Path to the Playoffs | Standings, tonight's games to watch, and more

WE'RE IN!

Stay tuned for the remainder of the regular season to keep track of the Atlantic Division race and potential playoff opponents.

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Standings

Saturday’s games to follow

Rangers 4 - Red Wings 1

Implications: Detroit can no longer pass Buffalo in the standings, which guarantees the Sabres their playoff berth.

Bruins at Lightning – 5 p.m.

Implications: The Lightning are tied with the Sabres atop the Atlantic Division with 100 points but have played one fewer game. Root for the Bruins here.

Sabres at Capitals – 7 p.m.

Implications: If the Rangers don’t come through with a win over the Red Wings, the Sabres can take care of business and clinch their playoff berth with a win here. The Capitals will be highly motivated, still only three points out of a wild card spot.

Canadiens at Devils – 7 p.m.

Implications: The Canadiens have won seven straight games and now sit just two points back from the Lightning and Sabres at the top of the division standings. Root for the Devils.

Islanders at Hurricanes – 7 p.m.

Implications: The top overall seed in the conference is still in play for the Sabres. The Hurricanes have a two-point lead and one fewer game played. Root for the Islanders here.

Playoff format

Eight teams from the Eastern Conference will qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The format is a set bracket that is largely division-based with wild cards. 

The top three teams in each division will make up the first six teams in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The remaining two spots will be filled by the next two highest-placed finishers in each conference (wild cards), based on regular-season record and regardless of division.

 Tie-breaking procedures

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

1. The fewer number of games played (i.e., superior points percentage).
2. The greater number of games won, excluding games won in Overtime or by Shootout (i.e., 'Regulation Wins'). This figure is reflected in the RW column.
3. The greater number of games won, excluding games won by Shootout. This figure is reflected in the ROW column.
4. The greater number of games won by the Club in any manner (i.e., 'Total Wins'). This figure is reflected in the W column.
5. The greater number of points earned in games against each other among two or more tied clubs. For the purpose of determining standing for two or more Clubs that have not played an even number of games with one or more of the other tied Clubs, the first game played in the city that has the extra game (the 'odd game') shall not be included. When more than two Clubs are tied, the percentage of available points earned in games among each other (and not including any 'odd games') shall be used to determine standing.
6. The greater differential between goals for and against (including goals scored in Overtime or awarded for prevailing in Shootouts) for the entire regular season. This figure is reflected in the DIFF column.
7. The greater number of goals scored (including goals scored in Overtime or awarded for prevailing in Shootouts) for the entire regular season. This figure is reflected in the GF column.