NHL Playoff Bracket 2024: Projected Matchups After Rangers Clinch Presidents’ Trophy

Andrew PetersApril 16, 2024

Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images

After Monday night’s win over the Ottawa Senators, the New York Rangers have clinched the Metropolitan Division, Eastern Conference No. 1 seed and the Presidents’ Trophy, and the NHL playoff picture is starting to come together.

x – New York Rangers @NYRangersPresidents’ + Eastern + Metro.

Now, let’s get to work. #LGR pic.twitter.com/pCpIeQg1da

Heading into the playoffs, New York is a team no team will want to face.

Behind star wing Artemi Panarin, who leads the team in goals and assists, the Rangers are looking for a deep playoff run after facing a first-round exit a year ago.

The New York Islanders also managed to secure a playoff berth with their win over the New Jersey Devils.

With just three days remaining in the NHL season, the playoff picture will be crystalized by the end of the week. Before then, here’s the playoff picture with the current seeding.

Eastern Conference

Boston Bruins vs. Tampa Bay LightningFlorida Panthers vs. Toronto Maple LeafsNew York Rangers vs. Washington CapitalsCarolina Hurricanes vs. New York IslandersOf the projected Eastern Conference matchups, one of those series is already set. The Hurricanes will face the Islanders in the first round as those teams have already solidified their playoff spot.

NHL @NHLThis #StanleyCup Playoffs matchup is locked in! 🔒

The @Canes will go head-to-head with the @NYIslanders in the First Round!

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The obvious favorite in that series is the Hurricanes, who have the second-best record in the league behind the Rangers, but the Islanders will be looking for an early upset.

Though they are a wild-card team, the Lightning could give the Bruins some trouble in a first-round meeting. Tampa Bay has been hot at the right time and it has plenty of momentum heading into the postseason.

The final wild-card spot in the East is still up for grabs as the Capitals, Red Wings and Flyers could clinch it.

Western Conference

Dallas Stars vs. Vegas Golden KnightsWinnipeg Jets vs. Colorado AvalancheVancouver Canucks vs. Nashville Predators Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles KingsThe Stars missed out on the Presidents’ Trophy with the Rangers clinching it Monday night, but they should still feel confident heading into the postseason. Dallas has already clinched the Central Division and can take its foot off the gas some toward the end of the season as it awaits its first-round matchup.

The Jets need one win in their final two games to clinch second place in the Central Division.

While the race for the final wild-card spot in the East is still very much on, things are much different in the West. The playoff teams are established, so it’s now mostly a fight for seeding. The Predators, Kings and Golden Knights are each battling for playoff positioning.

Nashville has just about clinched the first wild-card spot—it has an 88 percent chance to get it via PlayoffStatus.com—so it’s more of a race between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Whoever doesn’t get the No. 3 seed in the Pacific Division between the Kings and Golden Knights will get the final wild-card spot.