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Metro Division Playoff Race Heats Up
22 Mar
Summary
- Metropolitan Division is guaranteed three playoff spots.
- Key matchups on Sunday include Hurricanes-Penguins and Blue Jackets-Islanders.
- Analytics project Hurricanes to finish atop the division with 110.8 points.
The Metropolitan Division's playoff picture for the 2026 Stanley Cup is becoming clearer, with three guaranteed spots and a potential wild card position up for grabs. Significant matchups scheduled for Sunday, March 22, 2026, include the Hurricanes versus the Penguins and the Blue Jackets against the Islanders, adding intense competition to the final stretch of the season.
Analytics projections indicate the Carolina Hurricanes are favored to finish first in the division and the Eastern Conference with an estimated 110.8 points. The Columbus Blue Jackets are projected second with 100.9 points, followed by the Pittsburgh Penguins with 99.5 points. The New York Islanders are predicted to secure a wild card spot with 97.5 points.
Each team has 15 or fewer regular-season games remaining before the season concludes on April 16, 2026. The outcomes of these final games will determine the precise playoff seeding and which teams ultimately qualify. The NHL's draft lottery system also remains a point of interest for teams not making the playoffs.
