24-13-4
Playoff probability: Clinched playoff berth

It's a surprise to see the Islanders here after they missed the playoffs the previous two years, but now they prepare for the Penguins.

3. Pittsburgh Penguins (100 points, 42 ROW)

Remaining games: 0
Home record: 23-14-4
Playoff probability: Clinched playoff berth

The Penguins overcame a slow start to get themselves back into a playoff spot and now brace themselves for the Islanders.

MORE: Bruins' Brad Marchand remains distinctly polarizing in player poll

Wild cards

1. Carolina Hurricanes (99 points, 44 ROW)

Remaining games: 0
Home record:  24-13-4
Playoff probability: Clinched playoff berth

The Hurricanes are back in the postseason for the first time since 2009.

2. Columbus Blue Jackets (98 points, 44 ROW)

Remaining games: 0
Home record:  22-17-2
Playoff probability:  Clinched playoff berth

Columbus secures its postseason spot in dramatic fashion on the second-to-last night of the regular season.

MORE: Ranking the best Hurricanes' celebrations from 2018-19

NHL standings: Western Conference

Central Division

1. Nashville Predators (100 points, 43 ROW)

Remaining games: 0
Home record: 25-14-2
Playoff probability: Clinched playoff berth

The Predators won't repeat as President's Trophy winners, but they'll get another shot at the big dance.

2. Winnipeg Jets (99 points, 45 ROW)

Remaining games: 0
Home record:  25-12-4
Playoff probability:  Clinched playoff berth

The Jets picked a bad time to start slumping, but they are still very much in control of their destiny.

3. St. Louis Blues (99 points, 42 ROW)

Remaining games: 0
Home record:  24-15-2
Playoff probability:  Clinched playoff berth

The Blues have a very real shot at clinching a tight Central Division with an end-of-season hot streak.

MORE: The Blues are in the playoffs and we're just as surprised as you

Pacific Division

1. Calgary Flames (107 points, 50 ROW)

Remaining games: 0
Home record: 26-10-5
Playoff probability: Clinched division title

The highest-scoring team in the West, the Flames will be out to do some damage come playoff time.

2. San Jose Sharks (101 points, 46 ROW)

Remaining games: 0
Home record:  25-11-5
Playoff probability:  Clinched playoff berth

The Sharks limp into the home stretch despite scoring seemingly at will this season.

3. Vegas Golden Knights (93 points, 40 ROW)

Remaining games: 0
Home record: 24-12-5
Playoff probability: Clinched playoff berth

No longer surprising anyone, Vegas still gets into the postseason with a chance to make some history.  

Wild cards

1. Dallas Stars (93 points, 42 ROW)

Remaining games:  0
Home record:  24-14-3
Playoff probability:  Clinched playoff berth

Having clinched with two games remaining, the Stars look forward to the postseason.

2. Colorado Avalanche (90 points, 36 ROW)

Remaining games:  0
Home record:  21-14-6
Playoff probability: Clinched playoff berth

The Avalanche secured the final playoff spot in the West on Thursday night.

Rudi Schuller