NHL playoff standings: The final push for the Panthers

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Entering the final week of the regular season, three teams are vying for two wild-card spots in the Eastern Conference. Heading into Monday night's 10-game slate, the Florida Panthers have the slightest of edges as the No. 1 wild card: 91 points and 36 regulation wins in 80 games, compared to the No. 2 wild card  New York Islanders (91 and 35 in 80) and Pittsburgh Penguins (90 and 31 in 80).

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The Panthers don't need to win out, but every point onward is critical. Their journey continues Monday when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+/Hulu), a team that clinched a playoff berth back on March 28 and is locked into the No. 2 seed in the Atlantic Division.

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The Leafs won the first matchup in overtime (5-4 on Jan. 17), then won the second game cleanly (6-2 on March 23) before the Panthers took the most recent game in OT (3-2 on March 29).

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Following Monday's game, the Panthers will close out the season Thursday night against the Carolina Hurricanes, who may have locked up the Metro Division title by then. FiveThirtyEight's latest projections give the Panthers a 78% chance of making the playoffs, while the Isles are at 76% and the Penguins are at 45%.

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Today's clinching scenario: The Panthers can clinch a playoff berth with a win against the Maple Leafs in regulation or overtime and a regulation loss by the Islanders against the Capitals.

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As we enter the final stretch of the regular season, it's time to check all the playoff races -- along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2023 NHL draft lottery.

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Note: Playoff chances are via FiveThirtyEight.

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Jump ahead:
[br /]Current playoff matchups
[br /]Today's schedule
[br /]Last night's scores
[br /]Expanded standings
[br /]Race for No. 1 pick

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Current playoff matchups

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Eastern Conference

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A1 Boston Bruins vs. WC2 New York Islanders
[br /]A2 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. A3 Tampa Bay Lightning
[br /]M1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. WC1 Florida Panthers
[br /]M2 New Jersey Devils vs. M3 New York Rangers

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Western Conference

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C1 Colorado Avalanche vs. WC1 Seattle Kraken
[br /]C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Minnesota Wild
[br /]P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC2 Winnipeg Jets
[br /]P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings

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Monday's games

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Note: All times Eastern. All games not on ESPN, TNT or NHL Network are available via NHL Power Play, which is included in an ESPN+ subscription (local blackout restrictions apply).

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Dallas Stars at Detroit Red Wings, 7 p.m.
[br /]Toronto Maple Leafs at Florida Panthers, 7 p.m. (ESPN+/Hulu)
[br /]Buffalo Sabres at New York Rangers, 7 p.m.
[br /]Carolina Hurricanes at Ottawa Senators, 7 p.m.
[br /]New York Islanders at Washington Capitals, 7 p.m.
[br /]San Jose Sharks at Winnipeg Jets, 7 p.m.
[br /]Minnesota Wild at Chicago Blackhawks, 9 p.m. (ESPN)
[br /]Nashville Predators at Calgary Flames, 9:30 p.m.
[br /]Seattle Kraken at Arizona Coyotes, 10 p.m.
[br /]Vancouver Canucks at Los Angeles Kings, 10:30 p.m.

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Sunday's scoreboard

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Watch "In the Crease" on ESPN+ for highlights from every game.

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Boston Bruins 5, Philadelphia Flyers 3
[br /]Colorado Avalanche 5, Anaheim Ducks 4 (OT)

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Expanded standings

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Atlantic Division

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p - Boston Bruins

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Points: 131
[br /]Regulation wins: 52
[br /]Playoff position: A1
[br /]Games left: 2
[br /]Points pace: 134
[br /]Next game: vs. WSH (Tuesday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 100%
[br /]Tragic number: N/A

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x - Toronto Maple Leafs

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Points: 105
[br /]Regulation wins: 40
[br /]Playoff position: A2
[br /]Games left: 3
[br /]Points pace: 109
[br /]Next game: @ FLA (Monday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 100%
[br /]Tragic number: N/A

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x - Tampa Bay Lightning

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Points: 96
[br /]Regulation wins: 37
[br /]Playoff position: A3
[br /]Games left: 2
[br /]Points pace: 98
[br /]Next game: vs. TOR (Tuesday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 100%
[br /]Tragic number: N/A

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Florida Panthers

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Points: 91
[br /]Regulation wins: 36
[br /]Playoff position: WC1
[br /]Games left: 2
[br /]Points pace: 93
[br /]Next game: vs. TOR (Monday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 78%
[br /]Tragic number: N/A

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Buffalo Sabres

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Points: 85
[br /]Regulation wins: 29
[br /]Playoff position: N/A
[br /]Games left: 4
[br /]Points pace: 89
[br /]Next game: @ NYR (Monday)
[br /]Playoff chances: <1%
[br /]Tragic number: 2

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e - Ottawa Senators

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Points: 83
[br /]Regulation wins: 30
[br /]Playoff position: N/A
[br /]Games left: 2
[br /]Points pace: 85
[br /]Next game: vs. CAR (Monday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 0%
[br /]Tragic number: E

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e - Detroit Red Wings

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Points: 80
[br /]Regulation wins: 28
[br /]Playoff position: N/A
[br /]Games left: 3
[br /]Points pace: 83
[br /]Next game: vs. DAL (Monday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 0%
[br /]Tragic number: E

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e - Montreal Canadiens

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Points: 68
[br /]Regulation wins: 21
[br /]Playoff position: N/A
[br /]Games left: 2
[br /]Points pace: 70
[br /]Next game: @ NYI (Wednesday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 0%
[br /]Tragic number: E

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Metropolitan Division

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x - Carolina Hurricanes

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Points: 109
[br /]Regulation wins: 37
[br /]Playoff position: M1
[br /]Games left: 3
[br /]Points pace: 113
[br /]Next game: @ OTT (Monday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 100%
[br /]Tragic number: N/A

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x - New Jersey Devils

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Points: 108
[br /]Regulation wins: 38
[br /]Playoff position: M2
[br /]Games left: 2
[br /]Points pace: 111
[br /]Next game: vs. BUF (Tuesday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 100%
[br /]Tragic number: N/A

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x - New York Rangers

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Points: 106
[br /]Regulation wins: 37
[br /]Playoff position: M3
[br /]Games left: 2
[br /]Points pace: 109
[br /]Next game: vs. BUF (Monday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 100%
[br /]Tragic number: N/A

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New York Islanders

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Points: 91
[br /]Regulation wins: 35
[br /]Playoff position: WC2
[br /]Games left: 2
[br /]Points pace: 93
[br /]Next game: @ WSH (Monday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 76%
[br /]Tragic number: N/A

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Pittsburgh Penguins

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Points: 90
[br /]Regulation wins: 31
[br /]Playoff position: N/A
[br /]Games left: 2
[br /]Points pace: 92
[br /]Next game: vs. CHI (Tuesday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 45%
[br /]Tragic number: 3

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e - Washington Capitals

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Points: 77
[br /]Regulation wins: 26
[br /]Playoff position: N/A
[br /]Games left: 3
[br /]Points pace: 80
[br /]Next game: vs. NYI (Monday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 0%
[br /]Tragic number: E

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e - Philadelphia Flyers

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Points: 71
[br /]Regulation wins: 26
[br /]Playoff position: N/A
[br /]Games left: 2
[br /]Points pace: 73
[br /]Next game: vs. CBJ (Tuesday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 0%
[br /]Tragic number: E

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e - Columbus Blue Jackets

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Points: 56
[br /]Regulation wins: 15
[br /]Playoff position: N/A
[br /]Games left: 3
[br /]Points pace: 58
[br /]Next game: @ PHI (Tuesday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 0%
[br /]Tragic number: E

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Central Division

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x - Colorado Avalanche

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Points: 104
[br /]Regulation wins: 34
[br /]Playoff position: C1
[br /]Games left: 3
[br /]Points pace: 108
[br /]Next game: vs. EDM (Tuesday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 100%
[br /]Tragic number: N/A

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x - Dallas Stars

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Points: 102
[br /]Regulation wins: 36
[br /]Playoff position: C2
[br /]Games left: 3
[br /]Points pace: 106
[br /]Next game: @ DET (Monday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 100%
[br /]Tragic number: N/A

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x - Minnesota Wild

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Points: 100
[br /]Regulation wins: 33
[br /]Playoff position: C3
[br /]Games left: 3
[br /]Points pace: 104
[br /]Next game: @ CHI (Monday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 100%
[br /]Tragic number: N/A

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Winnipeg Jets

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Points: 91
[br /]Regulation wins: 34
[br /]Playoff position: WC2
[br /]Games left: 3
[br /]Points pace: 95
[br /]Next game: vs. SJ (Monday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 77%
[br /]Tragic number: N/A

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Nashville Predators

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Points: 88
[br /]Regulation wins: 29
[br /]Playoff position: N/A
[br /]Games left: 3
[br /]Points pace: 91
[br /]Next game: @ CGY (Monday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 5%
[br /]Tragic number: 3

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e - St. Louis Blues

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Points: 81
[br /]Regulation wins: 27
[br /]Playoff position: N/A
[br /]Games left: 2
[br /]Points pace: 83
[br /]Next game: vs. DAL (Wednesday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 0%
[br /]Tragic number: E

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e - Arizona Coyotes

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Points: 69
[br /]Regulation wins: 20
[br /]Playoff position: N/A
[br /]Games left: 2
[br /]Points pace: 71
[br /]Next game: vs. SEA (Monday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 0%
[br /]Tragic number: E

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e - Chicago Blackhawks

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Points: 56
[br /]Regulation wins: 17
[br /]Playoff position: N/A
[br /]Games left: 3
[br /]Points pace: 58
[br /]Next game: vs. MIN (Monday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 0%
[br /]Tragic number: E

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Pacific Division

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x - Vegas Golden Knights

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Points: 107
[br /]Regulation wins: 36
[br /]Playoff position: P1
[br /]Games left: 2
[br /]Points pace: 110
[br /]Next game: vs. SEA (Tuesday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 100%
[br /]Tragic number: N/A

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x - Edmonton Oilers

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Points: 105
[br /]Regulation wins: 44
[br /]Playoff position: P2
[br /]Games left: 2
[br /]Points pace: 108
[br /]Next game: @ COL (Tuesday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 100%
[br /]Tragic number: N/A

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x - Los Angeles Kings

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Points: 100
[br /]Regulation wins: 35
[br /]Playoff position: P3
[br /]Games left: 2
[br /]Points pace: 103
[br /]Next game: vs. VAN (Monday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 100%
[br /]Tragic number: N/A

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x - Seattle Kraken

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Points: 98
[br /]Regulation wins: 36
[br /]Playoff position: WC1
[br /]Games left: 3
[br /]Points pace: 102
[br /]Next game: @ ARI (Monday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 100%
[br /]Tragic number: N/A

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Calgary Flames

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Points: 90
[br /]Regulation wins: 30
[br /]Playoff position: N/A
[br /]Games left: 2
[br /]Points pace: 92
[br /]Next game: vs. NSH (Monday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 19%
[br /]Tragic number: 3

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e - Vancouver Canucks

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Points: 79
[br /]Regulation wins: 23
[br /]Playoff position: N/A
[br /]Games left: 3
[br /]Points pace: 82
[br /]Next game: @ LA (Monday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 0%
[br /]Tragic number: E

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e - San Jose Sharks

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Points: 60
[br /]Regulation wins: 16
[br /]Playoff position: N/A
[br /]Games left: 3
[br /]Points pace: 62
[br /]Next game: @ WPG (Monday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 0%
[br /]Tragic number: E

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e - Anaheim Ducks

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Points: 58
[br /]Regulation wins: 13
[br /]Playoff position: N/A
[br /]Games left: 2
[br /]Points pace: 60
[br /]Next game: vs. VAN (Tuesday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 0%
[br /]Tragic number: E

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P -- Clinched Presidents' Trophy; Y -- Clinched division; X -- Clinched playoff berth; E -- Eliminated from playoff contention

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Race for the No. 1 pick

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The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. As of 2021, a team can move up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so only 11 teams are eligible for the draw for the No. 1 pick. Full details on the process can be found here. Sitting No. 1 on the draft board for this summer is Connor Bedard, who has been lauded as a generational talent.

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1. Columbus Blue Jackets

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Points: 56
[br /]Regulation wins: 15

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2. Chicago Blackhawks

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Points: 56
[br /]Regulation wins: 17

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3. Anaheim Ducks

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Points: 58
[br /]Regulation wins: 13

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4. San Jose Sharks

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Points: 60
[br /]Regulation wins: 16

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5. Montreal Canadiens

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Points: 68
[br /]Regulation wins: 21

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6. Arizona Coyotes

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Points: 69
[br /]Regulation wins: 20

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7. Philadelphia Flyers

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Points: 71
[br /]Regulation wins: 26

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8. Washington Capitals

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Points: 77
[br /]Regulation wins: 26

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9. Vancouver Canucks

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Points: 79
[br /]Regulation wins: 23

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10. Detroit Red Wings

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Points: 80
[br /]Regulation wins: 28

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11. St. Louis Blues

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Points: 81
[br /]Regulation wins: 27

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12. Ottawa Senators

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Points: 83
[br /]Regulation wins: 30

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13. Buffalo Sabres

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Points: 85
[br /]Regulation wins: 29

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14. Nashville Predators

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Points: 88
[br /]Regulation wins: 29

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15. Calgary Flames

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Points: 90
[br /]Regulation wins: 30

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16. Pittsburgh Penguins

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Points: 90
[br /]Regulation wins: 31

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