STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF PRIMER

EASTERN CONFERENCE

There are 11 days remaining in the NHL regular season, and the race for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the Eastern Conference is extremely tight. The Tampa Bay Lightning have clinched the Atlantic Division, Eastern Conference and Presidents' Trophy, while the Washington Capitals, New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins are battling for first place in the Metropolitan Division. The Carolina Hurricanes continue to hold the first wild card in the conference.

HERE IS WHERE THE EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF PICTURE STANDS TODAY

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING (59-14-4)

Where they stand: 122 points; clinched Presidents' Trophy, Eastern Conference, Atlantic Division

Games remaining: five (one home; four road)

Key game: at Boston Bruins, April 6

If playoffs started today: Would play the Montreal Canadiens in first round 

Next game: vs. Capitals, Saturday (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, SUN, NBCSWA, NHL.TV)

BOSTON BRUINS (46-21-9)

Where they stand: 101 points; second in Atlantic Division; clinched playoff berth

Games remaining: six (three home; three road)

Key games: vs. Lightning, April 6 

If playoffs started today: Would play the Toronto Maple Leafs in first round 

Next game: vs. New York Rangers, Wednesday (7:30 p.m. ET; NBCSN)

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (45-25-6)

Where they stand: 96 points; third in Atlantic Division

Games remaining: six (two home; four road)

Key game: at Montreal Canadiens, April 6 

If playoffs started today: Would play the Bruins in first round 

Next game: at Philadelphia Flyers, Wednesday (7 p.m. ET; SN, TVAS, NBCSP, NHL.TV)

WASHINGTON CAPITALS (45-24-8)

Where they stand: 98 points; first in Metropolitan Division

Games remaining: five (two home, three road)

Key games: vs. New York Islanders, April 6 

If playoffs started today: Would play the Carolina Hurricanes in first round 

Next game: at Hurricanes, Thursday (7 p.m. ET; ESPN+, FS-CR, NBCSWA, NHL.TV)

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS (42-24-11)

Where they stand: 95 points; second in Metropolitan Division

Games remaining: five (four home; one road)

Key games: vs. Carolina Hurricanes, Sunday 

If playoffs started today: Would play the New York Islanders in first round

Next game: vs. Nashville Predators, Friday (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, TVAS, ATTSN-PT, FS-TN, NHL.TV)

NEW YORK ISLANDERS (44-26-7)

Where they stand: 95 points; third in Metropolitan Division

Games remaining: five (two home, three road)

Key games: at Capitals, April 6 

If playoffs started today: Would play the Pittsburgh Penguins in first round 

Next game: at Winnipeg Jets, Thursday (8 p.m. ET; ESPN+, TSN3, MSG+, NHL.TV) 

CAROLINA HURRICANES (42-27-7)

Where they stand: 91 points; first wild card from Eastern Conference

Games remaining: six (three home, three road)

Key games: vs. Capitals, Thursday; at Penguins, Sunday 

If playoffs started today: Would play the Capitals in first round

Next game: vs. Capitals, Thursday (7 p.m. ET: ESPN+, FS-SW, NBCSN, NHL.TV)

MONTREAL CANADIENS (41-28-8)

Where they stand: 90 points; second wild card from Eastern Conference 

Games remaining: five (two home; three road)

Key games: at Columbus Blue Jackets, Thursday; at Capitals, April 4 

If playoffs started today: Would play the Lightning in the first round  

Next game: at Blue Jackets, Thursday (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, FS-O, TSN2, RDS, NHL.TV)

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS (42-30-4)

Where they stand: 88 points; two points out of second wild card

Games remaining: six (two home; four road)

Key games: vs. Montreal Canadiens, Thursday; vs. Boston, April 2 

If playoffs started today: Would not qualify

Next game: at Islanders, Thursday (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, FS-O, TSN2, RDS, NHL.TV) 

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS (36-32-8)

Where they stand: 80 points; 10 points out of second wild card 

Games remaining: six (three home, three road)

Key games: vs. Maple Leafs, Wednesday; at Hurricanes, March 30

If playoffs started today: Would not qualify 

Next game: vs. Maple Leafs, Wednesday (7 p.m. ET; SN, TVAS, NBCSP, NHL.TV)

The Buffalo Sabres, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, Detroit Red Wings, Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers have been eliminated from playoff contention in the Eastern Conference.