In the East, six teams have already secured their spots. However, the third spot in the Metropolitan Division and the second wildcard place are still up for grabs.
Lately, none of the five remaining teams have been able to distinguish themselves and pull ahead. These teams are all within two points of each other, which promises an exciting home stretch.
The five teams competing for two spots
New York Islanders
Many people believed that the Islanders' chances of making the playoffs hinged on Ilya Sorokin, who almost won the Vezina Trophy last year.
However, 35-year-old Semyon Varlamov has been playing most games recently, starting five out of the last eight. He clinched four games out of these with a save percentage of .938.
Playing the last two games against the top-positioned Rangers isn't the best scenario, but the last season game with the Penguins could be crucial.
Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings are solely vying for the second wild card spot, being the lone team from the Atlantic Division in this competition. Missing out would be quite a letdown for Detroit as they aim to break their seven-year stretch without a playoff appearance, which is the second-longest in the NHL.
Detroit probably has the best of the remaining game schedules of the five teams. Winning against the Capitals and Penguins could bring them a lot of points.
The Leafs are almost certain to stay third in the Atlantic Division and don't have much at stake for the final games. The Canadiens are currently one of the least successful teams in the league. The Red Wings, who previously had a secure spot in the playoffs, are now struggling after winning only five of their past 18 games.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Jake Guentzel and Sidney Crosby have recently carried the team with their extraordinary performance, earning 16 points during Pittsburgh's 6-0-2 run. Right now, the Penguins are the most in-form team among these.
The Penguins have consistently used Alex Nedeljkovic as their goaltender for eight straight games, preferring him over Tristan Jarry, despite Jarry having a fresh five-year contract worth $26.9 million. During these games, Nedeljkovic has managed to maintain an impressive save percentage of .917.
Pittsburgh has the advantage over the Flyers, Capitals, and Islanders, thanks to more wins in basic game time. However, their upcoming games aren't easy.
Washington Capitals
The Capitals have a goal difference of minus-41, ranking them sixth worst in the league. This stat would make them the lowest-scoring playoff team in the NHL in three decades. However, even with frequent decisive losses, Spencer Carbery's team has a talent for winning close matches.
Washington continues to stay in the game for two main reasons. Their stand-in goalkeeper, Charlie Lindgren, has covered many of the team's shortfalls with his outstanding performance throughout the season.
Star forward Alex Ovechkin is also back on a scoring streak. After a slow start to the season, Ovechkin scored an impressive 21 goals in his last 31 games.
The Capitals could return to the playoffs after missing out last season. They might need regulation wins against the Red Wings and Flyers and another win elsewhere.
Philadelphia Flyers
Many didn't expect the Flyers to be in their current position. They've spent a long time in third place in the Metro, defying expectations. But they're currently struggling more than any other team on this list. Their coach, John Tortorella, has been defensive about claims that they're not worthy contenders in the race.
Philadelphia's season hangs in the balance, depending on their goalie performance. Samuel Ersson is losing momentum, and Ivan Fedotov, the new face, has seen limited match time in North America. Their last showdown against the Capitals might be a deciding match for the Flyers.
