The field is nearly set, which means the NHL playoffs are almost here.
We are in the final week of the 2021-22 NHL regular season and playoff spots are getting locked up left and right.
The eight teams competing in the Eastern Conference are set, as it will be the Panthers, Hurricanes, Maple Leafs, Lightning, Penguins, Rangers, Bruins and Capitals competing to be crowned Eastern Conference champions and earn a spot in the Stanley Cup Finals.
However, out West, there are still three spots up for the taking. Only the Avalanche, Flames, Wild, Blues and Oilers are guaranteed to make the postseason. The Kings, Predators and Stars make up the final three places for now, but the Golden Knights and Canucks are still hoping to find a way into the postseason.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of the 2022 NHL playoffs.
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When are the 2022 NHL playoffs?
The NHL regular season ends on Friday, April 29 and the playoffs will start three days after on Monday, May 2.
The finals are expected to take place at some point in June.
How can I watch the 2022 NHL playoffs?
The Stanley Cup playoffs have a new home this season, with the NHL signing new TV deals this past summer with Disney (ESPN, ABC) and Turner Sports (TNT, TBS).
As a result, half of the games in the first three rounds will be on TNT and half will be on either ESPN or ABC. The finals will be viewed on either ESPN or ABC.
For Canadian viewers, the playoffs can be viewed on Sportsnet.
What is the format of the NHL playoffs?
The NHL heads back to its normal format for the playoffs after a twist to the postseason last year. With COVID concerns, the league went to four re-aligned divisions and had four teams from every division make the postseason.
This season, it's back to eight teams from the Eastern and Western Conference making the postseason. The top three teams in each division make the postseason, and then two Wild Card teams earn the final two spots in each conference.
The division winners will play the Wild Card teams while the No. 2 and No. 3 teams from each division go head-to-head in the first round.
Each round features a best-of-seven series. In total, there are four rounds in the postseason — first round, second round, conference finals and Stanley Cup finals.
MORE: Updated NHL playoff picture
Betting odds, best bets to win the Stanley Cup?
The Avalanche and Panthers are still the frontrunners to win this year's Stanley Cup, according to Sports Interaction.
Colorado is on its way to repeat as President's Trophy winners as the team with the best record in the regular-season. Florida has been the best team in the East all season long. It's no wonder why the oddsmakers regard them so high.
| TEAM | ODDS TO WIN CUP |
|---|---|
| Colorado Avalanche | +376 |
| Florida Panthers | +516 |
| Calgary Flames | +664 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +800 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | +1100 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +1100 |
| Edmonton Oilers | +1200 |
| Minnesota Wild | +1700 |
| New York Rangers | +1800 |
| Boston Bruins | +1900 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | +1900 |
| St. Louis Blues | +2000 |
| Washington Capitals | +3900 |
| Los Angeles Kings | +4300 |
| Nashville Predators | +4500 |
| Dallas Stars | +4800 |
What teams have won the Stanley Cup?
The Stanley Cup has been around since 1915, so it's got quite a bit of mileage to it.
The Canadiens have won the most Cups with 24, however, they have not won a Cup since 1993. It's no surprise considering the club is the oldest operational professional hockey franchise.
After the Habs, it's the Maple Leafs with 13, but their last Cup win came in 1967 and the team has not been to the finals since then. In third behind the Maple Leafs is the Red Wings with 11, most recently winning in 2008.
There are 12 team franchises that have never lifted the Cup: Arizona Coyotes, Buffalo Sabres, Columbus Blue Jackets, Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, Ottawa Senators, San Jose Sharks, Seattle Kraken, Vancouver Canucks, Vegas Golden Knights and Winnipeg Jets.
Here is a look at the last 10 Stanley Cup winners:
- 2021: Tampa Bay Lightning
- 2020: Tampa Bay Lightning
- 2019: St. Louis Blues
- 2018: Washington Capitals
- 2017: Pittsburgh Penguins
- 2016: Pittsburgh Penguins
- 2015: Chicago Blackhawks
- 2014: Los Angeles Kings
- 2013: Chicago Blackhawks
- 2012: Los Angeles Kings
