NHL playoff standings: What to observe on 11-game Saturday

Saturdays in the course of the NHL common season are usually a heavy day on the schedule, and this week isn’t any exception.

Whereas the playoff races (for each spots and positioning) play out, an 11-game slate is available. Here is a information to every recreation, together with the stakes for each groups.

Buffalo Sabres at Philadelphia Flyers
1 p.m., NHL Community

A push for the playoffs is a little bit of a stretch when describing these two golf equipment. Whereas technically not eradicated, each usually tend to win the draft lottery than make a miraculous run to the postseason. However draft place is vital, too, and the loser of this recreation could have pushed its opponent down that inverse leaderboard.

New York Islanders at Tampa Bay Lightning
2 p.m., ESPN+

Each of those groups want this recreation. For the Islanders, it is an opportunity to make strikes on the ultimate Japanese wild card. For the Lightning, an Atlantic Division title stays in attain.

St. Louis Blues at Colorado Avalanche
4:30 p.m., ESPN+

Two of the most well liked groups within the league sq. off, as Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar get to wave hiya to 4 Nations Face-Off teammate Jordan Binnington earlier than trying to place a number of pucks previous him. The Avs are all however locked in to the No. 3 seed within the Central, whereas the Blues are ably keeping off the lots behind them — and will overtake the Wild because the West’s first wild-card group if their profitable methods proceed.

New Jersey Devils at Minnesota Wild
6 p.m., ESPN+

Whereas the Avs and Blues are on heaters, the Devils and Wild are treading water, hoping they’ll keep their postseason tickets. The Devils enter the day because the Metro’s No. 3 seed, 9 factors forward of the Islanders. The Wild are two factors forward of the Blues as the primary Western wild card, with the Canucks and Flames each inside 10 factors behind them.

Vegas Golden Knights at Nashville Predators
6:30 p.m., ESPN+

Jonathan Marchessault’s outdated teammates are on the town for this matchup, and the 2 golf equipment’ paths could not be extra divergent; the Golden Knights are charging towards one other Pacific Division crown (and hoping to place extra distance between themselves and the Kings) whereas the Predators are within the backside three, although doubtless at No. 3 precisely provided that they’re 11 factors forward of the Blackhawks.

Columbus Blue Jackets at Ottawa Senators
7 p.m., ESPN+

If the Blue Jackets are going to solidify their playoff place, a “four-point recreation” like this one can’t be wasted — incomes them these factors within the standings and denying the factors to the Sens. Columbus enters this recreation within the second wild-card spot, and eight factors again of Ottawa for the primary.

Toronto Maple Leafs at Los Angeles Kings
7 p.m., ESPN+

The West Coast swing continues for Toronto in what may very well be a Stanley Cup Ultimate matchup if the Kings can handle to get previous the Oilers within the first spherical (on their fourth strive) and the Leafs can get to the Ultimate for the primary time since 1967. Toronto stays in a battle with the Panthers and Lightning for the Atlantic title, whereas L.A. begins the day seven factors again of Vegas for first within the Pacific.

Boston Bruins at Detroit Pink Wings
8 p.m., ABC/ESPN+

The playoffs look much less and fewer doubtless by the day for these Unique 6 groups — however the probabilities aren’t fully gone. However one in all them might want to transfer shortly; Detroit (3-7-0 in its final 10) and Boston (2-7-1) are shedding any buffer to make a miraculous run into the postseason. Will this recreation be a pivot level?

Calgary Flames at Edmonton Oilers
10 p.m., ESPN+

That is the ultimate Battle of Alberta matchup this common season, after the groups break up a pair of contests within the fall. Will they meet once more within the playoffs? The Oilers are doing their half, sitting third within the Pacific. Calgary has work to do, as it’s six factors behind St. Louis and eight factors behind Minnesota, who’re every in wild-card place.

New York Rangers at San Jose Sharks
10:30 p.m., ESPN+

Precise curler coasters are jealous of the peaks and valleys that the 2024-25 Rangers have navigated. Nonetheless, the Rangers are proper within the combine for the second wild-card spot within the East. To say that something lower than two factors from this recreation could be devastating could be correct. As for the Sharks, they maintain a two-point edge on the backside of the standings forward of the Blackhawks.

Dallas Stars at Seattle Kraken
10:30 p.m., ESPN+

Can the Stars catch the Jets to be the highest seed within the Central Division? They’re six factors again with 10 video games remaining, so it is not fully unreasonable to assume so — notably with one other matchup towards Winnipeg on April 10. Clearly, a win is anticipated right here over the Kraken, who’re jockeying for draft lottery place with the Sabres, Flyers, Bruins and Penguins.

There are lower than three weeks left till April 17 and we’ll show you how to monitor all of it with the NHL playoff watch. As we traverse the ultimate stretch, we’ll present particulars on all of the playoff races, together with the groups jockeying for place within the 2025 NHL draft lottery.

Notice: Playoff chances are high by way of Stathletes.

Bounce forward:
Present playoff matchups
At present’s schedule
Yesterday’s scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 choose

Present playoff matchups

Japanese Convention

A1 Florida Panthers vs. WC1 Ottawa Senators
A2 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. A3 Tampa Bay Lightning
M1 Washington Capitals vs. WC2 Columbus Blue Jackets
M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 New Jersey Devils

Western Convention

C1 Winnipeg Jets vs. WC2 St. Louis Blues
C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche
P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC1 Minnesota Wild
P2 Los Angeles Kings vs. P3 Edmonton Oilers

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Saturday’s video games

Notice: All instances ET. All video games not on TNT or NHL Community can be found to stream on ESPN+ (native blackout restrictions apply).

Buffalo Sabres at Philadelphia Flyers, 1 p.m. (NHLN)
New York Islanders at Tampa Bay Lightning, 2 p.m.
St. Louis Blues at Colorado Avalanche, 4:30 p.m.
New Jersey Devils at Minnesota Wild, 6 p.m.
Vegas Golden Knights at Nashville Predators, 6:30 p.m.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Ottawa Senators, 7 p.m.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Los Angeles Kings, 7 p.m.
Boston Bruins at Detroit Pink Wings, 8 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)
Calgary Flames at Edmonton Oilers, 10 p.m.
New York Rangers at San Jose Sharks, 10:30 p.m.
Dallas Stars at Seattle Kraken, 10:30 p.m.

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Friday’s scoreboard

Florida Panthers 2, Utah Hockey Membership 1 (OT)
Carolina Hurricanes 4, Montreal Canadiens 1
Columbus Blue Jackets 7, Vancouver Canucks 6 (SO)
Winnipeg Jets 4, New Jersey Devils 0
Vegas Golden Knights 5, Chicago Blackhawks 3
Anaheim Geese 5, New York Rangers 4 (OT)

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Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

Factors: 91
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff place: A1
Video games left: 10
Factors tempo: 103.6
Subsequent recreation: vs. MTL (Sunday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 90
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff place: A2
Video games left: 10
Factors tempo: 102.5
Subsequent recreation: @ LA (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 89
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff place: A3
Video games left: 10
Factors tempo: 101.4
Subsequent recreation: vs. NYI (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 81
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff place: WC1
Video games left: 11
Factors tempo: 99.6
Subsequent recreation: vs. CBJ (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 98.1%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 75
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 10
Factors tempo: 85.4
Subsequent recreation: @ FLA (Sunday)
Playoff probabilities: 28.0%
Tragic quantity: 21

Factors: 72
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 10
Factors tempo: 82.0
Subsequent recreation: vs. BOS (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 2.3%
Tragic quantity: 18

Factors: 69
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 9
Factors tempo: 77.5
Subsequent recreation: @ DET (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 0.1%
Tragic quantity: 13

Factors: 66
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 11
Factors tempo: 76.2
Subsequent recreation: @ PHI (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 0.1%
Tragic quantity: 14

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Metro Division

Factors: 103
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff place: M1
Video games left: 10
Factors tempo: 117.3
Subsequent recreation: vs. BUF (Sunday)
Playoff probabilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 92
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff place: M2
Video games left: 10
Factors tempo: 104.8
Subsequent recreation: vs. NYI (Sunday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 83
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff place: M3
Video games left: 8
Factors tempo: 92.0
Subsequent recreation: @ MIN (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 97.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 75
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff place: WC2
Video games left: 11
Factors tempo: 86.6
Subsequent recreation: OTT (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 28.7%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 75
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 9
Factors tempo: 84.3
Subsequent recreation: @ SJ (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 18.7%
Tragic quantity: 19

Factors: 74
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 11
Factors tempo: 85.5
Subsequent recreation: @ TB (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 24.7%
Tragic quantity: 22

Factors: 69
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 8
Factors tempo: 76.5
Subsequent recreation: vs. OTT (Sunday)
Playoff probabilities: 0.1%
Tragic quantity: 11

Factors: 67
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 8
Factors tempo: 74.2
Subsequent recreation: vs. BUF (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 0.1%
Tragic quantity: 9

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Central Division

Factors: 104
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff place: C1
Video games left: 9
Factors tempo: 116.8
Subsequent recreation: vs. VAN (Sunday)
Playoff probabilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 98
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff place: C2
Video games left: 10
Factors tempo: 111.6
Subsequent recreation: @ SEA (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 93
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff place: C3
Video games left: 9
Factors tempo: 104.5
Subsequent recreation: vs. STL (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 87
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff place: WC1
Video games left: 9
Factors tempo: 97.7
Subsequent recreation: vs. NJ (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 96.5%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 85
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff place: WC2
Video games left: 8
Factors tempo: 94.2
Subsequent recreation: @ COL (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 89.8%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 76
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 9
Factors tempo: 85.4
Subsequent recreation: @ CHI (Sunday)
Playoff probabilities: 0.6%
Tragic quantity: 10

Factors: 62
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 10
Factors tempo: 70.6
Subsequent recreation: vs. VGK (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E

Factors: 51
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 9
Factors tempo: 57.3
Subsequent recreation: vs. UTA (Sunday)
Playoff probabilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E

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Pacific Division

Factors: 96
Regulation wins: 41
Playoff place: P1
Video games left: 10
Factors tempo: 109.3
Subsequent recreation: @ NSH (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 89
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff place: P3
Video games left: 11
Factors tempo: 102.8
Subsequent recreation: vs. TOR (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 87
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff place: P2
Video games left: 10
Factors tempo: 99.1
Subsequent recreation: vs. CGY (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 95.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 81
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 9
Factors tempo: 91.0
Subsequent recreation: @ WPG (Sunday)
Playoff probabilities: 6.4%
Tragic quantity: 16

Factors: 79
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 11
Factors tempo: 91.2
Subsequent recreation: @ EDM (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 10.8%
Tragic quantity: 17

Factors: 72
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 10
Factors tempo: 82.0
Subsequent recreation: vs. TOR (Sunday)
Playoff probabilities: 0.1%
Tragic quantity: 8

Factors: 68
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 9
Factors tempo: 76.4
Subsequent recreation: vs. DAL (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: ~0%
Tragic quantity: 2

Factors: 49
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 11
Factors tempo: 56.6
Subsequent recreation: vs. NYR (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E

Notice: An “x” signifies that the group has clinched a playoff berth. An “e” signifies that the group has been eradicated from playoff rivalry.

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Race for the No. 1 choose

The NHL makes use of a draft lottery to find out the order of the primary spherical, so the group that finishes in final place will not be assured the No. 1 choice. As of 2021, a group can transfer up a most of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so solely 11 groups are eligible for the No. 1 choose. Full particulars on the method are right here. Matthew Schaefer, a defenseman for the OHL’s Erie Otters, is No. 1 on the draft board.

Factors: 49
Regulation wins: 14

Factors: 51
Regulation wins: 18

Factors: 62
Regulation wins: 23

Factors: 66
Regulation wins: 24

Factors: 67
Regulation wins: 18

Factors: 68
Regulation wins: 25

Factors: 69
Regulation wins: 20

Factors: 69
Regulation wins: 23

Factors: 72
Regulation wins: 23

Factors: 72
Regulation wins: 25

Factors: 74
Regulation wins: 25

Factors: 75
Regulation wins: 31

Factors: 75
Regulation wins: 24

Factors: 76
Regulation wins: 24

Factors: 79
Regulation wins: 26

Factors: 81
Regulation wins: 26