Following the St. Louis Blues’ Stanley Cup championship run in 2019, the staff stored their followers engaged with playoff returns the next three seasons. An 81-point marketing campaign in 2022-23 landed them sixth within the Central Division and out of doors the playoff image, and they’re at the moment exterior the playoff combine heading into Monday’s two-game NHL schedule.
In actual fact, Stathletes initiatives their probabilities of a postseason berth at 4.6%. So can they pull off a gentle upset and qualify?
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That course of begins Monday night time because the Blues host the staff they’re straight chasing for a wild-card spot, the Vegas Golden Knights (8 p.m. ET, NHL Community). The Knights have a four-point edge within the factors column (83-79), and are two video games forward in regulation wins. Vegas additionally has a sport in hand on St. Louis.
The unhealthy information: following Monday’s matchup, the Blues have the Edmonton Oilers, Nashville Predators, Carolina Hurricanes and Dallas Stars on the remaining schedule. The excellent news: they’ve the San Jose Sharks (twice!), Anaheim Geese and Chicago Blackhawks (plus a sport apiece in opposition to the non-playoff-bound Calgary Flames and Seattle Kraken).
What concerning the Golden Knights? The defending Cup champs have some robust matchups on the best way as effectively, together with two in opposition to the Vancouver Canucks, and one apiece in opposition to the Oilers, Preds, Winnipeg Jets and Colorado Avalanche; as well as, they’ve two contests in opposition to the Minnesota Wild, one other membership making an attempt to chase them down. However, additionally they have a sport in opposition to the Arizona Coyotes to interrupt up that robust slate, after which shut out with video games in opposition to the Blackhawks and Geese (simply in case they want 4 extra factors to seal the deal).
So it is a robust job, however not an not possible one, for the Blues to increase their season past 82 video games. A regulation win on Monday night time would make it just a bit simpler.
As we traverse the ultimate stretch of the common season, it is time to test 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 by way of Stathletes.
Bounce forward:Present playoff matchupsMonday’s scheduleSunday’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
Monday’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).
Vegas Golden Knights at St. Louis Blues, 8 p.m. (NHLN)Los Angeles Kings at Vancouver Canucks, 9 p.m.
Sunday’s scoreboard
Washington Capitals 3, Winnipeg Jets 0Colorado Avalanche 5, Pittsburgh Penguins 4 (OT)New Jersey Devils 4, New York Islanders 0Ottawa Senators 5, Edmonton Oilers 3Florida Panthers 4, Philadelphia Flyers 1Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs 1Dallas Stars 4, Arizona Coyotes 2Tampa Bay Lightning 3, Anaheim Geese 2 (OT)Buffalo Sabres 4, Calgary Flames 1Montreal Canadiens 5, Seattle Kraken 1
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: 99.1percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 78Regulation wins: 25Playoff place: N/AGames left: 11Points tempo: 90Next sport: @ WSH (Tuesday)Playoff possibilities: 35.8percentTragic quantity: 21
Factors: 73Regulation wins: 28Playoff place: N/AGames left: 10Points tempo: 83Next sport: vs. OTT (Wednesday)Playoff possibilities: 1.1percentTragic 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: 77.1percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 79Regulation wins: 28Playoff place: WC2Games left: 12Points tempo: 93Next sport: vs. DET (Tuesday)Playoff possibilities: 55percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 75Regulation wins: 22Playoff place: N/AGames left: 11Points tempo: 87Next sport: @ FLA (Thursday)Playoff possibilities: 12.1percentTragic quantity: 18
Factors: 74Regulation wins: 30Playoff place: N/AGames left: 10Points tempo: 84Next sport: @ TOR (Tuesday)Playoff possibilities: 19.3percentTragic 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: 99.5percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 79Regulation wins: 28Playoff place: N/AGames left: 11Points tempo: 91Next sport: vs. VGK (Monday)Playoff possibilities: 4.6percentTragic quantity: 18
Factors: 77Regulation wins: 27Playoff place: N/AGames left: 11Points tempo: 89Next sport: vs. SJ (Thursday)Playoff possibilities: 8.2percentTragic quantity: 16
Factors: 63Regulation wins: 23Playoff place: N/AGames left: 11Points tempo: 73Next sport: vs. CBJ (Tuesday)Playoff possibilities: ~0percentTragic quantity: 2
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: 11Points tempo: 113Next sport: vs. LA (Monday)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: 85Regulation wins: 31Playoff place: P3Games left: 12Points tempo: 100Next sport: @ VAN (Monday)Playoff possibilities: 95.9percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 83Regulation wins: 30Playoff place: WC2Games left: 12Points tempo: 97Next sport: @ STL (Monday)Playoff possibilities: 88.9percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 71Regulation wins: 28Playoff place: N/AGames left: 12Points tempo: 83Next sport: @ CHI (Tuesday)Playoff possibilities: 2.8percentTragic quantity: 12
Factors: 69Regulation wins: 22Playoff place: N/AGames left: 12Points tempo: 81Next sport: vs. ANA (Tuesday)Playoff possibilities: 0.1percentTragic quantity: 10
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 rivalry
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 staff that finishes in final place isn’t assured the No. 1 choice. As of 2021, a staff 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: 79Regulation 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.