The Carolina Hurricanes are currently leading the Metro Division by 3 points over the New Jersey Devils with a game in hand. The New York Rangers are in third place, trailing the Canes by 9 points, having played two more games.
The second and third-place teams will battle off against each other in the first round, while the division winner will get one of the two wild card winners. Most likely the Metro Division winner will play the top wild card.
The Boston Bruins are on pace to have the one seed in the Eastern Conference which draws the last wild card team.