The 2021 NHL season is coming to an end, although the official end date of the season is still undetermined. As of now, the last regular season game is scheduled for May 19, when the Flames host the Canucks.
Regardless of when things officially end and when the playoffs officially begin, the playoff races are still going on. Since teams only play opponents in their own division, every game creates a four-point swing and there is a good chance that positioning will not be decided until the divisions finish their games.
MORE: When do the NHL playoffs start? First round schedule, odds of winning the Stanley Cup 2021 chase
Unlike in previous years, this season four teams from each of the four divisions will advance, with the top seed facing the fourth seed and No. 2 against No. 3. The winners then compete against each other before the champions of each division meet for the semi-finals.
This is what the playoff bracket of the Stanley Cup 2021 looks like at this minute.
Last updated: 11:51 p.m. ET on May 13.
All probabilities from Sports Club Stats.
NHL playoff rating 2021
East department
1. Pittsburgh Penguins (77 points, 29 RW)
- Remaining games: 0
- Percentage score: .688
- Playoff probability: Clinched Division title
Pittsburgh is your champion in the East Division.
2. Washington Capitals (77 points, 29 RW)
- Remaining games: 0
- Percentage score: .688
- Playoff probability: Clinged berth
The Capitals defeated the Bruins on Tuesday night to end their season but lost the division’s title race.
3. Boston Bruins (73 points, 25 RW)
- Remaining games: 0
- Percentage score: .652
- Playoff probability: Clinged berth
The Bruins lost to the Capitals on Tuesday night while mostly playing their backups. You will face Washington in the first round on Saturday.
4. New York Islanders (71 points, 24 RW)
- Remaining games: 0
- Percentage score: .634
- Playoff probability: Clinged berth
In the first round it will be islander penguins.
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Officially excluded from the competition: New Jersey Devils, Buffalo Sabers, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers
North department
1. Toronto Maple Leafs (77 points, 29 RW)
- Remaining games: 1
- Remaining opponents: Winnipeg (Friday)
- Percentage score: .700
- Playoff probability: Clinched Division title
The division champions lost a matchup of the Battle of Ontario against the Senators in overtime on Wednesday.
2. Edmonton Oilers (72 points, 31 RW)
- Remaining games: 1
- Remaining opponents: Vancouver (Saturday)
- Percentage score: .655
- Playoff probability: Clinged berth
Edmonton stayed sharp on Wednesday with a 4-3 overtime win in Montreal.
3. Winnipeg Jets (61 points, 23 RW)
- Remaining games: 1
- Remaining opponents: Toronto (Friday)
- Percentage score: .555
- Playoff probability: Clinged berth
A 5-0 win over the Canucks gave the Jets a third place finish in the North Division and a first-round appointment with the Oilers.
4. Montreal Canadiens (59 points, 20 RW)
- Remaining games: 0
- Percentage score: .527
- Playoff probability: Clinged berth
Montreal ended its regular season with the OT loss to Edmonton. Now it’s time for a matchup in the first round of Original Six against Toronto.
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Officially excluded from the competition: Ottawa Senators, Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks
Central department
1. Carolina Hurricanes (80 points, 27 RW)
- Remaining games: 0
- Percentage score: .714
- Playoff probability: Clinched Division title
The Hurricanes lost to their first-round opponent, the Predators, for the second game in a row on Monday.
MORE: Hurricanes broadcaster Tripp Tracy talks about Stanley Cup playoffs
2. Florida Panthers (79 points, 26 RW)
- Remaining games: 0
- Percentage score: .700
- Playoff probability: Clinged berth
Florida beat the Blitz – their opponent in the first round – on Saturday and Monday to end the season.
3. Tampa Bay Lightning (75 points, 29 RW)
- Remaining games: 0
- Percentage score: .670
- Playoff probability: Clinged berth
The defending champions are officially there and face another run at the Lord Stanley’s Cup.
4. Nashville Predators (64 points, 21 RW)
- Remaining games: 0
- Percentage score: .556
- Playoff probability: Clinged berth
Pekka Rinne stopped the Predators with a 5-0 win in the team’s regular season final – and, as it looked after the game, in Rinne’s regular season career final.
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Officially excluded from the competition: Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Dallas Stars
West Division
1. Colorado Avalanche (82 points, 35 RW)
Remaining games: 0
Percentage score: .732
Playoff probability: Division titles and Presidents’ Trophy
With a 5-1 win over the Kings on Thursday, the Avalanche not only secured the top spot in the West, but also the Presidents’ Trophy 2021.
2. Vegas Golden Knights (82 points, 30 RW)
- Remaining games: 0
- Percentage score: .732
- Playoff probability: Clinged berth
The Golden Knights ended their regular season on Wednesday 6-0 against the Sharks and fell to the 2-seed on Thursday.
3. Minnesota Wild (75 points, 27 RW)
- Remaining games: 0
- Percentage score: .670
- Playoff probability: Clinged berth
Not that it mattered in the standings, but the Wild lost 3-3 to the Blues on Thursday to end the season.
4. St. Louis Blues (63 points, 19 RW)
- Remaining games: 0
- Percentage score: .562
- Playoff probability: Clinged berth
See: Wild
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Officially excluded from the competition: Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks, Arizona Coyotes, Los Angeles Kings
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