The Edmonton Oilers, once a disappointing 3-9-1 this season before making a coaching change, have surged back into a playoff spot.
This week, coach Kris Knoblauch and the Oilers can surge into record territory as they try to extend their winning streak. It sits at 16 games coming out of the All-Star break and Edmonton can tie the 1992-93 Pittsburgh Penguins’ NHL record on Tuesday. If they get past the Vegas Golden Knights, they could break the record on Friday.
Here is the Stanley Cup playoff bracket as it stands on the morning of Feb. 5, plus key games for the week. This file will be updated during the season (full standings here).
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Eastern Conference playoff bracket
If the season ended on Feb. 4, here’s how the Eastern Conference playoff matchups would align (based on points):
Boston Bruins (A1) vs. Detroit Red Wings (WC2)
Florida Panthers (A2) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (A3)
New York Rangers (M1) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (WC1)
Carolina Hurricanes (M2) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (M3)
The winners of the top two series would face each other in the second round, as would the winners of the bottom two series.
Closest teams: The New York Islanders are four points behind third-place Philadelphia. The Penguins, Washington Capitals and New Jersey Devils are five points behind by the Flyers.
Key: A-Atlantic Division. M-Metropolitan. WC-wild card
Western Conference playoff bracket
If the season ended on Feb. 4, here’s how the Western Conference playoff matchups would align (based on points):
Vancouver Canucks (P1) vs. St. Louis Blues (WC2)
Vegas Golden Knights (P2) vs. Edmonton Oilers (P3)
Colorado Avalanche (C1) vs. Los Angeles Kings (WC1)
Dallas Stars (C2) vs. Winnipeg Jets (C3)
The winners of the top two series would face each other in the second round, as would the winners of the bottom two series.
Closest teams: The Nashville Predators are tied with the Blues in points for the final wild-card spot. The Seattle Kraken are two points behind the Blues and the Arizona Coyotes and Calgary Flames are five behind.
Key: C-Central. P-Pacific. WC-wild card
Key games this week
All times p.m. ET
MONDAY
TUESDAY
Vancouver Canucks at Carolina Hurricanes, 7: Elias Lindholm will make his Canucks debut after last week’s trade with the Flames.
Winnipeg Jets at Pittsburgh Penguins, 7: Sean Monahan will make his Jets debut after last week’s trade with the Flames.
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
Edmonton Oilers at Los Angeles Kings, 10 (NHL Network): Jim Hiller makes his Kings head coaching debut. He was named interim coach after the Kings fired Todd McLellan last week.
Other nationally televised games this week
WEDNESDAY
Tampa Bay Lightning at New York Rangers, 7, TNT
Minnesota Wild at Chicago Blackhawks, 9:30, TNT
THURSDAY
Tampa Bay Lightning at New York Islanders, 8, ESPN
SATURDAY
St. Louis Blues at Buffalo Sabres, 1, ABC
Washington Capitals at Boston Bruins, 3:30, ABC
When do the Stanley Cup playoffs begin?
They’re scheduled to begin on April 22. The last possible day of the Stanley Cup Final is June 24.
