Scenario for the last East seed.

[UnSandvich]

Rangers are a pretty middling 5 on 5 team. Imo they're one of the top teams most likely to get upset.

Over the last month (since 3/16), the Rangers have played 16 games (T-2nd in the league). They are

T-1st in wins
T-2nd in ROW
3rd in Points%
5th in 5v5 Goals For
10th in 5v5 Shots For%
9th in CF%
13th in FF%
11th in xGF%

17th in 5v5 Shooting %
28th in 5v5 Save %
26th in PDO

The underlying numbers have jumped up from their poor level earlier in the season, and given the talent level of the Rangers higher end players, it seems more likely that the regression will be towards a positive direction Goal wise.

Edit: in terms of CF, FF, xGF, and shot%, they’re above all of the teams they can face in the first round over that timespan (including PIT which surprised me a little)

 

[Whoot Whoot]

No to undo OP's briliant work:

here is what NHL.com AI's Bot said:

Here are the Stanley Cup Playoff clinching scenarios for April 16:

EASTERN CONFERENCE​

The Washington Capitals will clinch a playoff berth:

If they defeat the Philadelphia Flyers in any fashion (7 p.m. ET; MNMT, NBCSP, TVAS2, SNP, SNW)

The Detroit Red Wings will clinch a playoff berth:

If they defeat the Montreal Canadiens in any fashion (7 p.m. ET; RDS, TSN2, BSDET) AND the Capitals lose to the Flyers in any fashion

The Boston Bruins will clinch the Atlantic Division:

If they defeat the Ottawa Senators in any fashion (7 p.m. ET; NESN, TSN5, RDS2) OR if they get one point AND the Florida Panthers lose to the Toronto Maple Leafs in any fashion (7:30 p.m. ET; ESPN, TSN4)

The Panthers will clinch the Atlantic Division:

If they defeat the Maple Leafs in any fashion AND the Bruins lose to the Senators in any fashion OR if they get one point AND the Bruins lose in regulation

WESTERN CONFERENCE​

The Dallas Stars (idle) will clinch the West if:

The Vancouver Canucks lose to the Calgary Flames in any fashion (10 p.m. ET; SNW, SNP, ESPN+, HULU)

The Canucks will clinch the Pacific Division:

If they get at least one point against the Flames

The Winnipeg Jets will clinch the No. 2 seed in the Central Division:

If they get at least one point against the Seattle Kraken (8 p.m. ET; TSN3, ROOT-NW+)

First-round matchups that can be locked today:​

New York Rangers (M1) vs. Washington Capitals (WC2) – Locked if Washington clinches a playoff berth (scenarios outlined above)

New York Rangers (M1) vs. Detroit Red Wings (WC2) – Locked if Detroit clinches a playoff berth (scenarios outlined above)

Boston Bruins (A1) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (WC1) and Florida Panthers (A2) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (A3) – Locked if Boston clinches Atlantic Division (scenarios outlined above)

Florida Panthers (A1) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (WC1) and Boston Bruins (A2) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (A3) – Locked if Florida clinches Atlantic Division (scenarios outlined above)

 

[HockeyVirus]

Rangers are a pretty middling 5 on 5 team. Imo they're one of the top teams most likely to get upset.

Lots of questions for such a good team. Goaltending has been inconsistent, defense has been terrible at times. Will Panarin make an appearance this playoff?

 

[ItWasJustified]

Capitals and Red Wings win in regulation so the Penguins game won't matter.

You can take that to the bank.

 

[insomniaddict]

Rangers are a pretty middling 5 on 5 team. Imo they're one of the top teams most likely to get upset.

Not to mention they are more than likely to be cursed anyway by winning the Presidents' trophy.

Remember what happened to Boston last year?

 

[Kingfan1967]

Capitals and Red Wings win in regulation so the Penguins game won't matter.

You can take that to the bank.

A Washington win (regulation or OT) and their in. (own the tiebreaker)
A Washington lost in OT needs a Detroit lost in regulation or OT
A Washington lost in regulation needs a Detroit and Pittsburgh lost in regulation and a Philly lost in OT or regulation.
Detroit needs a win in regulation or OT and needs a Washing lost in regulation or OT
an OT win by either team (Washington or Detroit) also knocks the Penguins and Philly out
an OT loss or less for BOTH Washington and Detroit still gives the Penguins a chance (Philly needs BOTH to lose in Regulation)
Pittsburgh needs a Win ( regulation or OT) and regulation or OT losses for both Caps and Red Wings
an OT loss for either team (Caps or Redwings) knocks Philly out
Philly needs all 3 (Caps, RW's, Pens) to lose in regulation)

 

[TheKingPin]

Flyers are the least likely but I wouldn’t say Hail Mary anymore than some of the others.

DET is starting their back up and on the road

The Isles are starting Sorokin I believe.

The Flyers have a shot! But I think they lose tonight. They crumble with pressure.

Since it’s a topic…