Ten Teams Have Clinched Their Spots in the OHL Playoffs, Who's Left?

Six from the East, four from the West — ten teams have punched their tickets to the OHL Playoffs, but who's left?

Ten total teams have punched their tickets to the 2024 OHL Playoffs, but six spots still remain. So who's going to win the race to the final spots?

Six teams from the Eastern Conference have clinched their spots; Brantford, Sudbury, Oshawa, North Bay, Mississauga, and Ottawa. 

These six clubs are all within 5 points of each other in the Eastern Conference standings. In other terms, there is a lot of room for movement between these six teams before the end of the regular season to determine playoff matchups.

Below them are Kingston, Barrie, Peterborough, and Niagara. The Frontenacs sit 12 points behind the Ottawa 67's, far behind the top group, but they are still projected to clinch at 7th. Barrie is 5 points behind them, and are also projected to clinch at the 8th spot.

Peterborough has 10 points less than Barrie, and Niagara has 15 points less. This means that it is most likely that Kingston and Barrie will clinch the final two spots in the Eastern Conference.

In the Western Conference, there is a bit of a tighter race. Saginaw, London, the Soo, and Kitchener have all clinched. Four spots remain.

Guelph comes in at 5th with 62 points, a substantial 18 point gap from Kitchener in 4th. Erie and Owen Sound trail just behind, as the Otters have 61 points and the Attack have 60. In the 8th spot is the Flint Firebirds, who have 58 points.

These four are the teams most likely to clinch, but the gaps are close between the four. Flint could easily jump into 5th before the end of the season, and just as easily Guelph could drop to 8th. 

Sarnia and Windsor are sitting in the 9th and 10th positions, likely on the outside looking in. 

When looking at the draft lottery, the most likely quadrant of teams that are in contention are Peterborough, Niagara, Sarnia, and Windsor.

All four of these teams will be getting a great player inside the top four no doubt, as this is a very top-heavy draft class.