The Stanley Cup Playoffs begin next week, but there is still much left to be sorted out in the final two days of the NHL regular season. The packed 15-game slate on Thursday serves as the final game of the regular season for most teams around the league, and there are a plethora of different possibilities for playoff implications. Let’s take a look at all the different 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs scenarios for Thursday’s games.
2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs Scenarios: What’s at Stake?
Eastern Conference
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Florida Panthers
The Hurricanes can clinch the Metropolitan Division and the No. 2 seed with a win over the Panthers. But if they lose or get just a point, things get complicated. In that case, the New Jersey Devils could leapfrog the Hurricanes in the standings and win the Metropolitan Division. For the Panthers, a loss means they will stay in the conference’s second Wild Card spot and face the tall task of going up to Boston for a seven-game series against the No. 1-seeded Bruins.
Per DraftKings Sportsbook, the Hurricanes and Panthers are dead even at -110 on the moneyline for tonight’s game.
New Jersey Devils vs. Washington Capitals
As mentioned above, the Devils will be hoping the Panthers can pull it out, giving them a chance to win the division and earn the No. 2 seed. They are currently a point behind the Canes but own the tiebreaker thanks to having more regulation wins throughout their impressive season.
Given the Capitals’ demise this season, they are just hoping to gain more ground in the draft lottery before the season concludes. The Devils (-175) are the favorite in this one.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. New York Rangers
These two teams have cemented their spots in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, with the Rangers earning the No. 3 spot in the Metropolitan Division and the Toronto Maple Leafs owning the No. 2 spot in the Atlantic Division. The Maple Leafs will play the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the playoffs, while the Rangers will play either the Devils or Hurricanes (whichever one does not win the Metropolitan Division).
Western Conference
Winnipeg Jets vs. Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche and Stars are currently locked in a tight race for the Central Division title. The Avalanche could lose out in the battle if they lose to the Jets and the Stars defeat the St. Louis Blues Thursday. They have another game on Friday but will need to win or hope for a Stars loss for that game to matter in the standings.
The Jets are locked into the second Wild Card spot in the conference and will await the winner of the Pacific Division in the first round of the playoffs (currently the Las Vegas Golden Knights).
St. Louis Blues vs. Dallas Stars
The Stars entered the season as a heavy underdog to knock off the defending champion Avalanche in the Central Division but now find themselves with a real opportunity. With a point in hand, the Stars will have to hope the Avalanche can lose or tie one of their next two games. If that case scenario occurs, they will be the champs with a win on Thursday.
If the Stars lose to the Blues, they will have to hope Colorado only notches 1 point (or less) in the final two games of the season.
Minnesota Wild vs. Nashville Predators
The Wild locked in their spot as the No. 3 seed in the Central Division with a loss against the Jets earlier in the week, meaning they’ll visit either the Stars or Avalanche in the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Predators stayed relevant in the Wild Card race up until the final week but lost out to the Jets.
San Jose Sharks vs. Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers have a chance to win the Pacific Division with a win over the Sharks coupled with a loss by the Golden Knights. Any other outcome and the Knights will take the crown. Still, the Oilers are setting themselves up for a deep run in the postseason and have been clicking at the right time.
Edmonton has won eight straight games, going 17-2 since late last month. The Oilers (-500) unsurprisingly come in as a heavy favorite in their last game against the lowly Sharks.
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Seattle Kraken
All the Vegas Golden Knights have to do is beat the Kraken and they will have locked up the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. If they lose and Edmonton wins, they’ll fall second in the division and in the conference. But this game has importance for the Kraken, as well. Seattle cannot lose their spot as the top Wild Card team but can climb up to the No. 3 spot in the Pacific Division with a win and loss by the Los Angeles Kings in regulation.
As you can see, there are many different Stanley Cup Playoffs scenarios on the table as we enter the final two days of the regular season. Bettors looking for the best value should check out OddsShopper tools to get some highly rated NHL bets!
