NHL Playoff Picture 2022: Latest Postseason Bracket, Predictions and More

Tampa Bay Lightning clinched a place in the NHL playoffs with a 4-3 overtime win over the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday. Pittsburgh Penguins also secured a spot in this year's playoffs. Colorado Avalanche are the only team in West that has clinching a playoff spot.

The Eastern Conference has eight teams in the playoffs. Florida Panthers are expected to be the top seed. The Panthers have won eight consecutive games. Washington lost to Toronto on Thursday, but it had won six of its previous eight games and is still in contention. Pittsburgh and Boston will be seeded No. 7 and No 8. New York Rangers will play against No 5 Tampa Bay Lightning. Islanders and Blue Jackets are still mathematically alive. They are unlikely to overtake the Bruins and Capitals.

Colorado is the only team that has clinched a playoff berth in the West. Vegas, Vancouver and Winnipeg are still alive in playoffs. Colorado is running away with the No. 1 seed, having won eight games in a row. The Golden Knights have made the playoffs each of their first four years in NHL. They have won seven of the last nine games. Vegas and Dallas play on April 26. Los Angeles will play well enough to make the postseason. Dallas will get knocked out. It's possible that Vegas will win that game.