The Presidents' Trophy for best regular-season record has already been clinched by the Winnipeg Jets, who are hoping an excellent campaign carries on into the postseason. In the Eastern Conference, the Washington Capitals — once Alex Ovechkin broke the all-time NHL goal-scoring record — have secured the No. 1 seed.

Under the format, teams with the seventh- and eighth-highest winning percentages will have two opportunities to win one game to earn a playoff spot, while the teams with the ninth- and 10th-highest winning percentages need to win two straight games to advance.

The Western Conference field was set by the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues with their wins on Wednesday. It's down to Montreal and Columbus for the final wild-card spot in the East. Montreal just needs one point to clinch a playoff berth on Wednesday night, but it faces a tough opponent in the Carolina Hurricanes.