Courtesy National Hockey League…
Stanley Cup Playoff Race Update for Friday, April 26
WHO CAN CLINCH TODAY?
Western Conference
No. 8 Minnesota Wild would clinch a playoff berth if they defeat Edmonton in any fashion.
WHICH PLAYOFF MATCHUPS CAN BE LOCKED TODAY?
Eastern Conference
Series "A" (No. 1 Pittsburgh vs. No. 8 NY Islanders) would be locked if Buffalo defeats NY Islanders in regulation.
WHO CAN FINISH WHERE?
Eastern Conference
Team Current Possible Finish
Pittsburgh 1st 1st (locked)Boston 2nd 2nd or 4thWashington 3rd 3rd (locked)Montreal 4th 2nd or 4thToronto 5th 5th or 6thOttawa 6th 5th, 6th, 7th or 8thNY Rangers 7th 6th, 7th or 8thNY Islanders 8th 6th, 7th or 8th
Western Conference
Team Current Possible Finish
Chicago 1st 1st (locked)Anaheim 2nd 2nd (locked)Vancouver 3rd 3rd (locked)St. Louis 4th 4th, 5th or 6thLos Angeles 5th 4th, 5th or 6thSan Jose 6th 4th, 5th, 6th or 7thDetroit 7th 7th, 8th or 9thMinnesota 8th 6th, 7th, 8th or 9thColumbus 9th 7th, 8th or 9th
OVERVIEW
* two playoff berths will be claimed over the final 18 games of the regular-season schedule, both in the Western Conference (they will go to two clubs among No. 7 Detroit, No. 8 Minnesota and No. 9 Columbus)* only five of the 16 playoff seeds have been fixed (No. 1 Pittsburgh and No. 3 Washington in the East; No. 1 Chicago, No. 2 Anaheim and No. 3 Vancouver in the West)* none of the eight playoff matchups has been determined* there are 34 potential first-round series -- 17 in each Conference (listed below). These 34 possible series will be reduced to the eight that will be contested in the Stanley Cup Playoffs beginning Tuesday, April 30.
