The race for the regular-season division titles is down to 2 groups within the Atlantic and Metro, and maybe already gained by the Vancouver Canucks within the Pacific. However the Central is our focus at present, with two groups tied in standings factors on the high and one other simply 4 behind.
Who will finally earn the division’s No. 1 seed?
Editor’s Picks
2 Associated
The Colorado Avalanche are within the high spot with 97 factors by means of 71 video games, and 38 regulation wins. In second are the Dallas Stars, with 97 factors by means of 72 video games and 33 regulation wins. The Winnipeg Jets are in third with 93 factors in 71 video games and 39 regulation wins. Off within the distance is our lengthy shot within the discipline, the Nashville Predators, who sit at 88 factors in 71 video games, with 35 regulation wins.
Colorado’s schedule down the stretch is a tricky one. After Tuesday evening’s sport in opposition to the lottery-bound Montreal Canadiens (9 p.m. ET, NHL Energy Play on ESPN+), seven of its remaining 10 contests are in opposition to groups presently in playoff place, and two of the opposite three are in opposition to the Minnesota Wild, who’re on the outskirts of the wild-card race however are nonetheless enjoying laborious. The Avs are projected for 111.2 factors and have a 58.8% likelihood of taking the division, per Stathletes.
The Stars additionally get a draft lottery group for his or her opponent on Tuesday evening, as they will skate in opposition to the San Jose Sharks (10:30 p.m. ET, NHL Energy Play on ESPN+). Dallas is projected to achieve 110.4 standings factors and has been given a 35.3% likelihood of successful the Central. Of their remaining 9 video games past Tuesday, simply 4 are in opposition to present playoff groups.
Though the Jets are behind the opposite two golf equipment in standings factors, their regulation wins whole may come in useful if they will acquire floor. After a tough swing out east, they’re again house Tuesday to host the Edmonton Oilers (8 p.m. ET, NHL Energy Play on ESPN+). After that sport, six of their remaining 10 video games are in opposition to groups presently in a postseason spot, together with one apiece in opposition to Dallas and Colorado on Apr. 11 and 13. Stathletes tasks the Jets for 106.1 factors and provides them a 5.8% likelihood of successful the division title.
Prime tales of the week from 
Get unique entry to hundreds of premium articles a 12 months from high writers.• Males’s hoops: Louisville’s coach opening? »• Miller’s up to date NFL draft rankings: Prime 50 »• Which European groups spend smartest? » Extra ESPN+ content material »
And now, the most popular group within the NHL. The Predators have not misplaced a sport in regulation since Feb. 15, a span of 17 straight contests with a degree. That is a pattern that may certainly support a group in its quest for a powerful postseason slot, and Nashville shall be going for 18 straight video games with at the very least one level on Tuesday evening in opposition to the Vegas Golden Knights (8 p.m. ET, NHL Energy Play on ESPN+). The Preds have been beating all method of groups throughout the streak, however their remaining schedule occurs to be a bit lighter than these of the groups forward of them; simply three of their remaining 10 contests are in opposition to present playoff groups. Nonetheless, it might be fairly an unlikely final result for Nashville to win the Central title: Stathletes tasks the Preds ending with 101.9 factors and a 0.1% likelihood of ending first within the division.
As we traverse the ultimate stretch of the common season, it is time to verify in on all of the playoff races — together with the groups jockeying for place within the 2024 NHL draft lottery.
Be aware: Playoff likelihood is by way of Stathletes.
Soar forward:Present playoff matchupsTuesday’s scheduleMonday’s scoresExpanded standingsRace for No. 1 decide
Present playoff matchups
Japanese Convention
A1 Florida Panthers vs. WC1 Tampa Bay LightningA2 Boston Bruins vs. A3 Toronto Maple LeafsM1 New York Rangers vs. WC2 Washington CapitalsM2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 Philadelphia Flyers
Western Convention
C1 Colorado Avalanche vs. WC1 Nashville PredatorsC2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Winnipeg JetsP1 Vancouver Canucks vs. WC2 Vegas Golden KnightsP2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings
Tuesday’s video games
Be aware: All instances ET. All video games not on TNT or NHL Community can be found by way of NHL Energy Play, which is included in an ESPN+ subscription (native blackout restrictions apply).
Boston Bruins at Florida Panthers, 7 p.m.Philadelphia Flyers at New York Rangers, 7 p.m.Carolina Hurricanes at Pittsburgh Penguins, 7 p.m.Detroit Pink Wings at Washington Capitals, 7 p.m.New Jersey Devils at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN+/Hulu)Vegas Golden Knights at Nashville Predators, 8 p.m.Edmonton Oilers at Winnipeg Jets, 8 p.m.Calgary Flames at Chicago Blackhawks 8:30 p.m.Montreal Canadiens at Colorado Avalanche, 9 p.m.Columbus Blue Jackets at Arizona Coyotes, 10 p.m.Anaheim Geese at Seattle Kraken, 10 p.m.Dallas Stars at San Jose Sharks, 10:30 p.m.
Monday’s scoreboard
Vegas Golden Knights 2, St. Louis Blues 1 (OT)Los Angeles Kings 3, Vancouver Canucks 2
Expanded standings
Atlantic Division
Factors: 97Regulation wins: 38Playoff place: A1Games left: 11Points tempo: 112Next sport: vs. BOS (Tuesday)Playoff possibilities: 99.9percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 97Regulation wins: 32Playoff place: A2Games left: 10Points tempo: 111Next sport: @ FLA (Tuesday)Playoff possibilities: 99.9percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 89Regulation wins: 28Playoff place: A3Games left: 12Points tempo: 104Next sport: vs. NJ (Tuesday)Playoff possibilities: 99.9percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 85Regulation wins: 31Playoff place: WC1Games left: 11Points tempo: 98Next sport: vs. BOS (Wednesday)Playoff possibilities: 98.9percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 78Regulation wins: 25Playoff place: N/AGames left: 11Points tempo: 90Next sport: @ WSH (Tuesday)Playoff possibilities: 24.2percentTragic quantity: 21
Factors: 73Regulation wins: 28Playoff place: N/AGames left: 10Points tempo: 83Next sport: vs. OTT (Wednesday)Playoff possibilities: 2.2percentTragic quantity: 14
Factors: 64Regulation wins: 21Playoff place: N/AGames left: 12Points tempo: 75Next sport: @ BUF (Wednesday)Playoff possibilities: ~0percentTragic quantity: 9
Factors: 64Regulation wins: 16Playoff place: N/AGames left: 12Points tempo: 75Next sport: @ COL (Tuesday)Playoff possibilities: ~0percentTragic quantity: 9
Metropolitan Division
Factors: 98Regulation wins: 38Playoff place: M1Games left: 11Points tempo: 113Next sport: vs. PHI (Tuesday)Playoff possibilities: 99.9percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 97Regulation wins: 37Playoff place: M2Games left: 10Points tempo: 111Next sport: @ PIT (Tuesday)Playoff possibilities: 99.9percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 81Regulation wins: 28Playoff place: M3Games left: 10Points tempo: 92Next sport: @ NYR (Tuesday)Playoff possibilities: 86percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 79Regulation wins: 28Playoff place: WC2Games left: 12Points tempo: 93Next sport: vs. DET (Tuesday)Playoff possibilities: 66.3percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 75Regulation wins: 22Playoff place: N/AGames left: 11Points tempo: 87Next sport: @ FLA (Thursday)Playoff possibilities: 12.7percentTragic quantity: 18
Factors: 74Regulation wins: 30Playoff place: N/AGames left: 10Points tempo: 84Next sport: @ TOR (Tuesday)Playoff possibilities: 8.9percentTragic quantity: 15
Factors: 70Regulation wins: 25Playoff place: N/AGames left: 12Points tempo: 82Next sport: vs. CAR (Tuesday)Playoff possibilities: 0.5percentTragic quantity: 15
Factors: 58Regulation wins: 18Playoff place: N/AGames left: 11Points tempo: 67Next sport: @ ARI (Tuesday)Playoff possibilities: ~0percentTragic quantity: E
Central Division
Factors: 97Regulation wins: 38Playoff place: C1Games left: 11Points tempo: 112Next sport: vs. MTL (Tuesday)Playoff possibilities: 99.9percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 97Regulation wins: 33Playoff place: C2Games left: 10Points tempo: 111Next sport: @ SJ (Tuesday)Playoff possibilities: 99.9percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 93Regulation wins: 39Playoff place: C3Games left: 11Points tempo: 107Next sport: vs. EDM (Tuesday)Playoff possibilities: 99.9percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 88Regulation wins: 35Playoff place: WC1Games left: 11Points tempo: 102Next sport: vs. VGK (Tuesday)Playoff possibilities: 99.7percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 80Regulation wins: 28Playoff place: N/AGames left: 10Points tempo: 91Next sport: vs. CGY (Thursday)Playoff possibilities: 5.8percentTragic quantity: 15
Factors: 77Regulation wins: 27Playoff place: N/AGames left: 11Points tempo: 89Next sport: vs. SJ (Thursday)Playoff possibilities: 2.7percentTragic quantity: 14
Factors: 63Regulation wins: 23Playoff place: N/AGames left: 11Points tempo: 73Next sport: vs. CBJ (Tuesday)Playoff possibilities: ~0percentTragic quantity: 1
Factors: 45Regulation wins: 14Playoff place: N/AGames left: 11Points tempo: 52Next sport: vs. CGY (Tuesday)Playoff possibilities: 0percentTragic quantity: E
Pacific Division
Factors: 98Regulation wins: 39Playoff place: P1Games left: 10Points tempo: 112Next sport: vs. DAL (Thursday)Playoff possibilities: 99.9percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 88Regulation wins: 33Playoff place: P2Games left: 13Points tempo: 105Next sport: @ WPG (Tuesday)Playoff possibilities: 99.9percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 87Regulation wins: 32Playoff place: P3Games left: 11Points tempo: 101Next sport: @ EDM (Thursday)Playoff possibilities: 98.7percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 85Regulation wins: 30Playoff place: WC2Games left: 11Points tempo: 98Next sport: @ NSH (Tuesday)Playoff possibilities: 93percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 71Regulation wins: 28Playoff place: N/AGames left: 12Points tempo: 83Next sport: @ CHI (Tuesday)Playoff possibilities: 0.1percentTragic quantity: 10
Factors: 69Regulation wins: 22Playoff place: N/AGames left: 12Points tempo: 81Next sport: vs. ANA (Tuesday)Playoff possibilities: ~0percentTragic quantity: 8
Factors: 52Regulation wins: 18Playoff place: N/AGames left: 11Points tempo: 60Next sport: @ SEA (Tuesday)Playoff possibilities: 0percentTragic quantity: E
Factors: 40Regulation wins: 12Playoff place: N/AGames left: 12Points tempo: 47Next sport: vs. DAL (Tuesday)Playoff possibilities: 0percentTragic quantity: E
p — clinched Presidents’ Trophyy — clinched divisionx — clinched playoff berthe — eradicated from playoff competition
Race for the No. 1 decide
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 just isn’t 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 draw for the No. 1 decide. Full particulars on the method may be discovered right here. Sitting No. 1 on the draft board for this summer season is Macklin Celebrini, a freshman at Boston College.
Factors: 40Regulation wins: 12
Factors: 45Regulation wins: 14
Factors: 52Regulation wins: 18
Factors: 58Regulation wins: 18
Factors: 63Regulation wins: 23
Factors: 64Regulation wins: 16
Factors: 64Regulation wins: 21
Factors: 69Regulation wins: 22
Factors: 70Regulation wins: 25
Factors: 71Regulation wins: 28
Factors: 73Regulation wins: 28
Factors: 74Regulation wins: 30
Factors: 75Regulation wins: 22
Factors: 77Regulation wins: 27
Factors: 78Regulation wins: 25
Factors: 80Regulation wins: 28
* The Penguins’ first-round decide was traded to the Sharks as a part of the Erik Karlsson commerce. Nevertheless, it’s top-10 protected.
