NHL Playoff Picture: Tight Race in Eastern Conference Sparks Tiebreaker Drama

As the NHL regular season nears its end, tiebreaking procedures become crucial for determining playoff seeding. In case of teams ending with the same points, regulations wins, regulation and overtime wins, total wins, head-to-head points, goal differential and total goals are considered. Currently, four teams in the Eastern Conference are vying for the final playoff spot with only two points separating them.

For instance, if the Washington Capitals and Detroit Red Wings both win their upcoming games, the Capitals hold the advantage due to more regulation wins. However, if the Pittsburgh Penguins also reach 90 points, they secure the spot with more regulation wins. A game between the Flyers and Capitals could be decisive with the Flyers potentially clinching the berth based on tiebreaking criteria like goal differential.