The Toronto Maple Leafs beat the odds and won the NHL draft lottery. That stroke of luck has completely changed the narrative around the moribund franchise. Just a day earlier, all one could talk about was the team’s appointment of new general manager John Chayka, which was being widely criticized. Now, it’s all about that No. 1 pick in next month’s draft.

18-year-old phenom Gavin McKenna is the unanimous top selection, and will certainly look good alongside Auston Matthews on the top line. Of course, the future of Matthews’ Leafs is a different story altogether.

As far as the No. 1 pick goes, the debate now focuses on whether Toronto should retain him, or trade him for more assets.

Former Stanley Cup-winning general manager and longtime NHL veteran executive Brian Burke knows what he will do. And this is not a question for him.

I’m not sure they’ll take Gavin McKenna. Not because he’s not a great prospect. But you can get three assets for this guy, and one of them can play right away… I know what I’d do. I’ll start shopping for that pick – today!

Remember, Burke is the guy who built a Stanley Cup champion in Anaheim as team president and GM. Of course, to play devil’s advocate, he’s also the guy who traded two first-round picks (who became Tyler Seguin and Dougie Hamilton) and a second-round pick to the Boston Bruins to acquire Phil Kessel for the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2009.

Could the Maple Leafs trade the No. 1 pick?

There has actually been quite a bit of discussion about what the Leafs could do if they chose to take that option. We know the Vancouver Canucks were hoping to get McKenna, who lived in nearby Kelowna, BC, during her teens. Would trading the top pick with the Canucks, in exchange for their No. 3 pick and a few other top assets, get them to bite?

The Leafs are without their first-round picks in both 2027 and 2028. Wouldn’t it be a huge coup for new GM Chayka to replenish that cupboard with another high-end first-rounder from Vancouver next year, perhaps another elite prospect/young player, and walk away with the third overall pick this year?

The Toronto front office has plenty of options available to Chayka and his compatriot Mats Sundin. But maybe some of it will come back to the captain. Whether or not Matthews is fully prepared to remain a Maple Leaf will impact Chayka and Sundin’s decision about what to do with the No. 1 pick.

Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, stories and content you may have missed on Saturday.

montreal canadiens news

We now know when (most) of the games in the first-round series between the Habs and Tampa Bay Lightning will take place. It should also be noted that Victor Hedman is not expected to return to the Bolts’ lineup any time soon, and Lane Hutson practiced with Caden Guhle for the Canadiens. [Canadiens Playoff Preview: Updated Lines, Tampa Bay Injury]

Rookie Ivan Demidov took over the line rush with Alex Newhook and Alex Texier on the second line, and he’s feeling confident about the upcoming assignment against the Lightning, which will certainly include providing some semblance of durable offense.

Ivan Demidov on playing with Alex Newhook and Alexandre Texier in Habs practice today:

“Very good line. Everyone is very skilled and fast and they are two very strong guys. I love playing with them.” pic.twitter.com/dO3ClWmj9e

– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) 18 April 2026

Former hub PK Subban believes the Canadiens and Oilers will face off in the Stanley Cup Finals, with the Canadiens emerging victorious. There’s nothing wrong with dreaming in Technicolor, but with all due respect to Subban, there’s a lot of hard hockey left to play. It seems that every year a disproportionate number of analysts suggest that two Canadian teams will join the final clubs.

.@PKSubban1 The Canadiens have won the Stanley Cup for the 25th time 👀🏆

Stanley Cup Playoff action begins today at 3PM ET on ESPN and the ESPN App! 🍿 pic.twitter.com/9MyPNhs8Lm

– ESPN (@espn) 18 April 2026

Jacob Dobbs hasn’t been one of the best goaltenders this season, but the mere fact that he’s not too far off the top-5 is quite encouraging. Unfortunately for the Canadiens, Andrei Vasilevskiy is fourth in the NHL in assists.

Top goalscorers of the 2025-2026 regular season https://t.co/RtBkDPbkvW pic.twitter.com/xy4xMcNxRD

– MoneyPuck.com (@MoneyPuckdotcom) 17 April 2026

Not surprisingly, as they were the youngest team during the regular season, the Habs will also feature the youngest lineup in the playoffs. This is also a big difference.

The Habs will be the youngest team in the NHL playoffs again this year. pic.twitter.com/gU6uyCiSKX

– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) 18 April 2026

Head coach Martin St-Louis left no doubt when discussing his allegiance to the Canadiens and his time with the Lightning.

Habs coach Marty St. Louis on facing his old team, the Tampa Bay Lightning, in the playoffs:

“I have no feelings for Lightning right now. Zero.” pic.twitter.com/yPIBokAo4S

– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) 17 April 2026

Many journalists expected Lightning to make quick work of Hubs, and statistically speaking, there is a lot of logic behind their opinion. The good news is that the games are played on ice, not on paper.

Sportsnet predictions for Habs vs. Lightning playoff series pic.twitter.com/xIvzEJkzas

– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) 18 April 2026

ICYMI: With Game One of the first-round series between the Habs and Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday, we continue our in-depth series previews, including a comparison of their respective special teams. [Playoff Preview: Canadiens Vs. Lightning Special Teams]

ICYMI: We evaluated some X-factors coming into the series, including the importance of finding open space for Nick Suzuki and the rest of the first line. The Canadiens score a lot of goals, but if Tampa Bay’s shutdown line finds its rhythm, things will quickly turn sour for Montreal. [Playoff Preview: Canadiens Vs. Lightning Top X Factors]

ICYMI: There is no doubt, the Tampa Bay Lightning have been the better team at 5v5 this season. However, when the numbers between Montreal and the Lightning are evaluated against each other in their four games, the discrepancy is less noticeable, with the Canadiens managing to control more shots than the Bolts. [Playoff Preview: Canadiens Vs. Lightning Head-To-Head]

Sportsknot Network

New Jersey Devils win general manager free agent frenzy. Sunny Mehta was named Devils GM on Thursday evening. Mehta, an analytical guru, will bring a fresh perspective to the position left by former GM Tom Fitzgerald. Said approach begins immediately. The Devils have a long list of things to address ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft and free agent frenzy. So, where does he start? [New Jersey Devils]

The San Jose Sharks have one of the best players in the NHL at the moment in 19-year-old Maclin Celebrini. Coming off a record-breaking season where he almost led the team to the playoffs, it appears the phenom will be rewarded with a new deal this summer. [San Jose Sharks]

How can the Sens upset the best team in the Eastern Conference? Let’s get into the details with five keys to the Ottawa Senators vs. Carolina Hurricanes victory. [Carolina Hurricanes]

Mark has been covering the Habs for over a decade. He previously worked for the Journal Metro, The Athletic, The… More about Mark Dumont

NHL playoff games continue the race for the Stanley Cup today, with key matchups shaping the first round of the postseason. Here is the complete Stanley Cup Playoff schedule, including start times, matchups and what to watch.

Update: April 17, 2026 – 9:39am ET

nhl playoff games today

• Total Games: 0
• Round: first round
• Featured matchups: N/A
• Elimination Game: N/A
• TV Coverage: N/A

today’s nhl playoff schedule

There are no NHL playoff games today, Friday, April 17.

Top NHL playoff matchups to watch

These games make the biggest impact based on momentum, star power and playoff implications.

• [Minnesota Wild vs Dallas Stars] – Minnesota-Dallas is the top NHL playoff matchup, as both teams are among the best in the league. This Central Division rivalry should be re-ignited in the first round.
• [Boston Bruins vs Buffalo Sabres] – Buffalo is back in the playoffs for the first time since 2011, while Boston looks to make some noise after missing out last year.

player to watch

Connor McDavid – Edmonton Oilers

Connor McDavid heads to the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs after losing the last two finals to the Florida Panthers. McDavid will lead Edmonton with his elite attack.

Nathan MacKinnon – Colorado Avalanche

Nathan MacKinnon wants to get Colorado into playoff hockey in June. MacKinnon would lead the Avalanche during the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Quinn Hughes – Minnesota Wild

Quinn Hughes could be the final puzzle for Minnesota. Hughes will help lead the Wild with his stellar offense and defense.

What’s at stake tomorrow?

• Carolina and Ottawa look to get off to a great start to the playoffs with wins
• Minnesota and Dallas continued their rivalry in the first round.
• Philadelphia and Pittsburgh renew Pennsylvania rivalry

This page is updated daily with today’s latest NHL games, start times and matchups.

READ MORE: Full NHL playoff pictures today – updated standings and Stanley Cup bracket

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work can also…more about Austin Konensky

The NHL has officially released the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoff schedule for the first round, detailing all matchups, game dates and start times as teams begin their quest toward the championship.

The opening round includes best-of-seven series in both conferences, featuring high-stakes matchups between division winners and wild-card teams.

Eastern Conference First-Round Matchups

The Eastern Conference First Round features eight teams in best-of-seven series, with the higher-seeded teams gaining home advantage in Games 1, 2, 5, and 7.

Below are the complete Eastern Conference matchups for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, including schedule and broadcast details for the first round.

Boston Bruins vs. Buffalo Sabers

Series Format: Best-of-seven | 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round

• Game 1: April 19, 2026 (7:30 p.m. ET) – Buffalo – ESPN
• Game 2: April 21, 2026 (7:30 p.m. ET) – Buffalo – ESPN
• Game 3: April 23, 2026 (7:00 p.m. ET) – Boston – TNT
• Game 4: April 26, 2026 (2:00 p.m. ET) – Boston – TNT
• Game 5 (if necessary): April 28, 2026 (TBD PM ET) – Buffalo – TBD
• Game 6 (if necessary): May 1, 2026 (TBD PM ET) – Boston – TBD
• Game 7 (if necessary): May 3, 2026 (TBD PM ET) – Buffalo – TBD

Boston’s experience meets Buffalo’s rising core in a physical Atlantic Division series that tests both depth and composure.

Montreal Canadiens vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

• Game 1: April 19, 2026 (5:45 PM ET) – Tampa Bay – TNT
• Game 2: April 21, 2026 (7:00 p.m. ET) — Tampa Bay — ESPN2
• Game 3: April 24, 2026 (7:00 p.m. ET) – Montreal – TNT
• Game 4: April 26, 2026 (7:00 p.m. ET) – Montreal – ESPN
• Game 5 (if necessary): April 29, 2026 (TBD PM ET) – Tampa Bay – TBD
• Game 6 (if necessary): May 1, 2026 (TBD PM ET) – Montreal – TBD
• Game 7 (if necessary): May 3, 2026 (TBD PM ET) – Tampa Bay – TBD

Tampa Bay’s playoff-tested roster faces a Montreal team looking to build on its postseason momentum in a rematch-style Atlantic showdown.

Ottawa Senators vs. Carolina Hurricanes

• Game 1: April 18, 2026 (3:00 PM ET) – Carolina – ESPN
• Game 2: April 20, 2026 (7:30 p.m. ET) – Carolina – ESPN2
• Game 3: April 23, 2026 (7:30 p.m. ET) – Ottawa – TBS
• Game 4: April 25, 2026 (3:00 PM ET) – Ottawa – TBS
• Game 5 (if necessary): April 27, 2026 (TBD PM ET) – Carolina – TBD
• Game 6 (if necessary): April 30, 2026 (TBD PM ET) – Ottawa – TBD
• Game 7 (if necessary): May 2, 2026 (TBD PM ET) – Carolina – TBD

Carolina’s structured, defensive style meets Ottawa’s young, fast-rising core in a series built on speed and discipline.

Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

• Game 1: April 18, 2026 (8:00 PM ET) — Pittsburgh — ESPN
• Game 2: April 20, 2026 (7:00 p.m. ET) – Pittsburgh – ESPN
• Game 3: April 22, 2026 (7:00 p.m. ET) – Philadelphia – TNT
• Game 4: April 25, 2026 (8:00 PM ET) – Philadelphia – TBS
• Game 5 (if necessary): April 27, 2026 (TBD PM ET) – Pittsburgh – TBD
• Game 6 (if necessary): April 29, 2026 (TBD PM ET) – Philadelphia – TBD
• Game 7 (if necessary): May 2, 2026 (TBD PM ET) – Pittsburgh – TBD

A renewed Pennsylvania rivalry adds intensity to a matchup defined by history, physicality and playoff experience.

The winners advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Western Conference First-Round Matchups

The Western Conference First Round features eight teams in best-of-seven series, with the higher-seeded teams gaining home advantage in Games 1, 2, 5, and 7.

Below are the complete Western Conference matchups for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Los Angeles Kings vs. Colorado Avalanche

• Game 1: April 19, 2026 (3:00 PM ET) – Colorado – TNT
• Game 2: April 21, 2026 (10:00 p.m. ET) – Colorado – ESPN
• Game 3: April 23, 2026 (10:00 p.m. ET) – Los Angeles – TNT
• Game 4: April 26, 2026 (4:30 PM ET) – Los Angeles – TNT
• Game 5 (if necessary): April 29, 2026 (TBD PM ET) – Colorado – TBD
• Game 6 (if necessary): May 1, 2026 (TBD PM ET) – Los Angeles – TBD
• Game 7 (if necessary): May 3, 2026 (TBD PM ET) – Colorado – TBD

A pace-driven Avalanche attack meets a defensively structured Kings roster in a classic contrast of styles.

Minnesota Wild vs. Dallas Stars

• Game 1: April 18, 2026 (5:30 p.m. ET) – Dallas – ESPN
• Game 2: April 20, 2026 (9:30 PM ET) – Dallas – ESPN
• Game 3: April 22, 2026 (9:30 PM ET) – Minnesota – TNT
• Game 4: April 25, 2026 (5:30 p.m. ET) – Minnesota – TBS
• Game 5 (if necessary): April 28, 2026 (12 p.m. ET) – Dallas – TBD
• Game 6 (if necessary): April 30, 2026 (1 p.m. ET) – Minnesota – TBD
• Game 7 (if necessary): May 2, 2026 (1 p.m. ET) – Dallas – TBD

Dallas’ balanced scoring and experience contrasts Minnesota’s disciplined defensive structure and goaltending prowess.

Utah Mammoth vs. Vegas Golden Knights

• Game 1: April 19, 2026 (10:00 p.m. ET) – Las Vegas – ESPN
• Game 2: April 21, 2026 (9:30 p.m. ET) — Las Vegas — ESPN2
• Game 3: April 24, 2026 (9:30 PM ET) – Utah – TBS
• Game 4: April 27, 2026 (TBD PM ET) – Utah – ESPN
• Game 5 (if necessary): April 29, 2026 (TBD PM ET) – Las Vegas – TBD
• Game 6 (if necessary): May 1, 2026 (TBD PM ET) – Utah – TBD
• Game 7 (if necessary): May 3, 2026 (TBD PM ET) – Las Vegas – TBD

Vegas’ playoff-tested core faces a Utah team that makes its inaugural postseason appearance under pressure.

Anaheim Ducks vs. Edmonton Oilers

• Game 1: April 20, 2026 (10:00 p.m. ET) – Edmonton – ESPN2
• Game 2: April 22, 2026 (10:00 p.m. ET) – Edmonton – TBS
• Game 3: April 24, 2026 (10:00 p.m. ET) – Anaheim – TNT
• Game 4: April 26, 2026 (9:30 PM ET) – Anaheim – ESPN
• Game 5 (if necessary): April 28, 2026 (TBD PM ET) – Edmonton – TBD
• Game 6 (if necessary): April 30, 2026 (TBD PM ET) – Anaheim – TBD
• Game 7 (if necessary): May 2, 2026 (TBD PM ET) – Edmonton – TBD

Edmonton’s high-powered attack tests Anaheim’s young roster and defensive structure.

nhl playoff format reminder

The Stanley Cup Playoffs consist of a 16-team bracket consisting of four best-of-seven rounds culminating in the Stanley Cup Finals.

What’s next in the NHL?

The winners advanced to the Conference Semifinals as the race for the Stanley Cup continued.

READ MORE: NHL Games Today – Full Schedule, Start Times & Matchups

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work can also…more about Austin Konensky

The NHL has officially announced the 16 teams for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. While the playoff field is now set, seeding remains undecided heading into the final days of the regular season. In fact, almost all of the first-round matchups have not yet been determined. Only one playoff series has been completely determined before the final game.

Here’s a look at the confirmed NHL playoff teams and what’s still at stake before the brackets are finalized.

Eastern Conference playoff teams

Atlantic Division

• buffalo saber
• tampa bay lightning
• montreal canadiens

Metropolitan Division

• carolina storm
• pittsburgh penguins
• philadelphia flyers

wild card teams

• boston bruins
• ottawa senators

Western Conference playoff teams

Central Division

• colorado avalanche
• dallas stars
• minnesota wild

Pacific Division

• vegas golden knights
• edmonton oilers
• anaheim ducks

wild card teams

• utah mammoth
• Los Angeles Kings

What still remains to be decided

• Vegas, Edmonton and Anaheim still fighting to win Pacific Division
• Boston and Ottawa have one more game to earn the top wild card spot in the Eastern Conference
• Utah and Los Angeles have two games to decide the wild card spot in the Western Conference
• Several NHL teams fighting for home ice advantage in the Stanley Cup playoffs

What’s next in the NHL?

The 16 NHL playoff teams may have been determined, but there is still plenty of intrigue to wrap up the 2025-26 regular season. The Pacific Division is still in contention while playoff position will be the most important factor over the next few days. After all, the Stanley Cup Playoffs reward teams that can earn home ice advantage.

While wild card drama won’t be present in the final days of the NHL regular season, there is a lot that needs to be determined before the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

READ MORE: Full NHL playoff pictures today – updated standings and Stanley Cup bracket

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work can also…more about Austin Konensky

The race for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs is reaching its final, chaotic stretch. With less than a week left in the NHL regular season, only seven teams are out of the playoff race, and the wild card battle is heating up in both conferences.

Here’s a look at the latest projected Stanley Cup playoff bracket, as well as updated division standings and the wild card race across the NHL.

Updated April 9 – Standings and brackets reflect games played April 8.

Projected 2026 Stanley Cup playoff bracket

Projected 2026 Stanley Cup playoff bracket following the NHL games on Wednesday, April 8.

eastern conference

western conference

Eastern Conference playoff picture

Atlantic Division

metro division

nhl wild card

X = won playoff
E=deleted

Western Conference playoff picture

Central Division

Pacific Division

nhl wild card

X = won playoff
E=deleted

When do the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs start?

• start date: Saturday, April 18

The first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs will begin on Saturday, April 18, two days after the conclusion of the 2025–26 NHL regular season.

READ MORE: First 2026 Stanley Cup Playoff Series Announced – Minnesota Wild vs. Dallas Stars

Austin Konensky is a sports writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and college football. His work…More about Austin Konensky

The Detroit Red Wings are collapsing. After another strong start to the NHL season, Detroit is out of the Stanley Cup playoffs with five games remaining. The Red Wings are two points behind the Ottawa Senators and their Stanley Cup playoff hopes are fading fast.

As of Monday, April 6, Detroit has a record of 4–6–0 in the last 10 games, with only one win in the last five games. In a 4–1 loss against the Minnesota Wild on Easter Sunday, the Red Wings equalized in the third period. Then, Red Wings forward Patrick Kane committed an selfish penalty, leading to a Minnesota power play goal.

After the Senators defeated the Carolina Hurricanes, Detroit is now two points out of the wild card picture without a tiebreaker. Now, the Red Wings need to win at least four of their next five games to make the Stanley Cup playoffs

Detroit Red Wings playoff approach, five games left in 2026

There’s an important week of NHL games coming up in Detroit. The Red Wings will need to win at least four games to overtake the Senators. Since Ottawa has the tiebreaker, Detroit needs to earn three more points over the organization in the next five games.

The Red Wings play the Columbus Blue Jackets, Philadelphia Flyers, New Jersey Devils, Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers to conclude the regular season. Detroit needs to win games against non-playoff teams, New Jersey and Florida, while looking to win two of three against Columbus, Philadelphia and Tampa Bay.

The biggest issue for the Red Wings is the remaining schedule for the Senators. Ottawa plays New Jersey, Florida, Tampa, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the New York Islanders. Currently four out of five teams are not in the playoffs. Granted, New York is also on the playoff bubble.

If the Senators win four of their next five games, they will advance to the playoffs, even if the Red Wings win all five games. This means Detroit does not need Ottawa to win more than three games if the team can consistently move up in the standings. However, this is only the senators’ angle.

The Red Wings will need to get past the Blue Jackets, possibly needing a win on Tuesday night. Detroit also needs to overcome the Islanders, who have a point in an additional matchup. However, Detroit has lost four of its last five games, and its record since the Olympic break is 8-9-3. The goaltending is sluggish while the offensive team is struggling to score in five-on-five play.

Time is running out, and if the Red Wings don’t turn the clock around on Tuesday night, their season will end in five games.

READ MORE: Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman will be on the hot seat if the team misses the NHL playoffs

Austin Konensky is a sports writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and college football. His work…More about Austin Konensky

It’s official, the Montreal Canadiens will participate in playoff hockey for the second consecutive season.

The Habs qualified for the playoffs thanks to a tremendous effort by the Detroit Red Wings vs. the Minnesota Wild. Detroit lost 5–4, meaning they could no longer catch the Canadiens.

Of course, the Canadiens could qualify with another win against the New Jersey Devils on Sunday night, but regardless of the defining moment, it’s fair to say Montreal has exceeded all expectations this season.

Whether it’s Cole Caufield’s pursuit of 50 goals, Nick Suzuki’s 100-point run, Juraj Slafkowski’s continued development at power forward, Lane Hutson’s impressive blue line production, or the play of the rookie netminders, the Canadiens have epitomized excitement while putting together one of the cleanest rebuilds in modern NHL history.

This is especially notable when we consider that the team finished last in 2021-22, which allowed them to select Slafkovsky with the first overall pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

Of course, the work is far from done, and if the Habs are to be considered legitimate Stanley Cup contenders, they will need to strengthen their defensive game, but the NHL is full of teams that have experienced unsuccessful rebuilds, making Montreal’s progress in just a few years quite remarkable.

home ice in play

If the NHL playoffs begin on Sunday afternoon, the Canadiens will face the surging Buffalo Sabers with home advantage.

Given that they are only two points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning for first place in the Atlantic Division, there is a possibility that the Canadiens could face the first-place wild card team instead of the Sabres.

It would be a fitting reward for a team that has won eight consecutive games heading into the season finale, with several Eastern Conference teams also desperate to punch their ticket to the springtime dance.

While there is much praise to be given to the players, it must also be said that head coach Martin Saint-Louis has done a great job trusting his roster, which is the youngest lineup in the league. There will be very few, if any other coaches willing to give their full confidence to first-year players, and yet when the game is on the line the Canadiens consistently rely on Ivan Demidov, Oliver Kapanen, Jacob Dobbs and Jacob Fowler.

Likewise, it shouldn’t be long until general manager Kent Hughes’ name starts circulating as a strong candidate for the Jim Gregory Award, given to the top GM in the NHL as voted on by a panel of his peers.

Ivan Demidov scored in the shootout. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/4qRb9HPp2W

– Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 5 April 2026

Mark has been covering the Habs for over a decade. He previously worked for the Journal Metro, The Athletic, The… More about Mark Dumont

The 2025-26 NHL season is winding down and the race for the playoffs is heating up. The Eastern Conference is in flux and the Detroit Red Wings are one point out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs with 84 points and 12 games remaining. Meanwhile, the Western Conference has been sluggish this season, with the Los Angeles Kings remaining the first team with 73 points and 12 games remaining.

However, could the NHL adopt a similar format to the NBA? The league has been linked to a possible play-in tournament after success in the NBA over the past few years. In fact, a new rumor has revealed the NHL’s stance on a play-in tournament for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman doesn’t believe a play-in tournament is a good idea, despite the influence of billionaires and hockey’s most powerful people, as reported by Darren Dreger on Barn Burner. The NBA’s play-in tournament has been a success; However, the fanbase has shown displeasure with this.

There are a number of reasons why a play-in tournament is a good and bad idea. More drama would be added to the tournament over which NHL teams would earn the final berth in the Stanley Cup playoffs. It will also give teams outside the top 8 places in each conference an additional opportunity to make one last attempt.

However, there are many negatives to this, as the NHL playoff race is competitive most every season. If the NHL implemented a play-in tournament, it would make no sense to have 82 regular season games moving forward. Also, a team that is not even close to the playoffs can earn a spot if it ranks well below other organizations.

For now, Bateman believes the play-in tournament is not a good idea, and it would not be shocking if it never came to fruition.

READ MORE: Detroit Red Wings almost got a different defenseman at the NHL trade deadline

Austin Konensky is a sports writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and college football. His work…More about Austin Konensky