Everything You Need to Know About the NHL's Eastern Conference Playoff Race

With about two weeks left in the NHL regular season, the Eastern Conference playoff picture is about as clear as mud.

The top three in the dominant Metropolitan Division—Columbus, Pittsburgh, and Washington—has been settled for quite some time, and the New York Rangers have had the first wild-card spot wrapped up for a while now. In the Atlantic, the Senators and Canadiens have pulled away from the pack and locked up the first two spots, leaving the final spot in the division and second wild card position up for grabs.

As seven teams, to varying degrees, are left fighting it out for the final postseason scraps available in the Eastern Conference, we took a look at where they all sit.

Last playoff appearance: 2012-13 (lockout-shortened season)

Where they sit: In playoffs, 3rd in Atlantic

Difficulty of schedule: Moderate-Difficult

Who they have left: Panthers, Lightning, Predators, Red Wings, Sabres, Capitals, Penguins, Blue Jackets

What they have to do: Toronto has won seven of its last ten games to retain the third spot in the Atlantic, but barely. Though the Leafs sit just ahead of Boston and Tampa with a game in hand, a .500 record over their final eight games should ensure Toronto at least a wild-card spot.

Last playoff appearance: 2013-14

Where they sit: In playoffs, 2nd wild card

Difficulty of schedule: Difficult

Who they have left: Predators, Stars, Panthers, Blackhawks, Lightning, Senators, Capitals

What they have to do: The Bruins are near impossible to figure out lately, as their current four-losses-in-five-games slide was preempted by a four-game winning streak earlier in March. Boston is in the driver's seat and controls its own destiny, and a 4-2-1 record down the stretch should most likely be enough to get in.

Last playoff appearance: 2015-16

Where they sit: 1 point back of Bruins, 2 points back of Maple Leafs

Difficulty of schedule: Moderate

Who they have left: Red Wings, Canadiens (x2), Stars, Bruins, Maple Leafs, Sabres

What they have to do: After becoming sellers at the deadline and trading Ben Bishop and Valtteri Filppula, Tampa has unexpectedly started to climb back into the playoff race. The Lightning will most likely need to win five of their final seven games, and beat both the Maple Leafs and Bruins in their remaining matchups.

*Last playoff appearance: 2015-16*

Where they sit: 1 point back of Lightning, 2 back of Boston for final wild card

Difficulty of schedule: Moderate

Who they have left: Flyers, Devils (x2), Sabres, Predators, Hurricanes, Senators

What they have to do: The Isles are trending the wrong way after dropping 6 of their last 10. With no games remaining against the teams they're chasing in the standings, the club will need to claim at least 11 of its final 14 available points to have chance at the final WC spot.

Last playoff appearance: 2008-09

Where they sit: 4 points back of Bruins for final wild-card spot with 1 game in hand

Difficulty of schedule: Moderate

Who they have left: Red Wings, Blue Jackets, Stars, Penguins, Wild, Islanders, Blues, Flyers

What they have to do: Carolina is surging at the right time, collecting points in each of its last 11 games—seven of them wins. The club will have to stay red hot with at least a 7-1 record down the stretch to have a chance to grab the final WC spot.

Last playoff appearance: 2015-16

Where they sit: 6 points behind Bruins for final wild-card spot

Difficulty of schedule: Moderate

Who they have left: Senators, Devils (x2), Islanders, Rangers, Blue Jackets, Hurricanes

What they have to do: The Flyers haven't helped themselves improve their slim playoff chances of late, alternating wins and losses over their last eight games. The team will have to win out its final seven games and hope the Leafs, Bruins, Lightning, Isles, and Canes can give it a whole lot of help by losing, a lot.

Last playoff appearance: 2015-16

Where they sit: 7 points out of the final wild-card spot

Difficulty of schedule: Moderate-Difficult

Who they have left: Maple Leafs, Bruins, Canadiens (x2), Blues, Sabres, Capitals

What they have to do: Florida has been inconsistent as of late, going 3-3 in its last six games. With big games remaining against the Maple Leafs on Tuesday and the Bruins on Saturday, the team will have to basically run the table the rest of the way to have a chance.