The NHL’s 16-team field for the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs is officially set.
The Dallas Stars secured the final playoff spot in the Western Conference by earning a point in their 4-3 overtime loss to the Arizona Coyotes. That point also eliminated the Vegas Golden Knights from playoff contention who were 4-3 shootout losers to the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday.
Entering play the Golden Knights not only needed to beat Chicago, they needed Dallas to lose to Arizona in regulation to keep its playoff hopes alive. Neither outcome happened.
Not only did Vegas lose, but Dallas also gained the single point it needed despite allowing a 3-0 third period lead to slip away. The Stars may not be totally happy with the way they clinched, but they are in in the playoffs and that is all that matters at the moment.
[NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs 2022 schedule, TV info]
The playoff teams in each conference are as follows:
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
Florida Panthers
Toronto Maple Leafs
Tampa Bay Lightning
Boston Bruins
Metropolitan Division
Carolina Hurricanes
New York Rangers
Pittsburgh Penguins
Washington Capitals
Western Conference
Central Division
Colorado Avalanche
Minnesota Wild
St. Louis Blues
Nashville Predators
Dallas Stars
Pacific Division
Calgary Flames
Edmonton Oilers
Los Angeles Kings
At this point only a handful of the actual playoff matchups are set. We know who the division champions are (Florida, Carolina, Colorado, Calgary), a handful of the 2-3 matchups (Minnesota vs. St. Louis in the Central; Edmonton vs. Los Angeles in the Pacific), and that New York and Toronto will have home-ice advantage in their First Round matchups.
[NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs 2022 schedule, TV info]
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Adam Gretz is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @AGretz.