* **Q: When do the 2025 NHL Playoffs start?
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ARTICLE DETAIL
NHL Playoff Picture Nears Completion: Canadiens Eye Final Spot, Flames Eliminated | Japan vs. Czechia: A World Baseball Classic Celebration of Global Baseball | FA Cup Quarter-Final Draw: Man City vs. Liverpool Headlines | Mikal Bridges Struggles with Inconsistency, Plagued by Foul Trouble | Nazar's PPG Wins It in Overtime: Blackhawks Beat Mammoth | Pacers-Clippers Trade: Mathurin and Zubac's Impact | Troy Wins Sun Belt Tournament, Earns NCAA Berth | RMU Men's Hockey Advances to AHA Semifinals After Tense Series | Oregon State Basketball: The End of the Wayne Tinkle Era | NHL Playoff Picture Nears Completion: Canadiens Eye Final Spot, Flames Eliminated | Japan vs. Czechia: A World Baseball Classic Celebration of Global Baseball | FA Cup Quarter-Final Draw: Man City vs. Liverpool Headlines | Mikal Bridges Struggles with Inconsistency, Plagued by Foul Trouble | Nazar's PPG Wins It in Overtime: Blackhawks Beat Mammoth | Pacers-Clippers Trade: Mathurin and Zubac's Impact | Troy Wins Sun Belt Tournament, Earns NCAA Berth | RMU Men's Hockey Advances to AHA Semifinals After Tense Series | Oregon State Basketball: The End of the Wayne Tinkle Era
Sports / Nhl
NHL Playoff Picture Nears Completion: Canadiens Eye Final Spot, Flames Eliminated
The 2025 NHL regular season is drawing to a dramatic close, with the Stanley Cup Playoff bracket nearly finalized. Only one spot remains undecided in the Eastern Conference, hinging on a crucial matchup tonight, while the Western Conference...
Key Insights
- **Eastern Conference Wild Card Race:** The Montreal Canadiens need just one point against the Carolina Hurricanes tonight (April 16) to clinch the second Eastern Conference wild-card spot.
- **Clinching Scenario:** If the Canadiens secure a point (win or overtime/shootout loss), they make the playoffs for the first time since 2021 and face the Washington Capitals. If they lose in regulation, the Columbus Blue Jackets remain alive but must defeat the New York Islanders in regulation on Thursday.
- **Hurricanes Roster:** Carolina is resting several key players (Aho, Jarvis, Staal, Slavin) for their game against Montreal, potentially aiding the Canadiens' chances. Coach Rod Brind'Amour's son, Skyler, is expected to make his NHL debut.
- **Western Conference Set:** The Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues secured the final spots, finalizing the Western Conference playoff bracket. The Winnipeg Jets clinched the Presidents' Trophy.
- **Flames Eliminated:** The Calgary Flames have been eliminated from playoff contention for the third consecutive season, despite a late push.
- **Playoffs Start Date:** The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs are scheduled to begin on Saturday, April 19.
- **Why this matters:** The final playoff spot determines crucial first-round matchups, impacting betting odds, fan excitement, and team strategies heading into the postseason. For eliminated teams like the Flames, the focus shifts to offseason adjustments and building for the future.
In-Depth Analysis
The final days of the NHL regular season are filled with tension, primarily centered around the last Eastern Conference playoff berth. The Montreal Canadiens control their destiny; a single point against a depleted Carolina Hurricanes lineup tonight seals their playoff return. This scenario highlights the importance of every point earned throughout the grueling 82-game season. The Hurricanes, already locked into their playoff position (M2), are prioritizing rest for their stars, a common strategy for teams gearing up for a deep playoff run.
Should the Canadiens falter in regulation, the Columbus Blue Jackets get a lifeline, needing a regulation win on the season's final day. This pressure underscores the NHL's tiebreaker procedures, where regulation wins are the first determining factor, adding complexity to end-of-season strategies.
In the West, the picture is clear. The Winnipeg Jets secured the top seed, while the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues grabbed the wild-card spots after Tuesday's games. Established matchups include Jets vs. Blues, Stars vs. Avalanche, Golden Knights vs. Wild, and Kings vs. Oilers.
For teams like the Calgary Flames, elimination marks a point of reflection. Despite staying competitive longer than some expected during a "retooling" season under new GM Craig Conroy, scoring woes (30th in goals per game) and struggles on special teams (19th PP, 25th PK) ultimately hindered their playoff push.
**Flames: How to Prepare & Who This Affects Most** * **How to Prepare:** Calgary needs to address offensive generation and special teams efficiency in the offseason. Continued development of their young core (Wolf, Coronato, Zary, Parekh) is crucial. Strategic free-agent signings or trades could bolster scoring depth. * **Who This Affects Most:** Flames fans, players, and management are most affected. It extends the playoff drought but offers hope through the emergence of young talent like goalie Dustin Wolf, a Calder Trophy candidate, and promising prospects like Zayne Parekh. Veterans like Huberdeau (showing improvement) and Kadri (career-high goals) will be key leaders moving forward.
FAQ
* **Q: How are playoff ties broken in the NHL?
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* **Q: Which teams have clinched playoff spots?
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Takeaways
- Watch the Canadiens vs. Hurricanes game tonight – it likely decides the final playoff team.
- Understand the tiebreaker implications if Montreal loses in regulation.
- Familiarize yourself with the set playoff matchups in both conferences.
- For Flames fans, focus on the positive development of young players like Dustin Wolf as a sign of future potential.
- Keep track of the official playoff schedule once released after the regular season concludes.
Discussion
The intensity of the final playoff push is palpable! For the Canadiens, the pressure is immense but the opportunity is clear. For the Flames, the season ends with disappointment but also optimism for their young core.
*Do you think the Canadiens will clinch tonight, or will the Blue Jackets get a chance on Thursday? Let us know!*
*Share this article with others who need to stay ahead of the NHL playoff race!* Share on X/Twitter target="_blank" Share on LinkedIn target="_blank" Share on Reddit target="_blank"
Sources
Source 1: When do NHL playoffs start? 2025 schedule, latest standings and bracket (USA TODAY) target="_blank"
Source 2: Canadiens vs. Hurricanes: Game thread, rosters, lines, and how to watch (Habs Eyes on the Prize) target="_blank"
Source 3: Flames miss Stanley Cup Playoffs for 3rd straight season (NHL.com) target="_blank"
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