FloHockey’s weekly ECHL playoff primer continues, keeping track of all the key races in each of the four divisions, and getting you ready for the games ahead this upcoming week as the race to get into the Kelly Cup Playoffs comes down to the wire.

A reminder that after the league’s late-January announcement, standings for advancement to the postseason are determined by points percentage.

This is the last week of the regular season, and with many races going right down to the wire, you’re not going to want to miss this guide on the most important teams and games to watch. 

EASTERN CONFERENCE

NORTH DIVISION

Currently In:
x – Reading Royals (.694)
x – Newfoundland Growlers (.675)
Trois-Rivieres Lions (.523)
Worcester Railers (.507)

Currently Out:
Maine Mariners (.493)
Adirondack Thunder (.417)

Quick Take:
There are two fascinating races within the North Division—the first one being at the top with who will win the division title, the other is at the bottom to see who earns the fourth and final postseason berth. Trois-Rivieres not having all their games rescheduled is once again a bit of an x-factor here, as they’ll manage to play only 69 of their 72 games.

Key Games:
Worcester at Trois-Rivieres, April 13, April 15 and April 16 

Maine finishes with three home games against the division’s top two teams, but a lot of eyes will be on the Worcester-Trois-Rivieres series, which will go a long way towards determining who gets that fourth spot. The teams have split their first four matchups this season, but haven’t played since late January, meaning it’s anyone’s three-game slate to win. 

SOUTH DIVISION

Currently In:
x – Florida Everblades (.643)
x – Atlanta Gladiators (.643)
x – Jacksonville Icemen (.587)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits (.530)

Currently Out:
Orlando Solar Bears (.522)
South Carolina Stingrays (.429)
Norfolk Admirals (.419)

Quick Take:
Similar to the North, the South also features a race for the division title and one to determine the final playoff spot. Unlike the North, however, the top two teams will likely settle it for themselves. As for the last spot in the Kelly Cup Playoffs, that comes down to Greenville and Orlando, with points percentage once again playing the deciding factor as the Solar Bears will play 71 of their 72 scheduled games.

Key Games:
Orlando at Greenville, April 15
Atlanta at Florida, April 15 and April 16 

You may want to keep your dial tuned to “South Division” on FloHockey this coming week, with two sets of very intriguing matchups set to unfold. The Swamp Rabbits host the Solar Bears in a critical battle for that fourth spot, while the schedule makers did it right this year, as the Gladiators and Everblades are set to close out their season with a two-game set that will surely determine the division champ. 

WESTERN CONFERENCE

CENTRAL DIVISION

Currently In:
xy – Toledo Walleye (.713)
x – Fort Wayne Komets (.601)
Wheeling Nailers (.544)
Cincinnati Cyclones (.529)

Currently Out:
Kalamazoo Wings (.522)
Indy Fuel (.486)
Iowa Heartlanders (.471)

Quick Take:
The battle for the last two spots comes down to the wire in the Central—Toledo and Fort Wayne have long since secured their playoff berths, but for Wheeling, Cincinnati and Kalamazoo, this is where things get interesting. Indy is all but mathematically eliminated even if they win out, based on tiebreakers, while Iowa is out entirely.

Key Games:
Wheeling at Kalamazoo, April 13

This is the only matchup featuring two of the three teams battling it out for that last playoff spot. A regulation win would just about lock down a playoff spot for the Nailers, while a regulation loss would let the Wings right back in the race. 

MOUNTAIN DIVISION

Currently In:
x – Utah Grizzlies (.593)
Rapid City Rush (.581)
Allen Americans (.551)
Tulsa Oilers (.551)

Currently Out:
Idaho Steelheads (.536)
Kansas City Mavericks (.486)
Wichita Thunder (.434)

Quick Take:
Incredibly, only one team in the Mountain Division has clinched with one week left to go in the season, a remarkable indication of the parity over there this year. Both Kansas City and Wichita are eliminated, leaving Rapid City, Allen, Tulsa and Idaho to fight it out for the final three spots behind Utah, who has secured a spot.

Key Games:
Tulsa at Rapid City, April 13, April 15 and April 16 

Similar to the Central, there’s only one upcoming set of games that features teams battling it out for the last spots, and both of them are currently in (Tulsa, Rapid City). However, with six points up for grabs, a big swing could knock one of them out and allow Idaho, who wraps up their season with two games against the division-leading Grizzlies, to sneak in with a big weekend.