NHL playoff standings: Isles control their playoff destiny

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There was a point quite recently when the New York Islanders seemed quite secure in a playoff position. Nothing was guaranteed, of course, but a wild card seemed a near given, and with Ilya Sorokin between the pipes, their destiny as a tough first-round out for the Boston Bruins or Carolina Hurricanes was all but locked in.

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Thanks to a stretch where they've lost five of their past nine games -- including to the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets -- their position is more tenuous. Heading into Wednesday night's contest with the Montreal Canadiens (7 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+), the club is most definitely in "must-win" mode, but a little bit of pressure was released when the Chicago Blackhawks shockingly defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins Tuesday night.

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Both the Isles and Pens have one game remaining -- the Pens' regular-season closer is Thursday night against the Blue Jackets -- and New York holds a one-point and four-regulation win edge in the standings. A win of any type Wednesday seals the deal for their postseason entry, as does an overtime or shootout loss (given their edge in regulation wins, the first tiebreaker). A loss in regulation opens the door for the Penguins to climb past them. 

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Currently, FiveThirtyEight gives the Isles an 86% chance at making the playoffs, while the Penguins' is down to 14% after the loss to Chicago.

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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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Wednesday'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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Montreal Canadiens at New York Islanders, 7 p.m.
[br /]Dallas Stars at St. Louis Blues, 7:30 p.m. (TNT)
[br /]San Jose Sharks at Calgary Flames, 10 p.m. (TNT)

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Tuesday's scoreboard

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

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Boston Bruins 5, Washington Capitals 2
[br /]Carolina Hurricanes 4, Detroit Red Wings 1
[br /]New Jersey Devils 6, Buffalo Sabres 2
[br /]Philadelphia Flyers 4, Columbus Blue Jackets 3 (OT)
[br /]Toronto Maple Leafs 4, Tampa Bay Lightning 3
[br /]Chicago Blackhawks 5, Pittsburgh Penguins 2
[br /]Winnipeg Jets 3, Minnesota Wild 1
[br /]Edmonton Oilers 2, Colorado Avalanche 1 (OT)
[br /]Vancouver Canucks 3, Anaheim Ducks 2
[br /]Vegas Golden Knights 4, Seattle Kraken 1

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Expanded standings

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Atlantic Division

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p - Boston Bruins

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Points: 133
[br /]Regulation wins: 53
[br /]Playoff position: A1
[br /]Games left: 1
[br /]Points pace: 135
[br /]Next game: @ MTL (Thursday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 100%
[br /]Tragic number: N/A

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x - Toronto Maple Leafs

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Points: 109
[br /]Regulation wins: 41
[br /]Playoff position: A2
[br /]Games left: 1
[br /]Points pace: 110
[br /]Next game: @ NYR (Thursday)
[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: 1
[br /]Points pace: 97
[br /]Next game: vs. DET (Thursday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 100%
[br /]Tragic number: N/A

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x - Florida Panthers

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Points: 92
[br /]Regulation wins: 36
[br /]Playoff position: WC1
[br /]Games left: 1
[br /]Points pace: 93
[br /]Next game: vs. CAR (Thursday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 100%
[br /]Tragic number: N/A

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e - Buffalo Sabres

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Points: 87
[br /]Regulation wins: 29
[br /]Playoff position: N/A
[br /]Games left: 2
[br /]Points pace: 89
[br /]Next game: vs. OTT (Thursday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 0%
[br /]Tragic number: E

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e - Ottawa Senators

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Points: 85
[br /]Regulation wins: 31
[br /]Playoff position: N/A
[br /]Games left: 1
[br /]Points pace: 86
[br /]Next game: @ BUF (Thursday)
[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: 1
[br /]Points pace: 81
[br /]Next game: @ TB (Thursday)
[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: 111
[br /]Regulation wins: 38
[br /]Playoff position: M1
[br /]Games left: 1
[br /]Points pace: 112
[br /]Next game: @ FLA (Thursday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 100%
[br /]Tragic number: N/A

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x - New Jersey Devils

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Points: 110
[br /]Regulation wins: 39
[br /]Playoff position: M2
[br /]Games left: 1
[br /]Points pace: 111
[br /]Next game: @ WSH (Thursday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 100%
[br /]Tragic number: N/A

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x - New York Rangers

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Points: 107
[br /]Regulation wins: 37
[br /]Playoff position: M3
[br /]Games left: 1
[br /]Points pace: 108
[br /]Next game: vs. TOR (Thursday)
[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: 1
[br /]Points pace: 92
[br /]Next game: vs. MTL (Wednesday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 86%
[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: 1
[br /]Points pace: 91
[br /]Next game: @ CBJ (Thursday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 14%
[br /]Tragic number: 1

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e - Washington Capitals

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Points: 79
[br /]Regulation wins: 27
[br /]Playoff position: N/A
[br /]Games left: 1
[br /]Points pace: 80
[br /]Next game: vs. NJ (Thursday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 0%
[br /]Tragic number: E

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e - Philadelphia Flyers

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Points: 73
[br /]Regulation wins: 26
[br /]Playoff position: N/A
[br /]Games left: 1
[br /]Points pace: 74
[br /]Next game: @ CHI (Thursday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 0%
[br /]Tragic number: E

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e - Columbus Blue Jackets

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Points: 57
[br /]Regulation wins: 15
[br /]Playoff position: N/A
[br /]Games left: 2
[br /]Points pace: 58
[br /]Next game: vs. PIT (Thursday)
[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: 105
[br /]Regulation wins: 34
[br /]Playoff position: C1
[br /]Games left: 2
[br /]Points pace: 108
[br /]Next game: vs. WPG (Thursday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 100%
[br /]Tragic number: N/A

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x - Dallas Stars

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Points: 104
[br /]Regulation wins: 37
[br /]Playoff position: C2
[br /]Games left: 2
[br /]Points pace: 107
[br /]Next game: @ STL (Wednesday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 100%
[br /]Tragic number: N/A

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x - Minnesota Wild

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Points: 102
[br /]Regulation wins: 34
[br /]Playoff position: C3
[br /]Games left: 1
[br /]Points pace: 103
[br /]Next game: @ NSH (Thursday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 100%
[br /]Tragic number: N/A

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x - Winnipeg Jets

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Points: 95
[br /]Regulation wins: 36
[br /]Playoff position: WC2
[br /]Games left: 1
[br /]Points pace: 96
[br /]Next game: @ COL (Thursday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 100%
[br /]Tragic number: N/A

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e - Nashville Predators

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Points: 90
[br /]Regulation wins: 29
[br /]Playoff position: N/A
[br /]Games left: 2
[br /]Points pace: 92
[br /]Next game: vs. MIN (Thursday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 0%
[br /]Tragic number: E

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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: 1
[br /]Points pace: 70
[br /]Next game: vs. VAN (Thursday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 0%
[br /]Tragic number: E

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e - Chicago Blackhawks

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Points: 58
[br /]Regulation wins: 18
[br /]Playoff position: N/A
[br /]Games left: 1
[br /]Points pace: 59
[br /]Next game: vs. PHI (Thursday)
[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: 109
[br /]Regulation wins: 37
[br /]Playoff position: P1
[br /]Games left: 1
[br /]Points pace: 110
[br /]Next game: @ SEA (Thursday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 100%
[br /]Tragic number: N/A

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x - Edmonton Oilers

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Points: 107
[br /]Regulation wins: 44
[br /]Playoff position: P2
[br /]Games left: 1
[br /]Points pace: 108
[br /]Next game: vs. SJ (Thursday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 100%
[br /]Tragic number: N/A

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x - Los Angeles Kings

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Points: 102
[br /]Regulation wins: 36
[br /]Playoff position: P3
[br /]Games left: 1
[br /]Points pace: 103
[br /]Next game: @ ANA (Thursday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 100%
[br /]Tragic number: N/A

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x - Seattle Kraken

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Points: 100
[br /]Regulation wins: 37
[br /]Playoff position: WC1
[br /]Games left: 1
[br /]Points pace: 101
[br /]Next game: vs. VGK (Thursday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 100%
[br /]Tragic number: N/A

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e - Calgary Flames

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Points: 91
[br /]Regulation wins: 30
[br /]Playoff position: N/A
[br /]Games left: 1
[br /]Points pace: 92
[br /]Next game: vs. SJ (Wednesday)
[br /]Playoff chances: 0%
[br /]Tragic number: E

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e - Vancouver Canucks

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Points: 81
[br /]Regulation wins: 24
[br /]Playoff position: N/A
[br /]Games left: 1
[br /]Points pace: 82
[br /]Next game: @ ARI (Thursday)
[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: 2
[br /]Points pace: 62
[br /]Next game: @ CGY (Wednesday)
[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. LA (Thursday)
[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: 57
[br /]Regulation wins: 15

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2. Anaheim Ducks

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Points: 58
[br /]Regulation wins: 13

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3. Chicago Blackhawks

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Points: 58
[br /]Regulation wins: 18

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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: 73
[br /]Regulation wins: 26

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8. Washington Capitals

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Points: 79
[br /]Regulation wins: 27

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9. Detroit Red Wings

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Points: 80
[br /]Regulation wins: 28

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10. Vancouver Canucks

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Points: 81
[br /]Regulation wins: 24

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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: 85
[br /]Regulation wins: 31

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13. Buffalo Sabres

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Points: 87
[br /]Regulation wins: 29

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14. Nashville Predators

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Points: 90
[br /]Regulation wins: 29

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15. Pittsburgh Penguins

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Points: 90
[br /]Regulation wins: 31

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16. Calgary Flames

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Points: 91
[br /]Regulation wins: 30

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