NHL Playoff Picture: Who would be in if season ended today?

As the NHL trade deadline approaches, everyone is gearing up to buy for a push to make the playoffs. With so much parity in the league now, it’s anyone’s guess as to who will sneak in.

Let’s take a look at the possible playoff matchups that we might see if the season ended today.

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NHL Eastern Conference

WC2 Washington Capitals vs 1A Boston Bruins

Two of the older teams in the NHL. Don’t think the Capitals would pose much of a threat to the juggernaut Bruins, but after getting bounced from the playoffs a year ago it would be fun to see the Capitals try again.

3A Tampa Bay Lightning vs 2A Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs fans wouldn’t like this. A rematch against the Lightning and as the home seed? Maple Leafs fans are going to start having some serious heart wrenching flashbacks if it happens again.

WC1 Pittsburgh Penguins vs 1M Carolina Hurricanes

Sid can give it one last run, but the Hurricanes are almost too good. The depth on the Hurricanes should make them a clear favorite against every team in the East save one.

3M New York Rangers vs 2M New Jersey Devils

A rivalry that deserves a little more love as a first-round matchup in the Big Apple. The elder statesmen and experienced Rangers against the hotshot, young Devils. What gets better than that?

NHL Western Conference

WC2 Calgary Flames vs 1C Dallas Stars

A first-round rematch of one of the most fun series from a year ago but with the roles reversed? Sign me up please. Oettinger vs Markstrom Round 2, bring it on.

3C Colorado Avalanche vs 2C Winnipeg Jets

The Jets would be new to the playoffs as the host team against the returning Stanley Cup champs. The Jets might even be the underdog in this series, but the Avalanche would have to beat a rowdy Canada Life Centre as well.

WC1 Edmonton Oilers vs 1P Vegas Golden Knights

Connor McDavid, the best player in hockey, against a Vegas team on its last legs and searching for another cup run. Both these franchises are desperate for a cup run, and that’s what would make this first round series so exciting.

3P Seattle Kraken vs 2P Los Angeles Kings

Two of the flashiest young teams taking each other in the playoffs. The Kraken haven’t been on this stage before, and the Kings were bounced before they even got their feet yet. The lights of LA against the clouds and rain of the PNW.