NHL playoff standings: Latest on the Eastern wild-card chaos

The final day of the regular season is exactly two weeks away, but the race for the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot remains open for five contenders.

Two of those teams are in action Thursday night. The Montreal Canadiens host the Boston Bruins (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+), and the Columbus Blue Jackets welcome the Colorado Avalanche (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+).

As play begins Thursday, the Canadiens hold the second wild card with 79 points and 25 regulation wins through 74 games; the New York Rangers are tied in standings points (and ahead in RW, with 32), but have played more games. The Blue Jackets are two behind in points, and one behind in regulation wins. The idle Detroit Red Wings (75 points, 26 RW) and New York Islanders (74 points, 25 RW) round out the quintet.

The Stathletes projection model likes the Canadiens' chances to make the playoffs the most, at 42.1%, followed by the Blue Jackets (27.4%), Rangers (26.8%), Islanders (2.8%) and Red Wings (2.7%). How will this all shake out? Thursday's pair of games featuring these teams will provide our next set of clues.

With the regular season ending April 17, we'll help you track it all with the NHL playoff watch. As we traverse the final stretch, we'll provide details on all the playoff races, along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2025 NHL draft lottery.

Note: Playoff chances are via Stathletes.

Jump ahead:br/>Current playoff matchupsbr/>Clinching scenariosbr/>Today's schedulebr/>Yesterday's scoresbr/>Expanded standingsbr/>Race for No. 1 pick

Current playoff matchups

Eastern Conference

Western Conference

Clinching scenarios

The Tampa Bay Lightning will clinch a playoff berth if:

• They defeat the Ottawa Senators in any fashion


• They lose in overtime/shootout to the Senators, AND either the Montreal Canadiens lose to the Boston Bruins in any fashion OR the Columbus Blue Jackets lose to the Colorado Avalanche in any fashion


• Both the Canadiens and Blue Jackets lose in regulation

The Avalanche will clinch a playoff berth if:

• They defeat the Blue Jackets in any fashion


• They lose in overtime/shootout to the Blue Jackets, AND the Calgary Flames lose to the Anaheim Ducks in any fashion


• The Flames lose to the Ducks in regulation

Thursday's games

Note: All times ET. All games not on TNT or NHL Network are available to stream on ESPN+ (local blackout restrictions apply).

Wednesday's scoreboard

Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

x - Toronto Maple Leafs

Points: 96