The NHL's 2021 season is winding down, although the official end date of the season is still undetermined. As of now, the last regular-season game is scheduled for May 19, when the Flames host the Canucks.
Regardless of when things officially end and when the playoffs officially begin, the playoff races are still on. With teams only playing opponents in their own division, each game creates a four-point swing and there's a good chance that positioning won't be decided till the divisions wrap up their games.
MORE: When do the NHL playoffs start? First-round schedule, odds for 2021 Stanley Cup chase
Unlike in previous years, this season four teams will advance from each of the four divisions, with the top seed facing the fourth seed and No. 2 taking on No. 3. The winners will then face off before the champs of each division meet in the semifinals.
Here's how the 2021 Stanley Cup playoff bracket looks at this very minute.
Last updated: 11:51 p.m. ET on May 13.
All probabilities from Sports Club Stats.
NHL playoff standings 2021
East Division
1. Pittsburgh Penguins (77 points, 29 RW)
- Remaining games: 0
- Points percentage: .688
- Playoff probability: Clinched division title
Pittsburgh is your East Division champ.
2. Washington Capitals (77 points, 29 RW)
- Remaining games: 0
- Points percentage: .688
- Playoff probability: Clinched playoff berth
The Capitals beat the Bruins on Tuesday night to close their season but lost the division title race.
3. Boston Bruins (73 points, 25 RW)
- Remaining games: 0
- Points percentage: .652
- Playoff probability: Clinched playoff berth
The Bruins lost to the Capitals on Tuesday night while largely playing their backups. They will face Washington in the first round on Saturday.
4. New York Islanders (71 points, 24 RW)
- Remaining games: 0
- Points percentage: .634
- Playoff probability: Clinched playoff berth
It'll be Islanders-Penguins in the first round.
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Officially eliminated from contention: New Jersey Devils, Buffalo Sabres, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers
North Division
1. Toronto Maple Leafs (77 points, 29 RW)
- Remaining games: 1
- Remaining opponents: Winnipeg (Friday)
- Points percentage: .700
- Playoff probability: Clinched division title
The division champs lost a Battle of Ontario matchup vs. the Senators in overtime Wednesday.
2. Edmonton Oilers (72 points, 31 RW)
- Remaining games: 1
- Remaining opponents: Vancouver (Saturday)
- Points percentage: .655
- Playoff probability: Clinched playoff berth
Edmonton stayed sharp Wednesday with a 4-3 overtime win in Montreal.
3. Winnipeg Jets (61 points, 23 RW)
- Remaining games: 1
- Remaining opponents: Toronto (Friday)
- Points percentage: .555
- Playoff probability: Clinched playoff berth
A 5-0 shutout win over the Canucks helped the Jets lock up third place in the North Division and set up a first-round date with the Oilers.
4. Montreal Canadiens (59 points, 20 RW)
- Remaining games: 0
- Points percentage: .527
- Playoff probability: Clinched playoff berth
Montreal ended its regular season with the OT loss to Edmonton. Now it's on to an Original Six first-round matchup with Toronto.
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Officially eliminated from contention: Ottawa Senators, Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks
Central Division
1. Carolina Hurricanes (80 points, 27 RW)
- Remaining games: 0
- Points percentage: .714
- Playoff probability: Clinched division title
The Hurricanes lost to their first-round opponent, the Predators, for the second-straight game on Monday.
MORE: Hurricanes broadcaster Tripp Tracy talks Stanley Cup playoffs
2. Florida Panthers (79 points, 26 RW)
- Remaining games: 0
- Points percentage: .700
- Playoff probability: Clinched playoff berth
Florida beat the Lightning — its first-round opponent — on Saturday and Monday to close out the season.
3. Tampa Bay Lightning (75 points, 29 RW)
- Remaining games: 0
- Points percentage: .670
- Playoff probability: Clinched playoff berth
The defending champs are officially in and poised for another run at Lord Stanley's Cup.
4. Nashville Predators (64 points, 21 RW)
- Remaining games: 0
- Points percentage: .556
- Playoff probability: Clinched playoff berth
Pekka Rinne backstopped the Predators to a 5-0 win in the team's regular-season finale — and, what looked like after the game, Rinne's regular-season career finale.
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Officially eliminated from contention: Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Dallas Stars
West Division
1. Colorado Avalanche (82 points, 35 RW)
Remaining games: 0
Points percentage: .732
Playoff probability: Clinched division title and Presidents' Trophy
With a 5-1 win over the Kings on Thursday, the Avalanche not only snagged the top spot in the West but also the 2021 Presidents' Trophy.
2. Vegas Golden Knights (82 points, 30 RW)
- Remaining games: 0
- Points percentage: .732
- Playoff probability: Clinched playoff berth
The Golden Knights closed out their regular season with a 6-0 rout of the Sharks on Wednesday and were dropped to the 2-seed on Thursday.
3. Minnesota Wild (75 points, 27 RW)
- Remaining games: 0
- Points percentage: .670
- Playoff probability: Clinched playoff berth
Not that it mattered in the standings, but the Wild lost to the Blues 7-3 on Thursday to close out the season.
4. St. Louis Blues (63 points, 19 RW)
- Remaining games: 0
- Points percentage: .562
- Playoff probability: Clinched playoff berth
See: Wild
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Officially eliminated from contention: Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks, Arizona Coyotes, Los Angeles Kings