If the NHL playoffs started today, here's how the brackets would look and a breakdown of each team's chances and remaining schedules:
Eastern Conference
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
The Hurricanes are a force to be reckoned with, having reached the Eastern Conference finals in two of the last three seasons. With the Panthers out of the playoff race, Carolina has a strong chance to make it to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2006. Their coach, Rod Brind'Amour, was part of that historic team.
The Blue Jackets, under Rick Bowness, have been rejuvenated and are currently in the wild-card spot. They've gone 19-5-4 since Bowness took over, but their playoff fate remains uncertain.
Hurricanes' Schedule:
- vs. Montreal (Sunday)
- at Columbus (Tuesday)
- vs. Columbus (Thursday)
- vs. New York Islanders (April 4)
- at Ottawa (April 5)
- vs. Boston (April 7)
- at Chicago (April 9)
- at Utah (April 11)
- at Philadelphia (April 13)
- at New York Islanders (April 14)
Blue Jackets' Schedule:
- vs. Boston (Sunday)
- vs. Carolina (Tuesday)
- at Carolina (Thursday)
- vs. Winnipeg (April 4)
- at Detroit (April 7)
- at Buffalo (April 9)
- at Montreal (April 11)
- vs. Boston (April 12)
- vs. Washington (April 14)
New York Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
The Islanders, with their strong defense and goalie Ilya Sorokin, are on a roll with three wins in their last four games. They've been helped by Columbus' recent struggles.
The Penguins, led by Sidney Crosby, are making a strong comeback after a four-year playoff drought. They've won one game in their last four, but their draft picks and new coach, Dan Muse, give them a promising future.
Islanders' Schedule:
- vs. Pittsburgh (Monday)
- at Buffalo (Tuesday)
- vs. Philadelphia (Friday)
- at Carolina (April 4)
- vs. Toronto (April 9)
- vs. Ottawa (April 11)
- vs. Montreal (April 12)
- vs. Carolina (April 14)
Penguins' Schedule:
- at New York Islanders (Monday)
- vs. Detroit (Tuesday)
- at Tampa Bay (Thursday)
- vs. Florida (April 4)
- vs. Florida (April 5)
- at New Jersey (April 9)
- vs. Washington (April 11)
- at Washington (April 12)
- at St. Louis (April 14)
Buffalo Sabres vs. Boston Bruins
The Sabres, once with low playoff odds, are now leading the Atlantic Division. Their best players are shining, and even journeyman goalie Alex Lyon has been impressive.
The Bruins, in a wild-card spot, have a strong home record thanks to Jeremy Swayman's goal-saving prowess. They'll need their home advantage as they have only three home games left.
Sabres' Schedule:
- vs. New York Islanders (Tuesday)
- at Ottawa (Thursday)
- at Washington (April 4)
- vs. Tampa Bay (April 6)
- at New York Rangers (April 8)
- vs. Columbus (April 9)
- at Chicago (April 13)
- vs. Dallas (April 15)
Bruins' Schedule:
- at Columbus (Sunday)
- vs. Dallas (Tuesday)
- at Florida (Thursday)
- at Tampa Bay (April 4)
- at Philadelphia (April 5)
- at Carolina (April 7)
- vs. Tampa Bay (April 11)
- at Columbus (April 12)
- vs. New Jersey (April 14)
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens
The Lightning, despite not winning their division, are still considered favorites for the Stanley Cup. They have the best odds and a strong lineup with Nikita Kucherov and Andrei Vasilevskiy.
The Canadiens, under Martin St. Louis, are on the rise with Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki leading the way. It's a funny turn of events, given their recent rebuild.
Lightning's Schedule:
- vs. Nashville (Sunday)
- vs. Montreal (Tuesday)
- vs. Pittsburgh (Thursday)
- vs. Boston (April 4)
- at Buffalo (April 6)
- at Ottawa (April 7)
- at Montreal (April 9)
- at Boston (April 11)
- vs. Detroit (April 13)
- vs. New York Rangers (April 15)
Canadiens' Schedule:
- at Carolina (Sunday)
- at Tampa Bay (Tuesday)
- at New York Rangers (Thursday)
- at New Jersey (April 4)
- vs. New Jersey (April 5)
- vs. Florida (April 7)
- vs. Tampa Bay (April 9)
- vs. Columbus (April 11)
- at New York Islanders (April 12)
- at Philadelphia (April 14)
Western Conference
Colorado Avalanche vs. Nashville Predators
The Avalanche, led by Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, are a dominant force with the league's best offense and defense. Their goalie, Scott Wedgewood, is also exceptional.
The Predators, under Rick Bowness, have been building toward playoff contention. They've made strategic trades and kept veterans like Ryan O'Reilly and Steven Stamkos.
Avalanche's Schedule:
- vs. Calgary (Monday)
- vs. Vancouver (Wednesday)
- at Dallas (April 4)
- vs. St. Louis (April 5)
- at St. Louis (April 7)
- vs. Calgary (April 9)
- vs. Vegas (April 11)
- at Edmonton (April 13)
- at Calgary (April 14)
- vs. Seattle (April 16)
Predators' Schedule:
- at Tampa Bay (Sunday)
- at Los Angeles (Thursday)
- at San Jose (April 4)
- at Los Angeles (April 6)
- at Anaheim (April 7)
- at Utah (April 9)
- vs. Minnesota (April 11)
- vs. San Jose (April 13)
- vs. Anaheim (April 16)
Dallas Stars vs. Minnesota Wild
The Stars, with a strong offense and defense, are aiming for their fourth consecutive Western Conference final. They have a new coach and a talented lineup.
The Wild, led by Kirill Kaprizov and Quinn Hughes, have made strategic acquisitions and have a strong goaltending tandem. This potential matchup in the opening round is highly anticipated.
Stars' Schedule:
- at Philadelphia (Sunday)
- at Boston (Tuesday)
- vs. Winnipeg (Thursday)
- vs. Colorado (April 4)
- vs. Calgary (April 7)
- vs. Minnesota (April 9)
- vs. New York Rangers (April 11)
- at Toronto (April 13)
- at Buffalo (April 15)
Wild's Schedule:
- vs. Vancouver (Thursday)
- at Ottawa (April 4)
- at Detroit (April 5)
- vs. Seattle (April 7)
- at Dallas (April 9)
- at Nashville (April 11)
- at St. Louis (April 13)
- vs. Anaheim (April 14)
Anaheim Ducks vs. Utah Mammoth
The Ducks, led by youth and veterans, are in the driver's seat for the Pacific Division title. They've added John Carlson for a well-deserved playoff push.
The Mammoth, with their strong underlying metrics, are building toward playoff contention. They've added MacKenzie Weegar and are a force to be reckoned with.
Ducks' Schedule:
- vs. Toronto (Monday)
- at San Jose (Wednesday)
- vs. St. Louis (Friday)
- vs. Calgary (April 4)
- vs. Nashville (April 7)
- vs. San Jose (April 9)
- vs. Vancouver (April 12)
- at Minnesota (April 14)
- at Nashville (April 16)
Mammoth's Schedule:
- at Seattle (Thursday)
- at Vancouver (April 4)
- vs. Edmonton (April 7)
- vs. Nashville (April 9)
- vs. Carolina (April 11)
- at Calgary (April 12)
- vs. Winnipeg (April 14)
- vs. St. Louis (April 16)
Edmonton Oilers vs. Vegas Golden Knights
The Oilers, despite missing Leon Draisaitl, have won three consecutive games. Connor McDavid is leading the way, and Connor Ingram is their goaltending star.
The Golden Knights, with Mitch Marner, have made a big splash but are yet to consistently beat playoff teams. Rasmus Andersson has also fallen short of expectations.
Oilers' Schedule:
- vs. Seattle (Tuesday)
- vs. Chicago (Thursday)
- vs. Vegas (April 4)
- at Utah (April 7)
- at San Jose (April 8)
- at Los Angeles (April 11)
- vs. Colorado (April 13)
- vs. Vancouver (April 16)
Golden Knights' Schedule:
- vs. Vancouver (Monday)
- vs. Calgary (Thursday)
- at Edmonton (April 4)
- at Vancouver (April 7)
- at Seattle (April 9)
- at Colorado (April 11)
- vs. Winnipeg (April 13)
- vs. Seattle (April 15)
