NHL Wild Card race: Teams still in contention for a playoff place ft. Pittsburgh Penguins and Calgary Flames

The 2022-23 NHL regular season is coming to an end, with most teams having ten or fewer games left before the playoffs begin. The current league season concludes on April 14, and the NHL playoffs are set to begin on April 17.

The Boston Bruins (57-11-5) have already qualified for the playoffs and have won the Atlantic Division. Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes (47-16-9) and New Jersey Devils (46-19-8) are the other two teams in the league that have secured a playoff spot.

As the regular season comes to a close, the picture of which teams will make the playoffs becomes clearer. However, there is still a battle going on between the teams vying for the Wild Card spot in each Conference. The following is a detailed look at the teams competing for two Wild Card spots in both Conferences.

NHL Eastern Conference Wild Card picture

With 83 points, the New York Islanders (37-28-9) currently lead the Eastern Wild Card standings. They are in a good position if they don't drop too many points in their remaining games. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Penguins (36-27-10) are one point behind the Islanders. To make the playoffs, the Penguins will need to be consistent in their final nine games.

The Florida Panthers (36-30-7) are the closest team to the Penguins for the second Wild Card spot, trailing by only three points. The Panthers have ten games remaining on their schedule, four of which are against the other East wild card contenders. If the Panthers are to make the playoffs, they must hit form.

The Buffalo Sabres (35-31-6) trail the Panthers by three points and the Pittsburgh Penguins by six points. The team is on a two-game winning streak. The team also has a game advantage over the other contenders, and in order to make the playoffs, the Sabres will need to make a late push.

The Washington Capitals (34-32-8) are also on for 76 points. The Capitals have been struggling recently, with only two wins in their last five games. With eight games remaining, the Capitals will need help from other teams if they are to make the playoffs.

NHL Western Conference Wild Card picture

The NHL playoff picture for the Western Conference Wild Card Spot is already clear. Seattle Kraken (40-24-8) and the Winnipeg Jets (41-30-3) are coming out as the clear favorites to book their playoff berth from the West.

The Calgary Flames (33-26-15) and Nashville Predators (36-28-8) are the only two teams in contention for a Wild Card spot. They still need the teams above them to drop points while they secure wins, which is very possible as the season draws to a close.