As with most Thursdays on the NHL schedule, the lineup of matchups is fairly stellar. It contains an interconference showdown of two of the most popular groups within the league because the Nashville Predators go to the Florida Panthers (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+/Hulu). There’s additionally a recreation that may have large ramifications on the Jap Convention wild-card race because the New York Islanders tackle the Detroit Crimson Wings (7 p.m. ET, NHL Energy Play on ESPN+).
However the highest-profile matchup on the docket is the New York Rangers’ go to to TD Backyard to play the Boston Bruins (7 p.m. ET, NHL Energy Play on ESPN+). The 2 groups at present lead their respective divisions, and the Bruins maintain the highest spot in your complete league.
Editor’s Picks
1 Associated
The Rangers have received each video games within the season collection up to now, 7-4 at Madison Sq. Backyard on Nov. 25 and 2-1 in OT in Boston on Dec. 16. We’ll see a extra playoff-ready model of every crew on this contest, however what are the probabilities that is the matchup within the Jap Convention finals?
Utilizing Stathletes projections, the East bracket will line up as follows: A1 Bruins vs. WC2 Washington Capitals; A2 Panthers vs. A3 Toronto Maple Leafs; M1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. WC1 Tampa Bay Lightning; M2 Rangers vs. M3 Philadelphia Flyers.
The Bruins misplaced their one recreation in opposition to the Caps this season, with two extra upcoming; however let’s assume they will get by Alex Ovechkin & Co. The Rangers have fared higher in opposition to the Flyers, profitable each video games thus far with two left on the slate.
Waiting for Spherical 2, the Bruins swept the Maple Leafs this season and have two wins in two tries in opposition to Florida (with two extra remaining). As for the Rangers, they’ve gone 2-1 in opposition to each the Canes (pre-Evgeny Kuznetsov and Jake Guentzel) and Lightning.
Matchups matter en path to the Stanley Cup Last, however there’s actually a powerful probability that Thursday’s showdown will probably be repeated as a best-of-7 in Might.
As we traverse the ultimate stretch of the common season, it is time to examine 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.
Leap forward:Present playoff matchupsToday’s scheduleLast night time’s scoresExpanded standingsRace for No. 1 decide
Present playoff matchups
Jap Convention
A1 Boston Bruins vs. WC2 Detroit Crimson WingsA2 Florida Panthers vs. A3 Toronto Maple LeafsM1 New York Rangers vs. WC1 Tampa Bay LightningM2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 Philadelphia Flyers
Western Convention
C1 Winnipeg Jets vs. WC1 Nashville PredatorsC2 Colorado Avalanche vs. C3 Dallas StarsP1 Vancouver Canucks vs. WC2 Vegas Golden KnightsP2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings
Thursday’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).
New York Rangers at Boston Bruins, 7 p.m.St. Louis Blues at Ottawa Senators, 7 p.m.New York Islanders at Detroit Crimson Wings, 7 p.m.Winnipeg Jets at New Jersey Devils, 7 p.m.Philadelphia Flyers at Carolina Hurricanes, 7 p.m.Nashville Predators at Florida Panthers, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN+/Hulu)Buffalo Sabres at Edmonton Oilers, 9 p.m.Montreal Canadiens at Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m.Chicago Blackhawks at Anaheim Geese, 10 p.m.Seattle Kraken at Vegas Golden Knights, 10:30 p.m. (ESPN)Tampa Bay Lightning at San Jose Sharks, 10:30 p.m.
Wednesday’s scoreboard
Toronto Maple Leafs 7, Washington Capitals 3Dallas Stars 5, Arizona Coyotes 2Los Angeles Kings 6, Minnesota Wild 0
Expanded standings
Atlantic Division
Factors: 97Regulation wins: 32Playoff place: A1Games left: 12Points tempo: 114Next recreation: vs. NYR (Thursday)Playoff possibilities: 99.9percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 94Regulation wins: 37Playoff place: A2Games left: 14Points tempo: 113Next recreation: vs. NSH (Thursday)Playoff possibilities: 99.9percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 87Regulation wins: 27Playoff place: A3Games left: 14Points tempo: 105Next recreation: vs. EDM (Saturday)Playoff possibilities: 99.9percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 80Regulation wins: 30Playoff place: WC1Games left: 14Points tempo: 97Next recreation: @ SJ (Thursday)Playoff possibilities: 97.1percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 76Regulation wins: 24Playoff place: WC2Games left: 13Points tempo: 90Next recreation: vs. NYI (Thursday)Playoff possibilities: 19.4percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 71Regulation wins: 27Playoff place: N/AGames left: 12Points tempo: 83Next recreation: @ EDM (Thursday)Playoff possibilities: 8.2percentTragic quantity: 19
Factors: 62Regulation wins: 15Playoff place: N/AGames left: 14Points tempo: 75Next recreation: @ VAN (Thursday)Playoff possibilities: ~0percentTragic quantity: 14
Factors: 60Regulation wins: 19Playoff place: N/AGames left: 15Points tempo: 73Next recreation: vs. STL (Thursday)Playoff possibilities: ~0percentTragic quantity: 13
Metropolitan Division
Factors: 94Regulation wins: 37Playoff place: M1Games left: 13Points tempo: 112Next recreation: @ BOS (Thursday)Playoff possibilities: 99.9percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 92Regulation wins: 36Playoff place: M2Games left: 13Points tempo: 109Next recreation: vs. PHI (Thursday)Playoff possibilities: 99.9percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 78Regulation wins: 27Playoff place: M3Games left: 13Points tempo: 93Next recreation: @ CAR (Thursday)Playoff possibilities: 52.3percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 75Regulation wins: 27Playoff place: N/AGames left: 14Points tempo: 90Next recreation: vs. CAR (Friday)Playoff possibilities: 61.6percentTragic quantity: 27
Factors: 73Regulation wins: 21Playoff place: N/AGames left: 14Points tempo: 88Next recreation: @ DET (Thursday)Playoff possibilities: 49percentTragic quantity: 25
Factors: 70Regulation wins: 28Playoff place: N/AGames left: 13Points tempo: 83Next recreation: vs. WPG (Thursday)Playoff possibilities: 6.8percentTragic quantity: 20
Factors: 69Regulation wins: 25Playoff place: N/AGames left: 14Points tempo: 83Next recreation: @ DAL Friday)Playoff possibilities: 5.7percentTragic quantity: 21
Factors: 58Regulation wins: 18Playoff place: N/AGames left: 13Points tempo: 69Next recreation: @ COL (Friday)Playoff possibilities: ~0percentTragic quantity: 8
Central Division
Factors: 93Regulation wins: 39Playoff place: C1Games left: 14Points tempo: 112Next recreation: @ NJ (Thursday)Playoff possibilities: 99.9percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 93Regulation wins: 37Playoff place: C2Games left: 13Points tempo: 111Next recreation: s. CBJ (Friday)Playoff possibilities: 99.9percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 93Regulation wins: 31Playoff place: C3Games left: 12Points tempo: 110Next recreation: vs. PIT (Friday)Playoff possibilities: 99.9percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 84Regulation wins: 33Playoff place: WC1Games left: 13Points tempo: 100Next recreation: @ FLA (Thursday)Playoff possibilities: 96percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 76Regulation wins: 27Playoff place: N/AGames left: 12Points tempo: 89Next recreation: vs. STL (Saturday)Playoff possibilities: 16.7percentTragic quantity: 21
Factors: 75Regulation wins: 27Playoff place: N/AGames left: 13Points tempo: 89Next recreation: vs. SEA (Thursday)Playoff possibilities: 4.8percentTragic quantity: 22
Factors: 61Regulation wins: 23Playoff place: N/AGames left: 13Points tempo: 73Next recreation: vs. SEA (Saturday)Playoff possibilities: ~0percentTragic quantity: 8
Factors: 43Regulation wins: 14Playoff place: N/AGames left: 13Points tempo: 51Next recreation: @ ANA (Thursday)Playoff possibilities: 0percentTragic quantity: E
Pacific Division
Factors: 94Regulation wins: 37Playoff place: P1Games left: 13Points tempo: 112Next recreation: vs. MTL (Thursday)Playoff possibilities: 99.9percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 86Regulation wins: 32Playoff place: P2Games left: 16Points tempo: 107Next recreation: vs. BUF (Thursday)Playoff possibilities: 99.9percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 83Regulation wins: 31Playoff place: P3Games left: 13Points tempo: 99Next recreation: vs. TB (Saturday)Playoff possibilities: 88.1percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 79Regulation wins: 28Playoff place: WC2Games left: 14Points tempo: 95Next recreation: vs. SEA (Thursday)Playoff possibilities: 90.3percentTragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 71Regulation wins: 28Playoff place: N/AGames left: 14Points tempo: 86Next recreation: @ VAN (Saturday)Playoff possibilities: 3.6percentTragic quantity: 20
Factors: 68Regulation wins: 22Playoff place: N/AGames left: 15Points tempo: 83Next recreation: @ VGK (Thursday)Playoff possibilities: 0.4percentTragic quantity: 19
Factors: 49Regulation wins: 17Playoff place: N/AGames left: 13Points tempo: 58Next recreation: vs. CHI (Thursday)Playoff possibilities: ~0percentTragic quantity: E
Factors: 39Regulation wins: 12Playoff place: N/AGames left: 14Points tempo: 47Next recreation: vs. TB (Thursday)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 crew that finishes in final place shouldn’t be assured the No. 1 choice. As of 2021, a crew 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 might be discovered right here. Sitting No. 1 on the draft board for this summer season is Macklin Celebrini, a freshman at Boston College.
Factors: 39Regulation wins: 12
Factors: 43Regulation wins: 14
Factors: 49Regulation wins: 17
Factors: 58Regulation wins: 18
Factors: 60Regulation wins: 19
Factors: 61Regulation wins: 23
Factors: 62Regulation wins: 15
Factors: 68Regulation wins: 22
Factors: 69Regulation wins: 25
Factors: 70Regulation wins: 28
Factors: 71Regulation wins: 27
Factors: 71Regulation wins: 28
Factors: 73Regulation wins: 21
Factors: 75Regulation wins: 27
Factors: 75Regulation wins: 27
Factors: 76Regulation wins: 27
* The Penguins’ first-round decide was traded to the Sharks as a part of the Erik Karlsson commerce. Nevertheless, it’s top-10 protected.