As the final week of the 2024–25 regular season is upon us, the final standings are close to being set. Let’s take a look at some of the races that are still to be decided in the final edition of the playoff picture. 

Pacific Division almost set

The Pacific Division is nearly set in stone, with the Vegas Golden Knights taking the top spot. The Los Angeles Kings appear to have the second seed, getting home-ice advantage against the Edmonton Oilers.

The Kings have been hot since the trade deadline, and a rematch with the Oilers will give them a good chance to exercise their demons. The Knights, meanwhile, will take on the top Wild Card. 

Who will faceoff in the Central Division?

The Winnipeg Jets have all but clinched their division, a fitting end to a wonderful regular season. The Dallas Stars put together a valiant push, but will be the second seed.

The Stars reward is home ice against the Colorado Avalanche in the first round, a titanic matchup that could easily have been a conference final. The quality of the teams is high, but the storylines involving Mikko Rantanen give an added kick to what will be one of the most intriguing series. 

The Western Wild Card still up for grabs

Only one team sits outside the playoffs with a chance to make it in, as time is running thin. For now, the St. Louis Blues and Minnesota Wild hold the Wild Card spots. The Wild, rejuvenated by the return of Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson-Ek, seem to have stabilized.

The seeding still has to be decided as well, as the top Wild Card will face the Knights, while the second will face the Jets. Given the Wild are getting healthy, and the Blues have been incredible under Jimmy Montgomery, there may not be an easy series waiting for either division winner. 

Preparing for an interesting Atlantic matchup

Of all the division leaders, the Toronto Maple Leafs have the most tenuous hold on the title. Still, the Leafs seem poised to do so given their recent win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Lightning seem to have the second spot, giving them home -ce against the Florida Panthers, who are poised to finish third. The in-state rivals have traded series wins in years past, but this might shape up to be the most competitive series the teams have authored. 

Metropolitan Division has been set

The Metro is the most solidified in terms of seeding. The Washington Capitals have clinched the conference, the Carolina Hurricanes to hold home ice over the New Jersey Devils in the first round.

The Devils are hobbled, limping towards the finish. Without Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton the chance of a long run is diminished, as is the mood. 

Who will earn an Eastern Wild Card spot?

While the Ottawa Senators have clinched a playoff spot, the Montreal Canadiens have not. Sitting in the second Wild Card spot, there is a quartet of teams that are still alive, though just barely.

Chances are none of the New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Columbus Blue Jackets, or Detroit Red Wings will be able to pass the Canadiens. None of the teams on the outskirts have won more than five of their last ten games, an indictment of their mediocre seasons. The odds are that the Sens will hold on to face the winner of the Atlantic Division, while the Habs will go on to face the Caps. 

Draft lottery soon to be determined

The San Jose Sharks are poised to finish last, earning them a 25.5% chance at the first overall pick this June. The Chicago Blackhawks do have a slight chance at finishing below the Sharks, though neither team has made a habit of collecting points.

The Nashville Predators are cemented in third last, but there is a peloton of bottom feeders that can still jostle for positions. From fourth last to eighth last teams are separated by only a few points, meaning a poorly timed winning streak could alter the draft fortunes for a weaker team. 

Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire

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