Predictions for the ultimate two weeks of the NHL season

The 2023-24 NHL common season concludes April 18, with the Stanley Cup playoffs starting April 20.

However earlier than we get there, there are some races with runway remaining, together with for 2 spots within the Japanese Convention bracket, and for the Presidents’ Trophy and No. 1 general seed.

So to assist dissect these conditions — and assist us find the important thing matchups remaining on the calendar — we have gathered a roundtable of NHL analysts to serve up takes on the most important questions proper now.

What recreation will you be watching most carefully within the last two weeks?

Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporter: Washington Capitals at Philadelphia Flyers on April 16. One might argue that watching any Caps, Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins or New York Islanders recreation might be value it over the ultimate two weeks. Caps-Flyers has an opportunity to be compelling as a result of it might decide which workforce will get into the playoffs on the ultimate day of the common season. However that is assuming the races for the ultimate Metropolitan Division and/or Japanese Convention wild-card spots have not been determined but.

Victoria Matiash, NHL analyst: If the celebs align completely, the lean between the Penguins and Islanders on April 17 might function a playoff ticket for the winner and a knockout blow for the loser. Enjoyable stuff. And it seems totally potential, relying on how the Detroit Purple Wings, Capitals and Flyers additionally handle earlier than then.

Arda Öcal, NHL broadcaster: Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Florida Panthers on April 16, as a result of that is seemingly a first-round matchup preview and I am a fan of most bedlam in regular-season conferences between groups dealing with off within the postseason. Give me all of the chaos in that one.

Kristen Shilton, NHL reporter: How concerning the recreation I hope to be watching most carefully, and that is Penguins-Islanders on April 17. It is perhaps good chaos: the final day of the East’s common season, with two Metro Division rivals nonetheless battling it out for the ultimate Japanese Convention playoff spot. The Penguins and Isles have been written off too many instances to rely this season. It is solely becoming they’re pitted towards one another with their playoff hopes on the road. That is large theater.

Greg Wyshynski, NHL reporter: The Purple Wings journey to face the Penguins on April 11. Granted, by that point, we’d have a extremely clear image on whether or not the Wings belong within the playoff dialog. But when they’re, I like this check for a burgeoning contender on the street towards a Penguins workforce that has clearly heated up down the stretch. If Detroit does make the playoff reduce — and thus would not fumble its spot away — it should be with two factors in a recreation like this.

Who’s going to take the East’s second wild-card spot?

Clark: I’ve to go along with the Islanders or Penguins. They’ve actually seemed like the 2 most constant groups in that individual race of late. Even then, the onerous half about making any predictions involving the ultimate East wild-card spot is every thing about these groups has been unpredictable.

Matiash: Whereas maybe in uncommon firm — no less than exterior of Michigan — I feel the Purple Wings pull this off. They’re primarily wholesome, together with captain Dylan Larkin, and goalie Alex Lyon is trying like his higher self once more. Plus, there’s a variety of perception in that room. I additionally scent a star flip from Patrick Kane within the season’s waning days. In grand scope, the Flyers and Capitals appear to be working out of fuel, the Islanders’ face a tricky closing schedule, whereas Pittsburgh is enjoying properly sufficient to safe third within the Metro Division.

Öcal: No person. It’ll find yourself in a five-way tie, and the highest seed within the East will simply get a bye to the second spherical. Simply kidding! Not less than that is what it looks as if ought to occur. It is fairly chaotic, but when the Penguins do take it, Sidney Crosby deserves Hart Trophy votes. If it is the Flyers, identical factor with John Tortorella for the Jack Adams.

Shilton: It needs to be Pittsburgh. And that is purely due to Sidney Crosby. It will be silly to guess towards him after how the Pens’ captain has dragged them to this stage and continues to nightly put their playoff hopes proverbially on his again. Granted, it will not be straightforward and there are different terrific contenders, however it actually looks as if Crosby is not going to be denied a chance.

Wyshynski: Give me the Penguins ending third within the Metro and the Purple Wings discovering a strategy to take the ultimate wild card. I am a bit nervous for the Islanders with the New York Rangers twice on their schedule after which a recreation towards the Devils. Late within the season as it’s, and with these groups clearly in several head areas because the playoffs arrive, native rivalry video games are all the time unpredictable in spots like these. I might see that final recreation towards Pittsburgh as an elimination recreation for the Islanders. They at present have a tiebreaker drawback on the remainder of the East contenders.

Who wins the Presidents’ Trophy?

Clark: I will take the Dallas Stars, permitting that the Boston Bruins or Rangers even have good possibilities. It is onerous to essentially predict one workforce over the opposite due to the schedules. Three of the Stars’ last 4 video games are towards groups which are out of rivalry for a playoff spot. As for the Bruins and Rangers, they every have three video games towards groups which are both enjoying for seeding or making an attempt to get into the playoffs.

Matiash: The Rangers might be onerous to catch, even when they provide some key gamers a recreation or two off. There is not any probability they roll over towards the Islanders — whom they play twice of their last 4 video games — whereas a slated matchup with the fumbling Flyers additionally seems favorable. Perhaps the Rangers lose to the Ottawa Senators to shut out the common season April 15? However with 5 days off (minimal) earlier than New York’s potential playoff opener, there is not any purpose to not wrap up with a bang.

Öcal: Let’s go along with the Bruins for the second straight season, however it looks as if it will not be a repeat of their stunning first-round exit this time round. Perhaps there might be much less stress than having the very best common season of all time, and that may set them up for a strong playoff run.

Shilton: The Rangers have an inside observe. Dallas will give them a run, although, and it would not shock me to see the Stars get — and keep — forward of New York down the stretch. That stated, the Rangers have been extra constant all through the season, and that is why I would give them an edge. Nevertheless, these races will also be impacted by who’s resting who within the last weeks, as properly, particularly as soon as playoff seeding is settled. It’s going to be curious to see if groups on the prime preserve pushing for the Presidents’ Trophy or concentrate on relaxation and restoration.

Wyshynski: The Rangers take it. They have been projected for 114 factors getting into Sunday’s motion and have a lot of winnable video games down the stretch. I do assume it may very well be shut with the Stars ultimately, however the Rangers maintain a great lead in factors and have tiebreaker benefits.

Probably the most spectacular workforce proper now’s ___________.

Clark: The Tampa Bay Lightning aren’t probably the most spectacular however are probably the most harmful proper now. It has been that method since late February. They’ve gained video games in commanding vogue and have been in a position to win shut contests, too. Brayden Level and Steven Stamkos have been harmful, whereas Nikita Kucherov is enjoying like somebody who might win his second Hart Trophy. In the meantime, this has been probably the most constant Andrei Vasilevskiy has seemed all season. It is beginning to seem like the Lightning might damage somebody’s emotions within the playoffs.

Matiash: How ’bout them Stars? Unparalleled scoring depth — exemplified by eight gamers with 20 objectives and counting — disciplined protection and a beginning netminder who’s enjoying his greatest when it issues most. Then there’s that 13-3-0 file since Feb. 29. Pete DeBoer’s crew is quietly scary.

Öcal: The Islanders are on a four-game win streak, identical to the Pens. The Pens appear to be the direct reply to this query, however I’ll notice that the Isles have the chance to go on a run to finish the season, which might make them probably the most spectacular workforce.

Shilton: It needs to be Pittsburgh. Placing a pin within the Crosby of all of it, the Penguins have gotten wonderful goaltending from backup Alex Nedeljkovic, their depth scoring has come alive finally, the veterans are thriving, and there is a clear sense of perception in all the squad that they belong within the playoffs. And, Pittsburgh is resilient. Simply take a look at their win Saturday towards Tampa Bay. The previous Penguins might need allowed that blown result in finish in defeat. As a substitute, they stayed on a great Lightning workforce and got here away with two factors. That is spectacular.

Wyshynski: The Penguins are successful video games, however the Stars are enjoying extra spectacular hockey down the stretch. They’ve the league’s second-best factors share previously two weeks, and the NHL’s greatest anticipated objectives share in that span. Few groups boast their depth at ahead. Now that Jake Oettinger has returned to type, the Stars are a downright scary workforce within the Western Convention.