Fact: The teams that settle the Stanley Cup
The top three teams from the four divisions are directly qualified for the playoffs, as well as the two highest placed teams in the respective conference (which consists of two divisions each). The final series is decided in the best of seven games.
From Eastern: Carolina, New Jersey, New York Rangers.
From Atlantic: Boston, Toronto, Tampa Bay.
Wild cards, Eastern Conference: New York Islanders, Florida.
From Central: Dallas, Colorado, Minnesota.
From Pacific: Vegas, Edmonton, Los Angeles.
Wild cards, Western Conference: Seattle, Winnipeg
Source: NHL
The New York Islanders managed to clinch the final playoff spot when they beat Montreal 4–2 in their final game of the regular season.
Brock Nelson scored twice for the Islanders and Ilja Sorokin made 17 saves. Hudson Fasching and Anders Lee each scored a goal.
Goal scorer Fasching spoke after the match about the reactions in the team when it became clear that they had advanced to the playoffs.
— We were ecstatic. Seeing everyone so happy was wonderful. It’s been a long road and a lot of ups and downs and I’m just happy we’re here now, he said in an interview in the dressing room after the game.
Islanders guard Noah Dobson said after the game that it shows how tough the league is when it takes 82 innings to make the playoffs.
— We have worked hard and we deserve to be. It is pure relief. Now we have to take a day to recharge and then the fun begins, said Dobson in the dressing room.
The playoffs, the Stanley Cup, begin on April 17. A possible seventh final will be played on June 19.
Half of the 32 teams, 16, reach the playoffs, eight from the Eastern Conference and as many from the West.