NHL playoff tiebreaker scenarios for Capitals, Red Wings, Penguins, Flyers to clinch final East wild card spot

Four teams, one playoff spot, one game left for each club to secure its place in the postseason. 

The Eastern Conference wild card chase has been one for the ages. Multiple teams have been playing a game of musical chairs with the last playoff spot in the conference, and it's now down to four teams still in the hunt for the second wild card slot. 

The Islanders pulled away from the rest of the pack, securing its placement in third place in the Metropolitan Division. However, the Capitals, Flyers, Penguins, and Red Wings all are still alive with each club playing Game No. 82 either Tuesday or Wednesday night. 

Currently, Washington holds the key to the eighth and final playoff spot. However, there are three other organizations right behind the Capitals, hoping Alex Ovechkin and Co. slip up in their chance to clinch. 

Here is what to know about the playoff tiebreakers and how each of the four Eastern Conference teams could end up in the postseason. 

MORE: When do the NHL playoffs start?

NHL playoff bracket, matchups 2024

Here's what the Eastern Conference and Western Conference playoff matchups look like through April 15.

Bolded matchups mean locked in for playoffs

Eastern Conference

(A1) Bruins vs. (WC1) Lightning

(A2) Panthers vs. (A3) Maple Leafs

(M1) Rangers vs. (WC2) Capitals

(M2) Hurricanes vs. (M3) Islanders

Western Conference

(C1) Stars vs. (WC2) Golden Knights

(C2) Jets vs. (C3) Avalanche

(P1) Canucks  vs. (WC1) Predators

(P2) Oilers vs. (P3) Kings

NHL tiebreaker procedures 

If two or more clubs are tied in points at the end of the regular season, the standing of the clubs is determined in the following order:

1. Regulation wins
2. Regulation and overtime wins
3. Total wins
4. Most points earned in head-to-head competition (If teams had an uneven number of meetings, the first game played in the city that has the extra game is excluded)
5. Goal differential
6. Total goals

Full details on the NHL tiebreaker rules for the standings can be found here. 

NHL PLAYOFF PICTURE: Updated standings, bracket, matchups & key dates for 2024 postseason

How can the Capitals clinch a wild card spot?

Washington is in the best spot out of the four teams in the hunt for the last wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. 

The Capitals control their own destiny, as a win in Game 82 of any kind secures their spot in the NHL playoffs. However, even if the team only gets one point via a loss in overtime or a shootout, there is still a chance Washington could get in. 

The Caps play the Flyers on Tuesday night in Philadelphia. Here is how the Capitals can clinch the final wild card spot:

• Any win (regulation or overtime/shootout) vs. Flyers

OR

• One point vs. Flyers AND any Red Wings loss vs. Canadiens AND any Penguins loss vs. Islanders

How can the Red Wings clinch a wild card spot?

Detroit kept its season alive with a 5-4 comeback win in overtime over Montreal on Monday night. The team will have to knock off the Habs yet again to keep its playoff hopes alive.

The Wings play the Canadiens in Montreal on Tuesday night. A regulation loss against the Canadiens means elimination for the Red Wings. 

Here is how the Red Wings can clinch the final wild card spot:

• Any win vs. Canadiens AND Capitals earn 1 point or less vs. Flyers

OR

• One point vs. Canadiens AND Capitals regulation loss vs. Flyers AND Penguins earn 1 point or less vs. Islanders

How can the Penguins clinch a wild card spot?

Sidney Crosby is doing all he can to punch the Penguins ticket back to the postseason. Crosby has not missed back-to-back playoffs ever in his NHL career, but Pittsburgh needs some help from other clubs to get in.

The Penguins play the Islanders on Long Island on Wednesday night. A regulation loss against the Islanders means elimination for the Penguins. 

Here is how the Penguins can clinch the final wild card spot:

• Any win vs. Islanders AND Capitals earn 1 point or less vs. Flyers AND Red Wings earn 1 point or less vs. Canadiens

OR

• One point vs. Islanders AND Capitals regulation loss vs. Flyers AND Red Wings regulation loss vs. Canadiens

How can the Flyers clinch a wild card spot?

Less than a month ago, the Flyers looked to be a lock for the postseason. Then Philadelphia dropped eight games in a row and now have the lowest chance of getting into the playoffs out of the four teams still alive in the hunt. 

The Flyers host the Capitals on Tuesday night in Philadelphia. Anything but a regulation win against the Capitals means elimination for the Flyers, and even then, it may not be enough.

Here is how the Flyers can clinch the final wild card spot:

• Regulation win vs. Capitals AND Red Wings regulation loss vs. Canadiens AND Penguins regulation loss vs. Islanders