NHL Eastern Conference Wild Card Race: Updated points table after Penguins, Capitals and Red Wings games 

The Eastern Conference Wild Card race got tighter after some key games on Thursday night. The Pittsburgh Penguins (37-30-12) defeated the Detroit Red Wings (36-32-9) 6-5 in overtime. The Penguins now have 86 points with three games remaining and hold the second Eastern Conference Wild Card spot.

The Red Wings fell to 85 points with three games left, putting their playoff hopes in jeopardy. Meanwhile, the Washington Capitals (37-31-11) lost 4-2 to the Buffalo Sabres. The Caps remain stuck on 85 points with three games to go.

Notably, they hold the tiebreaker over the Red Wings based on having more regulation/overtime wins.

The Philadelphia Flyers (37-32-11) kept their faint playoff hopes alive by beating the New York Rangers 4-2. The Flyers have 85 points with two games remaining.

In the race for the top Eastern Conference Wild Card spot, the Tampa Bay Lightning (44-27-8) have a firm grip with 96 points. They appear destined to finish first in the group.

So in the tight battle for the final Eastern Conference Wild Card berth, the Penguins hold the advantage with 86 points. The Capitals, Red Wings and Flyers are right behind with 85.

Eastern Conference:

Atlantic Division

Atlantic Division	GP	W	L	OTL	PTS
1. Boston Bruins	79	46	18	15	107
2. Florida Panthers	80	50	24	6	106
3. Toronto Maple Leafs	79	46	24	9	101

Metropolitan Division

Metropolitan Division	GP	W	L	OTL	PTS
1. New York Rangers	80	53	23	4	110
2. Carolina Hurricanes	79	50	22	7	107
3. New York Islanders	79	35	27	15	89

Eastern Conference Wild Card Race

Eastern Conference Wild Card Race	GP	W	L	OTL	PTS
1. Tampa Bay Lightning	79	44	27	8	96
2. Pittsburgh Penguins	79	37	30	12	86
3. Washington Capitals	79	37	31	11	85
4. Detroit Red Wings	79	36	32	9	85
5. Philadelphia Flyers	80	37	32	11	85

Western Conference:

Central Division

Central Division	GP	W	L	OTL	PTS
1. Dallas Stars	80	50	21	9	107
2. Winnipeg Jets	79	47	24	6	104
3. Colorado Avalanche	79	49	24	9	104

Pacific Division

Pacific Division	GP	W	L	OTL	PTS
1. Vancouver Canucks	79	48	22	8	105
2. Edmonton Oilers	77	48	24	5	101
3. Los Angeles Kings	78	41	26	11	93

Western Conference Wild Card Race

Western Conference Wild Card Race	GP	W	L	OTL	PTS
1. Nashville Predators	79	45	29	5	95
2. Vegas Golden Knights	88	42	28	8	92
3. St. Louis Blues	79	42	32	5	89

The Western Conference playoff race is also coming down to the wire. The Nashville Predators (45-29-5) hold the top Wild Card spot but have struggled lately, losing four of their last seven games. Still, their playoff position seems secure.

Meanwhile, the Vegas Golden Knights ((42-28-8) have fallen out of third place in the Pacific Division after dropping three straight. However, newly acquired Tomas Hertl impressed in his first game with Vegas, so they still have hope entering the final stretch.

The St. Louis Blues (42-32-5) are just three points behind the Golden Knights for the second Wild Card berth. But with games against the Dallas Stars ((50-21-9) and Carolina Hurricanes (50-22-7) left, claiming that spot won't be easy.

Ultimately, the last few games will decide who claims the final playoff spots in East and West.

Who do you think will make the playoffs? Who do you think will just miss out? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.