NHL predictions: Last playoff spot still up for grabs in Eastern Conference

The Last Eastern Conference Playoff Berth is Still Up for Grabs

The Eastern Conference's final wildcard spot remains undecided as NHL teams gear up for Tuesday’s clashes.

The Washington Capitals could secure their playoff berth with a victory in Philadelphia. A win confirms their spot. However, if the Capitals falter, the door opens wider with several possibilities emerging.

Should the Flyers triumph over the Capitals while Detroit and Pittsburgh both falter in their concluding regular-season matches, Philadelphia could find themselves level with the Capitals, even matching on numerous tiebreakers until Philadelphia's superior goal difference gives them an edge. The Flyers face a challenging route, but it's not beyond reach.

Following a dramatic 5-4 overtime victory against Montreal on Monday, the Detroit Red Wings are set to face the Canadiens again on Tuesday. A Detroit win combined with a Capitals defeat (be it in regulation or extra time) would see them sneak into the playoffs.

Should the Flyers and Canadiens both emerge victorious on Tuesday, it might pave the way for the Pittsburgh Penguins, who are set to challenge the already playoff-bound New York Islanders on Wednesday.

The scramble for this lone playoff spot ensures a dramatic showdown on the ice come Tuesday evening.

Another significant storyline on Tuesday involves Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews aiming for his 70th season goal in Florida. He aims to become the first NHL player since Teemu Selanne and Alexander Mogilny in 1992-1993 to reach this milestone, with Matthews favored at -137* on 7x7Bets to score over 0.5 goals against the Panthers.

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Philadelphia Flyers' eight-game winless run earlier dropped them from their long-held playoff position. They've rebounded with consecutive victories and now rest at home, ready to face a Washington Capitals side coming off a back-to-back set.

Despite a rough patch with just one victory in an eight-game stretch, the Capitals managed stunning home victories against Tampa Bay and Boston. Holding a 7-4-2 record in back-to-back games this season, their performance dipped post-Christmas to 1-4-2.

With a goal differential of -38 and controlling just 46.9 percent of score-and-venue-adjusted expected goals during five-on-five play, the Capitals are hardly the favorites in an away clash against a rested team.

Flyers ML (-144*)

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Riding a wave of six consecutive victories, the Winnipeg Jets are peaking perfectly as they prepare for a first-round face-off with the Colorado Avalanche.

Most of these wins were by multiple goals. The Jets are motivated to secure home-ice advantage for the playoffs, enhancing their stakes for Tuesday’s game against the Seattle Kraken.

The Kraken, missing out on the playoffs, are winding down the season with a disappointing 5-11-2 record post-trade deadline. Most of these losses were by at least two goals.

These two teams are moving in opposite directions, pointing to a likely comfortable home victory for the Jets.

Jets -1.5 (+121*)

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The Carolina Hurricanes, on a five-game winning streak, approach the playoffs in formidable form, boasting a 15-3-1 record since the trade deadline. In these games, they've often scored four or more goals.

As a team dominating puck possession, the Hurricanes are expected to control the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, who are near the bottom in both goals against average (3.91) and expected goals against (3.81) over the last month.

This matchup leans heavily in favor of a dominant Carolina team exceeding their team total against an overwhelmed Columbus squad.

Hurricanes Over 3.5 (-107*)

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While the Montreal Canadiens lost their lead and the game to Detroit in overtime on Monday, it was a significant night for the Canadiens as top prospect Lane Hutson made his NHL debut.

The dynamic defenseman earned his first NHL point assisting a Brendan Gallagher goal within the initial five minutes of the game.

Hutson played over 21 minutes in his debut, indicating he will likely be heavily involved against the Red Wings on Tuesday.

With 97 points in 77 games over two seasons at Boston University and six points in nine games for Team USA at the World Championships last spring, Hutson’s prospects look promising.

With the Red Wings struggling defensively, shown by their 3.08 goals against average over the past month, Hutson has a solid chance of thrilling Canadiens supporters with another point in his second NHL appearance.

Lane Hutson Over 0.5 points (+174*)

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