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Golden Knights Clinch Final NHL Playoff Spot In West As Four Teams Battle In East

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The final week of the regular season is producing a strong skate, shoot and score finish with many key games ahead of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The defending Stanley Cup champions Vegas Golden Knights secured the final playoff spot in the Western Conference playoffs Friday night with a 7-2 win over their former goaltender Marc Andre-Fleury and the Minnesota Wild. The Knights (94 points) and Los Angles Kings (95) will determine third place in the Pacific Division over the final three games with the other team getting a wild card along with the Nashville Predators (97).

Entering Saturday’s NHL games on April 13, the Eastern Conference is producing playoff elmination games for four teams battling for the second and final wild card over the final three contests. The Pittsburgh Penguins (86 points) hold the slight edge over the Washington Capitals (85), Detroit Red Wings (85) and Philadelphia Flyers (85), who only have two games remaining.

Key NHL Games Final Week Of Regular Season

Daily NHL odds from from FanDuel Sportsbook refresh periodically and are subject to change. That includes on props and live betting. Updates and scores as games completed.

April 13

  • New York Islanders at New York Rangers
  • Winnipeg at Colorado
  • New Jersey at Philadelphia
  • Tampa Bay at Washington
  • Detroit at Toronto
  • Boston at Pittsburgh
  • Vancouver at Edmonton

April 14

  • Colorado at Vegas

April 15

  • New York Islanders at New Jersey
  • Nashville at Pittsburgh
  • Boston at Washington

April 16

  • Washington at Philadelphia
  • Toronto at Florida

April 17

  • Pittsburgh at New York Islanders
  • Toronto at Tampa Bay
  • St. Louis at Dallas

April 18

  • Vancouver at Winnipeg
  • Edmonton at Colorado

Beyond the four teams in the East desperately playing for the final playoff spot, other teams at the top of the divisions are playing for playoff positioning and home ice advantage.

In the East, the New York Rangers (112 points) are closing in on the No. 1 seed and the Presidents’ Trophy ahead of Metro Division rival Carolina Huricanes (109), who will likely play the New York Islanders in the opening round of the playoffs. The Rangers would play one of the four teams battling for the No. 8 seed and second wild card.

The Boston Bruins (107 points) are at Pittsburgh Saturday, and a big game for both teams as the Bruins try to hold off the Florida Panthers (106) for the Atlantic Division title. The division winner will play the Tampa Bay Lightning (96) in Round 1 of the playoffs while the second place finisher plays the Toronto Maple Leafs (101).

One Stat That Sums Up Each NHL Team’s Season - Final Week

The Western Conference shows the Central Division-leading Dallas Stars (109 points) as the likely No. 1 seed. The Stars have eight 20+ goal scorers and rank 3rd in the league averaging 3.63 goals per game. The Winnipeg Jets (104) and Colorado Avalanche (104) are on a collision course in Round 1 of the playoffs following their game Saturday in Denver. The Jets have allowed a league-low 194 goals against while the Avalanche have scored a league-high 296 goals.

The other playoff positions in the West are up for grabs including for the Pacific Division title with a huge game Saturday night in Edmonton between the Vancouver Canucks (105 points) and Oilers (102), who have a game in hand with four remaining. The second place finisher in the Pacific will play the higher finisher between the Kings or Golden Knights. Los Angles holds the edge with three home games as favorites in their three remaining games plus the tiebreaker, which goes to the team with more wins in regulation.

More NHL betting news and value-driven betting analysis, odds and sports wagers with information you can bet on through the NHL regular season and Stanley Cup Playoffs.

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