It is a usually busy Thursday evening within the NHL, with 14 video games on the schedule. And there are some absolute gems amongst these 14 contests, together with a number of that might be run again in the course of the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs.
The early window contains three video games that might happen in both the primary spherical of the Jap Convention bracket or additional down the street:
Editor’s Picks
2 Associated
Somewhat later, we’ll see a rematch of a first-round matchup from final season (that might doubtlessly be one this season as nicely), because the Vegas Golden Knights tackle the Winnipeg Jets (8 p.m. ET, NHL Energy Play on ESPN+). In the meantime, it is trying more and more possible that the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings will sq. off within the first spherical for a 3rd straight postseason, and people two will take the ice in opposition to each other Thursday (9 p.m. ET, NHL Energy Play on ESPN+).
Two of the most effective groups within the Western Convention, the division-leading Dallas Stars and Vancouver Canucks, will sq. off Thursday (10 p.m. ET, NHL Energy Play on ESPN+), and doubtlessly once more within the Western Convention finals.
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The eyes of the hockey-loving world might be monitoring Thursday’s predominant occasion: A possible Stanley Cup Last matchup between two juggernauts, because the New York Rangers go to the Colorado Avalanche (9 p.m. ET, NHL Energy Play on ESPN+).
It’s going to be a busy evening, with mathematical implications within the standings and psychological implications for potential matchups later this spring.
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.
Notice: Playoff chances are high through Stathletes.
Bounce forward:Present playoff matchupsClinching scenariosThursday’s scheduleWednesday’s scoresExpanded standingsRace for No. 1 choose
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 Washington CapitalsM2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 Philadelphia Flyers
Western Convention
C1 Dallas Stars vs. WC2 Vegas Golden KnightsC2 Colorado Avalanche vs. C3 Winnipeg JetsP1 Vancouver Canucks vs. WC1 Nashville PredatorsP2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings
Clinching situations
1. The Florida Panthers will clinch a playoff berth in the event that they defeat the New York Islanders in any vogue. They may even clinch in the event that they lose in time beyond regulation or shootout AND both the Detroit Crimson Wings lose to the Carolina Hurricanes in any vogue or the Philadelphia Flyers lose to the Montreal Canadiens in regulation. The Panthers may even clinch if the Crimson Wings lose to the Hurricanes in regulation.
2. The Hurricanes will clinch a playoff berth in the event that they win in any vogue in opposition to the Crimson Wings. The Canes may even clinch in the event that they lose in time beyond regulation or shootout AND the Flyers lose to the Canadiens in regulation.
3. The Boston Bruins will clinch a playoff berth if the Crimson Wings lose to the Canes in any vogue OR the Flyers lose to the Canadiens in regulation.
4. The Dallas Stars will clinch a playoff berth in the event that they win in opposition to the Vancouver Canucks in any vogue. They may even clinch a berth in the event that they lose in time beyond regulation or shootout AND
5. The Canucks will clinch a playoff berth in the event that they win in opposition to the Stars in any vogue. They’ll additionally qualify for the postseason in the event that they lose in time beyond regulation or shootout AND
6. The Colorado Avalanche will clinch a playoff berth with a win of any variety in opposition to the New York Rangers coupled with a Blues lack of any variety. They’ll additionally qualify with an time beyond regulation or shootout loss paired with a Wild lack of any vogue AND a Blues loss in regulation.
Thursday’s video games
Notice: 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).
Washington Capitals at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m.Philadelphia Flyers at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m.Chicago Blackhawks at Ottawa Senators, 7 p.m.New York Islanders at Florida Panthers, 7 p.m.Columbus Blue Jackets at Pittsburgh Penguins, 7 p.m.Detroit Crimson Wings at Carolina Hurricanes, 7:30 p.m.Calgary Flames at St. Louis Blues, 8 p.m.San Jose Sharks at Minnesota Wild, 8 p.m.Vegas Golden Knights at Winnipeg Jets, 8 p.m.New York Rangers at Colorado Avalanche, 9 p.m.Los Angeles Kings at Edmonton Oilers, 9 p.m.Dallas Stars at Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m.Nashville Predators at Arizona Coyotes, 10 p.m.Anaheim Geese at Seattle Kraken, 10 p.m.
Wednesday’s scoreboard
Ottawa Senators 6, Buffalo Sabres 2Tampa Bay Lightning 3, Boston Bruins 1
Expanded standings
Atlantic Division
Factors: 99Regulation wins: 33Playoff place: A1Games left: 8Points tempo: 110Next recreation: @ WSH (Saturday)Playoff probabilities: 99.9percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 97Regulation wins: 38Playoff place: A2Games left: 10Points tempo: 111Next recreation: vs. NYI (Thursday)Playoff probabilities: 99.9percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 89Regulation wins: 28Playoff place: A3Games left: 11Points tempo: 103Next recreation: vs. WSH (Thursday)Playoff probabilities: 99.9percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 87Regulation wins: 32Playoff place: WC1Games left: 10Points tempo: 99Next recreation: vs. NYI (Saturday)Playoff probabilities: 98.7percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 79Regulation wins: 25Playoff place: N/AGames left: 10Points tempo: 90Next recreation: @ CAR (Thursday)Playoff probabilities: 24.5percentTragic quantity: 18
Factors: 73Regulation wins: 28Playoff place: N/AGames left: 9Points tempo: 82Next recreation: vs. NJ (Friday)Playoff probabilities: 1.4percentTragic quantity: 10
Factors: 66Regulation wins: 22Playoff place: N/AGames left: 11Points tempo: 76Next recreation: vs. CHI (Thursday)Playoff probabilities: ~0percentTragic quantity: 7
Factors: 66Regulation wins: 17Playoff place: N/AGames left: 11Points tempo: 76Next recreation: vs. PHI (Thursday)Playoff probabilities: ~0percentTragic quantity: 7
Metropolitan Division
Factors: 100Regulation wins: 38Playoff place: M1Games left: 10Points tempo: 114Next recreation: @ COL (Thursday)Playoff probabilities: 100percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 97Regulation wins: 37Playoff place: M2Games left: 9Points tempo: 109Next recreation: vs. DET (Thursday)Playoff probabilities: 99.9percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 82Regulation wins: 28Playoff place: M3Games left: 9Points tempo: 92Next recreation: @ MTL (Thursday)Playoff probabilities: 86.6percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 81Regulation wins: 28Playoff place: WC2Games left: 11Points tempo: 94Next recreation: @ TOR (Thursday)Playoff probabilities: 65.1percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 76Regulation wins: 31Playoff place: N/AGames left: 9Points tempo: 85Next recreation: @ BUF (Friday)Playoff probabilities: 11.7percentTragic quantity: 13
Factors: 75Regulation wins: 22Playoff place: N/AGames left: 11Points tempo: 87Next recreation: @ FLA (Thursday)Playoff probabilities: 10.8percentTragic quantity: 16
Factors: 72Regulation wins: 26Playoff place: N/AGames left: 11Points tempo: 83Next recreation: vs. CBJ (Thursday)Playoff probabilities: 1.2percentTragic quantity: 13
Factors: 58Regulation wins: 18Playoff place: N/AGames left: 10Points tempo: 66Next recreation: @ PIT (Thursday)Playoff probabilities: 0percentTragic quantity: E
Central Division
Factors: 99Regulation wins: 34Playoff place: C1Games left: 9Points tempo: 111Next recreation: @ VAN (Thursday)Playoff probabilities: 99.9percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 97Regulation wins: 38Playoff place: C2Games left: 10Points tempo: 111Next recreation: vs. NYR (Thursday)Playoff probabilities: 99.9percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 94Regulation wins: 39Playoff place: C3Games left: 10Points tempo: 107Next recreation: vs. VGK (Thursday)Playoff probabilities: 99.9percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 90Regulation wins: 35Playoff place: WC1Games left: 10Points tempo: 103Next recreation: @ ARI (Thursday)Playoff probabilities: 99.8percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 80Regulation wins: 28Playoff place: N/AGames left: 10Points tempo: 91Next recreation: vs. CGY (Thursday)Playoff probabilities: 4.3percentTragic quantity: 14
Factors: 77Regulation wins: 27Playoff place: N/AGames left: 11Points tempo: 89Next recreation: vs. SJ (Thursday)Playoff probabilities: 2percentTragic quantity: 13
Factors: 65Regulation wins: 24Playoff place: N/AGames left: 10Points tempo: 74Next recreation: vs. NSH (Thursday)Playoff probabilities: 0percentTragic quantity: E
Factors: 47Regulation wins: 15Playoff place: N/AGames left: 10Points tempo: 54Next recreation: @ OTT (Thursday)Playoff probabilities: 0percentTragic quantity: E
Pacific Division
Factors: 98Regulation wins: 39Playoff place: P1Games left: 10Points tempo: 112Next recreation: vs. DAL (Thursday)Playoff probabilities: 99.9percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 90Regulation wins: 33Playoff place: P2Games left: 12Points tempo: 105Next recreation: vs. LA (Thursday)Playoff probabilities: 99.9percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 87Regulation wins: 32Playoff place: P3Games left: 11Points tempo: 101Next recreation: @ EDM (Thursday)Playoff probabilities: 99.3percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 86Regulation wins: 30Playoff place: WC2Games left: 10Points tempo: 98Next recreation: @ WPG (Thursday)Playoff probabilities: 94.5percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 71Regulation wins: 28Playoff place: N/AGames left: 11Points tempo: 82Next recreation: @ STL (Thursday)Playoff probabilities: 0.1percentTragic quantity: 7
Factors: 71Regulation wins: 23Playoff place: N/AGames left: 11Points tempo: 82Next recreation: vs. ANA (Thursday)Playoff probabilities: ~0percentTragic quantity: 7
Factors: 52Regulation wins: 18Playoff place: N/AGames left: 10Points tempo: 59Next recreation: @ SEA (Thursday)Playoff probabilities: 0percentTragic quantity: E
Factors: 40Regulation wins: 12Playoff place: N/AGames left: 11Points tempo: 46Next recreation: @ MIN (Thursday)Playoff probabilities: 0percentTragic quantity: E
p — clinched Presidents’ Trophyy — clinched divisionx — clinched playoff berthe — eradicated from playoff rivalry
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 staff that finishes in final place is just not 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 choose. Full particulars on the method may be discovered right here. Sitting No. 1 on the draft board for this summer time is Macklin Celebrini, a freshman at Boston College.
Factors: 40Regulation wins: 12
Factors: 47Regulation wins: 15
Factors: 52Regulation wins: 18
Factors: 58Regulation wins: 18
Factors: 64Regulation wins: 21
Factors: 65Regulation wins: 24
Factors: 66Regulation wins: 17
Factors: 71Regulation wins: 23
Factors: 71Regulation wins: 28
Factors: 72Regulation wins: 26
Factors: 73Regulation wins: 28
Factors: 75Regulation wins: 22
Factors: 76Regulation wins: 31
Factors: 77Regulation wins: 27
Factors: 79Regulation wins: 25
Factors: 80Regulation wins: 28
* The Penguins’ first-round choose was traded to the Sharks as a part of the Erik Karlsson commerce. Nevertheless, it’s top-10 protected.
