After the NHL trade deadline, the New York Islanders found themselves in a challenging position, trailing the Ottawa Senators by four points for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Four other teams also stood between them and the coveted playoff position.
However, the situation has quickly evolved. As of Wednesday, the Islanders are now just one point away from a playoff spot. The question is: can they capitalize on this momentum and secure a playoff berth?
Their immediate challenge is against the Vancouver Canucks, who will play at UBS Arena on Wednesday night. The Canucks are also fiercely competing for a playoff spot and are trying to overtake the St. Louis Blues, who have been on a winning streak since the trade deadline. This game is expected to be a tough test for the Islanders on home ice.
Looking ahead, the Islanders face an even more demanding schedule. Their next five games are against teams currently positioned for the playoffs: the Tampa Bay Lightning (twice), Carolina Hurricanes, Minnesota Wild, and Washington Capitals. Following this stretch, they have a slightly easier game against the Nashville Predators, before concluding the season with divisional matchups against the New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, New Jersey Devils, again the Capitals, and the Columbus Blue Jackets. These divisional rivals will undoubtedly be tough opponents, unlikely to give the Islanders any easy wins.
Despite the difficult road ahead, history suggests it would be unwise to underestimate the Islanders. Projections from Stathletes indicate that the Islanders have a 24.3% chance of defying expectations and making the playoffs.
With less than a month remaining until the regular season concludes on April 17th, the NHL playoff race is heating up. We will continue to provide updates on the playoff scenarios and the teams vying for position in the 2025 NHL draft lottery as the season progresses.
Current Playoff Matchups
Eastern Conference
- A1 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. WC1 Ottawa Senators
- A2 Florida Panthers vs. A3 Tampa Bay Lightning
- M1 Washington Capitals vs. WC2 Montreal Canadiens
- M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 New Jersey Devils
Western Conference
- C1 Winnipeg Jets vs. WC2 St. Louis Blues
- C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche
- P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC1 Minnesota Wild
- P2 Los Angeles Kings vs. P3 Edmonton Oilers
Wednesday`s Games
Note: All times ET. Games not on TNT or NHL Network stream on ESPN+ (blackouts apply).
- Vancouver Canucks at New York Islanders, 7:30 p.m.
- New Jersey Devils at Chicago Blackhawks, 7:30 p.m. (TNT)
- Dallas Stars at Edmonton Oilers, 10 p.m. (TNT)
- Boston Bruins at Anaheim Ducks, 10 p.m.
Tuesday`s Scoreboard
- Buffalo Sabres 3, Ottawa Senators 2
- Toronto Maple Leafs 7, Philadelphia Flyers 2
- Tampa Bay Lightning 6, Pittsburgh Penguins 1
- Nashville Predators 3, Carolina Hurricanes 1
- St. Louis Blues 6, Montreal Canadiens 1
- Vegas Golden Knights 5, Minnesota Wild 1
- Winnipeg Jets 3, Washington Capitals 2 (OT)
- Colorado Avalanche 5, Detroit Red Wings 2
- Calgary Flames 4, Seattle Kraken 3 (OT)
- Los Angeles Kings 3, New York Rangers 1
Expanded Standings
Atlantic Division
Toronto Maple Leafs
Points: 89
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 11
Points pace: 102.8
Next game: @ SJ (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Florida Panthers
Points: 89
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 11
Points pace: 102.8
Next game: vs. UTA (Friday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Tampa Bay Lightning
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 11
Points pace: 100.5
Next game: vs. UTA (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Ottawa Senators
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 12
Points pace: 92.5
Next game: @ DET (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 97.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Montreal Canadiens
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 12
Points pace: 87.9
Next game: @ PHI (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 38.6%
Tragic number: N/A
Detroit Red Wings
Points: 72
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 83.2
Next game: vs. OTT (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 3.4%
Tragic number: 20
Boston Bruins
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 78.6
Next game: @ ANA (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 0.2%
Tragic number: 15
Buffalo Sabres
Points: 64
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 75.0
Next game: vs. MTL (Thursday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 14
Metro Division
x – Washington Capitals
Points: 103
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 11
Points pace: 119.0
Next game: @ MIN (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Carolina Hurricanes
Points: 90
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 11
Points pace: 103.9
Next game: vs. MTL (Friday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
New Jersey Devils
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 10
Points pace: 92.3
Next game: @ CHI (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 96.4%
Tragic number: N/A
New York Islanders
Points: 74
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 86.7
Next game: vs. VAN (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 30.9%
Tragic number: 24
New York Rangers
Points: 74
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 84.3
Next game: @ ANA (Friday)
Playoff chances: 16.4%
Tragic number: 20
Columbus Blue Jackets
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 85.5
Next game: vs. VAN (Friday)
Playoff chances: 16.2%
Tragic number: 23
Pittsburgh Penguins
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 77.5
Next game: @ BUF (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 13
Philadelphia Flyers
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 73.0
Next game: vs. MTL (Thursday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 9
Central Division
x – Winnipeg Jets
Points: 102
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 10
Points pace: 116.2
Next game: vs. NJ (Friday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Dallas Stars
Points: 94
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 12
Points pace: 110.1
Next game: @ EDM (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Colorado Avalanche
Points: 91
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 10
Points pace: 103.6
Next game: vs. LA (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Minnesota Wild
Points: 85
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 10
Points pace: 96.8
Next game: vs. WSH (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 91.4%
Tragic number: N/A
St. Louis Blues
Points: 83
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 9
Points pace: 93.2
Next game: @ NSH (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 81.5%
Tragic number: N/A
Utah Hockey Club
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 86.6
Next game: @ TB (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 4.1%
Tragic number: 15
Nashville Predators
Points: 62
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 71.6
Next game: vs. STL (Thursday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 2
e – Chicago Blackhawks
Points: 51
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 58.9
Next game: vs. NJ (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Pacific Division
Vegas Golden Knights
Points: 94
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 11
Points pace: 108.6
Next game: @ CHI (Friday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Los Angeles Kings
Points: 89
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 12
Points pace: 104.3
Next game: @ COL (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Edmonton Oilers
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 12
Points pace: 101.9
Next game: vs. DAL (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 99.0%
Tragic number: N/A
Calgary Flames
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 92.5
Next game: vs. DAL (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 18.1%
Tragic number: 21
Vancouver Canucks
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 90.1
Next game: @ NYI (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 5.9%
Tragic number: 18
Anaheim Ducks
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 79.7
Next game: vs. BOS (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 10
Seattle Kraken
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 75.2
Next game: vs. EDM (Thursday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 4
e – San Jose Sharks
Points: 47
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 55.1
Next game: vs. TOR (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Note: `x` = clinched playoff berth, `e` = eliminated from playoff contention.
Race for the No. 1 Pick
The NHL draft lottery determines the first round order, so last place doesn`t guarantee No. 1 pick. Since 2021, teams can move up max 10 spots in the lottery, making 11 teams eligible for No. 1. Full details are available. Matthew Schaefer, OHL Erie Otters defenseman, is currently ranked No. 1.
1. San Jose Sharks
Points: 47
Regulation wins: 14
2. Chicago Blackhawks
Points: 51
Regulation wins: 18
3. Nashville Predators
Points: 62
Regulation wins: 23
4. Buffalo Sabres
Points: 64
Regulation wins: 23
5. Philadelphia Flyers
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 17
6. Seattle Kraken
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 24
7. Anaheim Ducks
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 22
8. Pittsburgh Penguins
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 20
9. Boston Bruins
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
10. Detroit Red Wings
Points: 72
Regulation wins: 25
11. Columbus Blue Jackets
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 23
12. New York Rangers
Points: 74
Regulation wins: 31
13. New York Islanders
Points: 74
Regulation wins: 25
14. Utah Hockey Club
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 24
15. Vancouver Canucks
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 25
16. Calgary Flames
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 26
Rupert Hartwell