NHL Playoff Standings 2023: Latest Playoff Picture, Bracket & Matchups

With less than two weeks to go before the 2023 NHL Playoffs are tentatively set to begin, several teams have reached the stage where every game is a must-win. The first round of the playoffs is currently scheduled to begin on April 17. However, depending on cancelations or delays, it could be pushed back.

As of April 5, six teams from each conference have already clinched a spot in the postseason, with the Wild Card spots in each conference yet to be determined.

If the NHL Playoffs were to start today, the Seattle Kraken and the Winnipeg Jets would claim the Wild Card positions for the Western Conference.

The Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference would belong to the Florida Panthers and New York Islanders if the postseason were to begin today.

However, with the Pittsburgh Penguins one point behind the Islanders and Panthers with four games remaining, there is a chance that they will sneak in.

NHL Playoff Bracket & Matchups

As the playoff teams will battle for seeding, while also waiting on the results of the Wild Card positions, there are some matchups that have already been confirmed. One of the key matchups of the opening round will see the Tampa Bay Lightning take on the Toronto Maple Leafs in a battle between two of the Eastern Conference's strongest teams.

"RUN IT BACK! Leafs vs Lightning Round One…LETS GO" - FanDuel Canada

Both the Boston Bruins and Carolina Hurricanes will be matched up with the Wild Card teams, so both clubs will be paying close attention to the remaining regular season games. The final matchup of the Eastern Conference's opening round will likely see the New Jersey Devils take on their regional rivals the New York Rangers.

Unlike the Eastern Conference, the West is much tighter, with the number one seed for the NHL Playoffs yet to be determined. While the Vegas Golden Knights are currently sitting in first, the Edmonton Oilers sit three points behind them, with the Los Angeles Kings four points back.

"One will almost be cheering the Kings later this week as they take on Vegas, I don't know if I can cope with another series against the Kings. Todd Mac knows the Oilers well enough, to be able to stiffle us more than anyone else. Don't want to be a nervous wreck going into r2" - @leia27971