Sun Apr 06 16:50:00 UTC 2025: ## NHL Playoff Race Heats Up: Wild Card Battles Define Final Games

**New York, NY** – With only a handful of games remaining in the regular season, the race for the Stanley Cup Playoffs is reaching fever pitch. While some teams have secured their playoff spots, intense battles for the remaining wild card positions are gripping both the Eastern and Western Conferences.

In the East, the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers have clinched playoff berths, leaving three spots open for contention. The Montreal Canadiens currently hold a narrow four-point lead over the New York Rangers for the second wild card spot, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion to the season.

The Western Conference presents a similarly exciting scenario. The Los Angeles Kings joined the Vegas Golden Knights in securing Pacific Division playoff berths, leaving three spots up for grabs. The Minnesota Wild’s recent slump has opened the door for teams like the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks to challenge for a wild card position.

The daily fluctuations in standings emphasize the unpredictable nature of the final games. CBS Sports’ NHL playoff race tracker will provide updated standings to keep fans informed as the postseason approaches. Tiebreakers will be decided by regulation wins, then regulation plus overtime wins; shootout wins do not count towards the latter.

**Key Standings (as of [Date of original text, needs to be added]):**

*(Note: This is a shortened version of the standings provided in the original text. The full standings were too long to be included in a news article format.)*

**Eastern Conference:** The Canadiens and Rangers are locked in a tight battle for the second wild card spot.

**Western Conference:** The Flames, Canucks, and other teams are vying for the remaining wild card positions after the Wild’s recent struggles.

The final games promise thrilling matchups and uncertain outcomes, with the playoff picture shifting daily.

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