The 2021-2022 NHL Regular Season ends on April 30. Then starting on Monday, May 2, qualifying playoff squads hit the ice for the quest to win the Stanley Cup. Check out which teams have locked down playoff spots, teams that are out, and what matchups would look like if the quest for the Cup started today.

Teams That Have or Don’t Have Their Spot Secured in the 2022 NHL Playoffs

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— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 18, 2022

Who’s in the 2022 NHL Playoffs for the Eastern Conference

• Atlantic Division: Florida Panthers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Tampa Bay Lightning, Boston Bruins. Florida has played like the best team in the East since Day 1. The Panthers were good last season as well. The biggest surprise among the four is that Toronto has a better record than Tampa Bay. The Maple Leafs could be in line for a deep playoff run. So put Toronto on your radar.
• Metropolitan Division: Carolina Hurricanes, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals. Before the season started, many expected the Carolina Hurricanes to win the Metropolitan. So the fact Carolina has the best record in the division doesn’t surprise. The Caps and Pens securing playoff spots does. The New York Rangers boasting the second best record in the Metro truly surprises.

Who’s in the 2022 NHL Playoffs for the Western Conference

• Central Division: Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota Wild, St. Louis Blues. Colorado has the NHL’s best record. The Avalanche will have home ice throughout the playoffs. Minnesota and St. Louis are on a collision course in the first round. Wild versus Blues should be Round 1’s most exciting series.
• Pacific Division: Calgary Flames. Only Calgary has locked down a spot from the Pacific. The Flames are a surprise since most believed the Vegas Golden Knights would take the division.

Who’s out of the 2022 NHL Playoffs for the Eastern Conference

• Atlantic Division: Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, Ottawa Senators, Montreal Canadiens. The Canadiens went from first to worst. Montreal battled Tampa Bay in last year’s Stanley Cup. This season, the Canadiens failed to make the playoffs.
• Metropolitan Division: New York Islanders, Columbus Blue Jackets, New Jersey Devils, Philadelphia Flyers. Lots of surprises in the Metro. The Islanders and Flyers both sported terrific records last season. This season, both are out.

Who’s out of the 2022 NHL Playoffs for the Western Conference

• Central Division: Chicago Blackhawks, Arizona Coyotes. No surprises here. Chicago and Arizona weren’t supposed to do much in the division.
• Pacific Division: Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks, Seattle Kraken. No surprises here, either. Seattle is an expansion team. Anaheim and San Jose aren’t very good teams.

Projected Matchups If the 2022 NHL Playoffs Started Today

Eastern Conference

Florida Panthers vs. Washington Capitals

Don’t expect a Florida sweep. The Capitals are good enough to pull off the first round upset. The Panthers do not want to face D.C. in the first round.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

Along with Wild versus Blues, Leafs versus Lightning should go seven. Tampa Bay hasn’t played as well this season as they did in the last couple of seasons. It feels like the Maple Leafs are due. So, again, put Toronto on your radar.

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Boston Bruins

The Bruins are a solid club. But Carolina believes they can win the Stanley Cup. It will be interesting to see how many games Boston can steal from the Canes.

New York Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

Armani Panarin versus Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin should make for some great hocky. The Penguins are strong enough to knock out the Rangers.

Western Conference

Calgary Flames vs. Nashville Predators

Calgary should make quick work of the Preds. But the Flames always seem to make the playoffs and then fail in the first round. So if this happens, handicap the series fully before laying money on either squad.

Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings

Leo Draisatl and Connor McDavid should dominate the Kings. The fact Los Angeles can make the playoffs, there’s a week left in the regular season, is an accomplishment.

Colorado Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars

If the Stars end up facing the Avs, watch out. The matchups do not favor Colorado. Dallas has as good of a blue line as any in the league. So Nathan MacKinnon and his mates could be in for a long series. The Stars could end up a wise guy choice to knock out the top seed.

Minnesota Wild vs. St. Louis Blues

Wild versus Blues could be a classic series. Both teams are gearing up for a deep playoff run. Both squads have the talent to win the Stanley Cup and these two know each other well.

Check out our latest sports betting guides for the 2022 NHL season. Stay tuned for more hockey previews and articles and don’t forget to check out the latest hockey betting odds at our online Bitcoin sportsbook.

*All stated odds are subject to change without prior notice.