NHL playoff standings: Key matchups on Tremendous Saturday – ESPN

Sebastian Aho scores a objective late within the third interval to safe the Hurricanes’ 4-2 victory vs. the Capitals. (1:01)
The homestretch of the 2023-24 NHL season is right here. Eleven tickets to the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs dance have been printed, and 5 stay.
A lot will likely be gained and misplaced by the tip of the 11-game slate on Tremendous Saturday. Listed below are the important thing matchups to look at:
Tampa Bay Lightning at Pittsburgh Penguins (1 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN+): The Lightning have used a springtime surge to drag inside two factors of the Toronto Maple Leafs for the Atlantic Division’s No. 3 seed, and a win right here clearly helps them in that quest. As for the Penguins, a 6-2-2 run of their previous 10 video games has them again within the combine for the second wild-card spot within the East — and probably even the No. 3 spot within the Metro Division.
Florida Panthers at Boston Bruins (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN+): No. 9 on Greg Wyshynski’s ranking of current NHL rivalries, this matchup pits the highest two groups within the Atlantic in a “four-point sport” — the Bruins can open up a six-point lead with a win in regulation; the Panthers pull inside two with a regulation W for themselves.
Winnipeg Jets at Minnesota Wild (4 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+): Whereas the Jets have clinched their playoff berth, the Wild stay mathematically alive heading into this sport. That mathematical risk can be razor-thin following a Wild loss right here.
Philadelphia Flyers at Columbus Blue Jackets (7 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+): Whatever the outcomes of the ultimate a number of video games, the Flyers will end forward of the place many predicted. However that will not ease the sting in the event that they fall utterly out of the playoffs. Getting the total two factors in opposition to a basement-dwelling membership just like the Blue Jackets is significant.
Nashville Predators at New York Islanders (7:30 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+): Following an 18-game factors streak, the Preds regarded a bit wobbly in three straight losses earlier than pulling off a 6-3 win over the St. Louis Blues on Thursday; did they peak too quickly? In the meantime, the Isles are making a powerful ultimate push to earn the Metro’s No. 3 spot, or that second wild-card spot within the East (and a possible first-round matchup in opposition to the rival New York Rangers).
Edmonton Oilers at Calgary Flames (10 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+): WrestleMania is happening Saturday and Sunday in Philadelphia, however there will likely be maybe much more fisticuffs on this ultimate Battle of Alberta showdown for 2023-24 — particularly for the reason that Oilers are playoff-bound whereas the Flames have already been eradicated.
Vancouver Canucks at Los Angeles Kings (10 p.m., NHL Power Play on ESPN+): There will likely be some shuffling of the seeds among the many Western playoff groups from right here on out, however that is one doable first-round matchup mixture. Regardless of the final placement of every workforce within the standings, Vancouver has had bother with L.A. this season, with the latter membership successful two of three video games up to now.
As we traverse the ultimate stretch of the common season, it is time to examine in on all of the playoff races — together with the groups jockeying for place within the 2024 NHL draft lottery.
Be aware: Playoff chances are high through Stathletes.

Leap forward:
Current playoff matchups
Saturday’s schedule
Friday’s scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick
Japanese Convention
A1 Boston Bruins vs. WC1 Tampa Bay Lightning
A2 Florida Panthers vs. A3 Toronto Maple Leafs
M1 New York Rangers vs. WC2 Philadelphia Flyers
M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 New York Islanders

Western Convention
C1 Dallas Stars vs. WC2 Los Angeles Kings
C2 Colorado Avalanche vs. C3 Winnipeg Jets
P1 Vancouver Canucks vs. WC1 Nashville Predators
P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Vegas Golden Knights
Be aware: All occasions ET. All video games not on TNT or NHL Community can be found through NHL Energy Play, which is included in an ESPN+ subscription (native blackout restrictions apply).

Decide the winners and crown your Stanley Cup champion! Create A Bracket

Tampa Bay Lightning at Pittsburgh Penguins, 1 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)
Florida Panthers at Boston Bruins, 3:30 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)
Dallas Stars at Chicago Blackhawks, 3:30 p.m.
Winnipeg Jets at Minnesota Wild, 4 p.m.
St. Louis Blues at San Jose Sharks, 6 p.m.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m.
New Jersey Devils at Ottawa Senators, 7 p.m.
Philadelphia Flyers at Columbus Blue Jackets, 7 p.m.
Nashville Predators at New York Islanders, 7:30 p.m.
Edmonton Oilers at Calgary Flames, 10 p.m.
Vancouver Canucks at Los Angeles Kings, 10 p.m.

Buffalo Sabres 4, Philadelphia Flyers 2
New York Rangers 4, Detroit Red Wings 3
Carolina Hurricanes 4, Washington Capitals 2
Edmonton Oilers 6, Colorado Avalanche 2
Arizona Coyotes 7, Vegas Golden Knights 4
Seattle Kraken 3, Anaheim Ducks 1
Factors: 105
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff place: A1
Video games left: 5
Factors tempo: 112
Subsequent sport: vs. FLA (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 101
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff place: A2
Video games left: 5
Factors tempo: 108
Subsequent sport: @ BOS (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 95
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff place: A3
Video games left: 7
Factors tempo: 104
Subsequent sport: @ MTL (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 93
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff place: WC1
Video games left: 6
Factors tempo: 100
Subsequent sport: @ PIT (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 82
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 6
Factors tempo: 89
Subsequent sport: vs. BUF (Sunday)
Playoff probabilities: 43.4%
Tragic quantity: 11
Factors: 79
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 5
Factors tempo: 84
Subsequent sport: @ DET (Sunday)
Playoff probabilities: 2.1%
Tragic quantity: 6
Factors: 70
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 7
Factors tempo: 77
Subsequent sport: vs. NJ (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: ~0%
Tragic quantity: 1
Factors: 70
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 7
Factors tempo: 77
Subsequent sport: vs. TOR (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: ~0%
Tragic quantity: 1
Factors: 108
Regulation wins: 41
Playoff place: M1
Video games left: 5
Factors tempo: 115
Subsequent sport: vs. MTL (Sunday)
Playoff probabilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 103
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff place: M2
Video games left: 5
Factors tempo: 110
Subsequent sport: vs. CBJ (Sunday)
Playoff probabilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 83
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff place: M3
Video games left: 6
Factors tempo: 90
Subsequent sport: vs. NSH (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 57.0%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 83
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff place: WC2
Video games left: 5
Factors tempo: 88
Subsequent sport: @ CBJ (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 46.7%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 82
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 6
Factors tempo: 89
Subsequent sport: vs. OTT (Sunday)
Playoff probabilities: 31.5%
Tragic quantity: 11
Factors: 81
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 6
Factors tempo: 87
Subsequent sport: vs. TB (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 18.9%
Tragic quantity: 10
Factors: 76
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 6
Factors tempo: 82
Subsequent sport: @ OTT (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 0.5%
Tragic quantity: 5
Factors: 62
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 6
Factors tempo: 67
Subsequent sport: vs. PHI (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E
Factors: 105
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff place: C1
Video games left: 6
Factors tempo: 113
Subsequent sport: @ CHI (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 102
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff place: C2
Video games left: 5
Factors tempo: 109
Subsequent sport: vs. DAL (Sunday)
Playoff probabilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 98
Regulation wins: 41
Playoff place: C3
Video games left: 6
Factors tempo: 106
Subsequent sport: @ MIN (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 92
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff place: WC1
Video games left: 6
Factors tempo: 99
Subsequent sport: @ NYI (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.8%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 84
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 6
Factors tempo: 91
Subsequent sport: @ SJ (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 0.8%
Tragic quantity: 5
Factors: 81
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 7
Factors tempo: 89
Subsequent sport: vs. WPG (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 0.3%
Tragic quantity: 4
Factors: 69
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 6
Factors tempo: 75
Subsequent sport: @ SJ (Sunday)
Playoff probabilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E
Factors: 49
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 7
Factors tempo: 54
Subsequent sport: vs. DAL (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E
Factors: 102
Regulation wins: 41
Playoff place: P1
Video games left: 6
Factors tempo: 110
Subsequent sport: @ LA (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 97
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff place: P2
Video games left: 7
Factors tempo: 106
Subsequent sport: @ CGY (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 92
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff place: P3
Video games left: 6
Factors tempo: 99
Subsequent sport: @ VAN (Monday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.7%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 91
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff place: WC2
Video games left: 6
Factors tempo: 98
Subsequent sport: vs. VAN (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.4%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 77
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 6
Factors tempo: 83
Subsequent sport: vs. ARI (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E
Factors: 73
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 7
Factors tempo: 80
Subsequent sport: vs. EDM (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E
Factors: 54
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 5
Factors tempo: 58
Subsequent sport: vs. STL (Sunday)
Playoff probabilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E

Factors: 42
Regulation wins: 13
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 7
Factors tempo: 46
Subsequent sport: vs. STL (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E
p — clinched Presidents’ Trophy
y — clinched division
x — clinched playoff berth
e — eradicated from playoff rivalry
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The NHL makes use of a draft lottery to find out the order of the primary spherical, so the workforce that finishes in final place will not be assured the No. 1 choice. As of 2021, a workforce can transfer up a most of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so solely 11 groups are eligible for the draw for the No. 1 choose. Full details on the process can be found here. Sitting No. 1 on the draft board for this summer season is Macklin Celebrini, a freshman at Boston College.
Factors: 42
Regulation wins: 13
Factors: 49
Regulation wins: 16
Factors: 54
Regulation wins: 19
Factors: 62
Regulation wins: 19
Factors: 69
Regulation wins: 26
Factors: 70
Regulation wins: 19
Factors: 70
Regulation wins: 24
Factors: 73
Regulation wins: 29
Factors: 76
Regulation wins: 31
Factors: 77
Regulation wins: 26
Factors: 79
Regulation wins: 31
Factors: 81
Regulation wins: 29
Factors: 81
Regulation wins: 30
Factors: 82
Regulation wins: 26
Factors: 82
Regulation wins: 28
Factors: 84
Regulation wins: 29
* The Penguins’ first-round choose was traded to the Sharks as a part of the Erik Karlsson commerce. Nonetheless, it’s top-10 protected.

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