by Nick Gilbert / April 26, 2022
This week marks the final week of the National Hockey League regular season, and the push for the playoffs is coming to its conclusion. All teams have been established that will make the playoffs. All that awaits is final standings.
Currently the Florida Panthers from the Eastern Conference have the best record in the entire NHL with 120 points. Points are constituted by a win in regulation (2 points), or at least one point in overtime (if team loses). Their record is 57-16-6 (wins-loses-overtime loses).
The Colorado Avalanche from the Western Conference have the second-best record with 116 points. 55-18-6 is their record which is good enough for tops in the West.
For the first time in NHL history, the Eastern Conference features all eight teams over the 100-point mark, Florida, Carolina, Toronto, New York (Rangers), Tampa Bay, Boston, Pittsburgh, and Washington. The West has four, Colorado, St. Louis, Minnesota, Calgary.
The Stanley Cup Playoffs expect to start on May 2. Tampa Bay looks to recapture ‘Lord Stanley’ for a third straight season. Only three teams have achieved that ever, with the last occurrence in 1978-1979 season by the New York Islanders. They won four straight.
Forward Pat Maroon looks to join even more elite company. He is just the fourth U.S-born player with three consecutive Stanley Cups (STL 2019, TB 2020,2021). He is the first player since 1964 to do so.
