NHL playoff standings: Key matchups on Super Saturday

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 might be gained and misplaced by the top of the 11-game slate on Tremendous Saturday. Listed here are the important thing matchups to look at:

Editor’s Picks

2 Associated

Tampa Bay Lightning at Pittsburgh Penguins (1 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN+): The Lightning have used a springtime surge to tug 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 doubtlessly 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 rating of present 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 Energy Play on ESPN+): Whereas the Jets have clinched their playoff berth, the Wild stay mathematically alive heading into this sport. That mathematical chance could be razor-thin following a Wild loss right here.

Philadelphia Flyers at Columbus Blue Jackets (7 p.m. ET, NHL Energy 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 towards a basement-dwelling membership just like the Blue Jackets is significant.

Nashville Predators at New York Islanders (7:30 p.m. ET, NHL Energy 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 robust 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 towards the rival New York Rangers).

Edmonton Oilers at Calgary Flames (10 p.m. ET, NHL Energy Play on ESPN+): WrestleMania is happening Saturday and Sunday in Philadelphia, however there might be maybe much more fisticuffs on this ultimate Battle of Alberta showdown for 2023-24 — particularly because the Oilers are playoff-bound whereas the Flames have already been eradicated.

Vancouver Canucks at Los Angeles Kings (10 p.m., NHL Energy Play on ESPN+): There might be some shuffling of the seeds among the many Western playoff groups from right here on out, however that is one attainable first-round matchup mixture. Regardless of the overall placement of every staff within the standings, Vancouver has had hassle with L.A. this season, with the latter membership profitable two of three video games so far.

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 chances are high by way of Stathletes.

Leap forward:Present playoff matchupsSaturday’s scheduleFriday’s scoresExpanded standingsRace for No. 1 decide

Present playoff matchups

Jap Convention

A1 Boston Bruins vs. WC1 Tampa Bay LightningA2 Florida Panthers vs. A3 Toronto Maple LeafsM1 New York Rangers vs. WC2 Philadelphia FlyersM2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 New York Islanders

Western Convention

C1 Dallas Stars vs. WC2 Los Angeles KingsC2 Colorado Avalanche vs. C3 Winnipeg JetsP1 Vancouver Canucks vs. WC1 Nashville PredatorsP2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Vegas Golden Knights

Saturday’s video games

Be aware: All occasions 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).

Playoff Hockey Problem

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.

Friday’s scoreboard

Buffalo Sabres 4, Philadelphia Flyers 2New York Rangers 4, Detroit Pink Wings 3Carolina Hurricanes 4, Washington Capitals 2Edmonton Oilers 6, Colorado Avalanche 2Arizona Coyotes 7, Vegas Golden Knights 4Seattle Kraken 3, Anaheim Geese 1

Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

Factors: 105Regulation wins: 35Playoff place: A1Games left: 5Points tempo: 112Next sport: vs. FLA (Saturday)Playoff probabilities: 100percentTragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 101Regulation wins: 39Playoff place: A2Games left: 5Points tempo: 108Next sport: @ BOS (Saturday)Playoff probabilities: 100percentTragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 95Regulation wins: 31Playoff place: A3Games left: 7Points tempo: 104Next sport: @ MTL (Saturday)Playoff probabilities: 100percentTragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 93Regulation wins: 35Playoff place: WC1Games left: 6Points tempo: 100Next sport: @ PIT (Saturday)Playoff probabilities: 100percentTragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 82Regulation wins: 26Playoff place: N/AGames left: 6Points tempo: 89Next sport: vs. BUF (Sunday)Playoff probabilities: 43.4percentTragic quantity: 11

Factors: 79Regulation wins: 31Playoff place: N/AGames left: 5Points tempo: 84Next sport: @ DET (Sunday)Playoff probabilities: 2.1percentTragic quantity: 6

Factors: 70Regulation wins: 24Playoff place: N/AGames left: 7Points tempo: 77Next sport: vs. NJ (Saturday)Playoff probabilities: ~0percentTragic quantity: 1

Factors: 70Regulation wins: 19Playoff place: N/AGames left: 7Points tempo: 77Next sport: vs. TOR (Saturday)Playoff probabilities: ~0percentTragic quantity: 1

Metropolitan Division

Factors: 108Regulation wins: 41Playoff place: M1Games left: 5Points tempo: 115Next sport: vs. MTL (Sunday)Playoff probabilities: 100percentTragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 103Regulation wins: 40Playoff place: M2Games left: 5Points tempo: 110Next sport: vs. CBJ (Sunday)Playoff probabilities: 100percentTragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 83Regulation wins: 25Playoff place: M3Games left: 6Points tempo: 90Next sport: vs. NSH (Saturday)Playoff probabilities: 57.0percentTragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 83Regulation wins: 28Playoff place: WC2Games left: 5Points tempo: 88Next sport: @ CBJ (Saturday)Playoff probabilities: 46.7percentTragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 82Regulation wins: 28Playoff place: N/AGames left: 6Points tempo: 89Next sport: vs. OTT (Sunday)Playoff probabilities: 31.5percentTragic quantity: 11

Factors: 81Regulation wins: 30Playoff place: N/AGames left: 6Points tempo: 87Next sport: vs. TB (Saturday)Playoff probabilities: 18.9percentTragic quantity: 10

Factors: 76Regulation wins: 31Playoff place: N/AGames left: 6Points tempo: 82Next sport: @ OTT (Saturday)Playoff probabilities: 0.5percentTragic quantity: 5

Factors: 62Regulation wins: 19Playoff place: N/AGames left: 6Points tempo: 67Next sport: vs. PHI (Saturday)Playoff probabilities: 0percentTragic quantity: E

Central Division

Factors: 105Regulation wins: 37Playoff place: C1Games left: 6Points tempo: 113Next sport: @ CHI (Saturday)Playoff probabilities: 100percentTragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 102Regulation wins: 40Playoff place: C2Games left: 5Points tempo: 109Next sport: vs. DAL (Sunday)Playoff probabilities: 100percentTragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 98Regulation wins: 41Playoff place: C3Games left: 6Points tempo: 106Next sport: @ MIN (Saturday)Playoff probabilities: 100percentTragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 92Regulation wins: 36Playoff place: WC1Games left: 6Points tempo: 99Next sport: @ NYI (Saturday)Playoff probabilities: 99.8percentTragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 84Regulation wins: 29Playoff place: N/AGames left: 6Points tempo: 91Next sport: @ SJ (Saturday)Playoff probabilities: 0.8percentTragic quantity: 5

Factors: 81Regulation wins: 29Playoff place: N/AGames left: 7Points tempo: 89Next sport: vs. WPG (Saturday)Playoff probabilities: 0.3percentTragic quantity: 4

Factors: 69Regulation wins: 26Playoff place: N/AGames left: 6Points tempo: 75Next sport: @ SJ (Sunday)Playoff probabilities: 0percentTragic quantity: E

Factors: 49Regulation wins: 16Playoff place: N/AGames left: 7Points tempo: 54Next sport: vs. DAL (Saturday)Playoff probabilities: 0percentTragic quantity: E

Pacific Division

Factors: 102Regulation wins: 41Playoff place: P1Games left: 6Points tempo: 110Next sport: @ LA (Saturday)Playoff probabilities: 100percentTragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 97Regulation wins: 36Playoff place: P2Games left: 7Points tempo: 106Next sport: @ CGY (Saturday)Playoff probabilities: 100percentTragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 92Regulation wins: 32Playoff place: P3Games left: 6Points tempo: 99Next sport: @ VAN (Monday)Playoff probabilities: 99.7percentTragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 91Regulation wins: 34Playoff place: WC2Games left: 6Points tempo: 98Next sport: vs. VAN (Saturday)Playoff probabilities: 99.4percentTragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 77Regulation wins: 26Playoff place: N/AGames left: 6Points tempo: 83Next sport: vs. ARI (Tuesday)Playoff probabilities: 0percentTragic quantity: E

Factors: 73Regulation wins: 29Playoff place: N/AGames left: 7Points tempo: 80Next sport: vs. EDM (Saturday)Playoff probabilities: 0percentTragic quantity: E

Factors: 54Regulation wins: 19Playoff place: N/AGames left: 5Points tempo: 58Next sport: vs. STL (Sunday)Playoff probabilities: 0percentTragic quantity: E

Factors: 42Regulation wins: 13Playoff place: N/AGames left: 7Points tempo: 46Next sport: vs. STL (Saturday)Playoff probabilities: 0percentTragic quantity: E

p — clinched Presidents’ Trophyy — clinched divisionx — clinched playoff berthe — eradicated from playoff competition

Race for the No. 1 decide

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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 will not be 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: 42Regulation wins: 13

Factors: 49Regulation wins: 16

Factors: 54Regulation wins: 19

Factors: 62Regulation wins: 19

Factors: 69Regulation wins: 26

Factors: 70Regulation wins: 19

Factors: 70Regulation wins: 24

Factors: 73Regulation wins: 29

Factors: 76Regulation wins: 31

Factors: 77Regulation wins: 26

Factors: 79Regulation wins: 31

Factors: 81Regulation wins: 29