Tiebreaker Advantages: Where the Eastern Conference Playoff Races stand

WHO HAS CLINCHED PLAYOFF POSITIONING

*Boston Bruins have clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and will face the No. 2 wildcard team in the first round. Scenarios include playing Detroit, Columbus, or Philadelphia

*Pittsburgh Penguins have clinched the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference and will face the No. 1 wildcard team in the first round. Scenarios include playing Detroit, Columbus or Philadelphia

*New York Rangers have clinched 2nd place in the Metropolitan Division and will have home-ice in the first round. Scenarios include playing Philadelphia or Columbus in the first round.

CURRENT ROUND 1 PLAYOFF MATCHUPS

Boston vs Detroit (wildcard)

Montreal vs Tampa Bay

Pittsburgh vs Columbus (wildcard)

New York Rangers vs Philadelphia

**Winner of Boston – Detroit would advance to play Canadiens or Lightning in Round 2……… Winner of Pittsburgh – Columbus would advance to play Rangers or Flyers in Round 2*

With three days left in the regular season, The Flyers, Red Wings and Blue Jackets are all tied with 91 points. Here’s a look at which teams have advantages in the two tiebreakers if any of the three teams end up tied in points at the end of the regular season:

3RD PLACE/WILD CARD: PHILADELPHIA – COLUMBUS | CLB won season series, 3-1 |

The Flyers are currently in third place in the Metropolitan Division, due to the ROW tiebreaker, 38 to 37, over the Columbus Blue Jackets. If both teams are tied in points at the end of the season, the first tiebreaker will come down to ROW (currently Flyers advantage) and if both teams have the same amount of points and Regulation/Overtime Wins, the next tiebreaker is head to head which goes to Columbus who won the season series, 3-1.

WILD CARD: COLUMBUS – DETROIT | CLB won season series, 2-1 |

There is no scenario where the Detroit Red Wings can place ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets if the two teams are tied in points due to the Blue Jackets +4 advantage in ROW, 37 to 33.

WILD CARD: PHILADELPHIA – DETROIT | PHI won season series, 2-1 |

The Flyers will also win any tiebreaker over the Detroit Red Wings if the two teams are tied in points at the end of the season. Philadelphia has a +5 advantage in ROW and won the season series over Detroit.

HOME ICE BETWEEN HABS – LIGHTNING STILL UP FOR GRABS

The Tampa Bay Lightning control their destiny. If they win out, they win home ice in the first round over Montreal. Montreal currently has a one point lead over the Lightning and a +2 advantage in ROW.