Saturday`s 11 NHL games clarified the playoff picture, with the Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers, and New York Islanders now out of contention. The Columbus Blue Jackets are the only team still chasing the Montreal Canadiens for a playoff spot in the East.
In the Western Conference, the St. Louis Blues` shootout loss to the Seattle Kraken kept the Calgary Flames` hopes flickering. Meanwhile, the Winnipeg Jets and Vegas Golden Knights secured their division titles with wins.
As the regular season nears its end on Thursday, here`s a look at what`s at stake in Sunday`s nine games:
Sunday`s Key Games
Philadelphia Flyers at Ottawa Senators, 1 p.m. ET
The Senators are locked into the first wild-card spot in the East and will face the Atlantic Division winner in the first round. The Flyers are currently fifth in the draft lottery order, close to the Boston Bruins and Seattle Kraken.
New York Islanders at New Jersey Devils, 1 p.m. ET
The Islanders were eliminated from playoff contention on Saturday and are now in the No. 10 spot in the draft lottery. The Devils are locked into the No. 3 seed in the Metro Division and will start the playoffs against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Boston Bruins at Pittsburgh Penguins, 3:30 p.m. ET
Both teams are out of playoff contention this year. Boston is currently No. 4 in the draft lottery, while Pittsburgh is No. 8.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Carolina Hurricanes, 5 p.m. ET
Toronto leads the Atlantic Division and can clinch the title today with a win and a Lightning loss. Carolina is locked into second place in the Metro Division and will play the Devils in the first round.
Buffalo Sabres at Tampa Bay Lightning, 6 p.m. ET
The Lightning are still chasing the Atlantic Division title. The Sabres are high in the draft lottery order (No. 7) but have been playing well recently.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Washington Capitals, 6 p.m. ET
Columbus is trying to catch Montreal for the final wild-card spot. The Capitals are locked into the top seed in the East but are still chasing the Presidents` Trophy.
Edmonton Oilers at Winnipeg Jets, 7 p.m. ET
The Oilers are in the playoffs and will face the Los Angeles Kings in the first round again. Home-ice advantage is still to be determined. The Jets are locked in as the No. 1 seed in the West.
San Jose Sharks at Calgary Flames, 8 p.m. ET
The Flames are trying to make a late playoff push, while the Sharks have clinched the No. 1 spot in the draft lottery.
Colorado Avalanche at Anaheim Ducks, 10 p.m. ET
The Avalanche are locked into the No. 3 spot in the Central Division and will play the Dallas Stars in the first round. The Ducks are near the top of the draft lottery order.
Current Playoff Matchups
Eastern Conference
- Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators
- Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers
- Washington Capitals vs. Montreal Canadiens
- Carolina Hurricanes vs. New Jersey Devils
Western Conference
- Winnipeg Jets vs. St. Louis Blues
- Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche
- Vegas Golden Knights vs. Minnesota Wild
- Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers
Sunday`s Games Schedule
- Philadelphia Flyers at Ottawa Senators, 1 p.m. ET
- New York Islanders at New Jersey Devils, 1 p.m. ET (TNT)
- Boston Bruins at Pittsburgh Penguins, 3:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
- Toronto Maple Leafs at Carolina Hurricanes, 5 p.m. ET
- Buffalo Sabres at Tampa Bay Lightning, 6 p.m. ET
- Columbus Blue Jackets at Washington Capitals, 6 p.m. ET
- Edmonton Oilers at Winnipeg Jets, 7 p.m. ET
- San Jose Sharks at Calgary Flames, 8 p.m. ET
- Colorado Avalanche at Anaheim Ducks, 10 p.m. ET
Saturday`s Scores
- Philadelphia Flyers 4, New York Islanders 3 (SO)
- Columbus Blue Jackets 7, Washington Capitals 0
- Carolina Hurricanes 7, New York Rangers 3
- Los Angeles Kings 5, Colorado Avalanche 4
- Florida Panthers 3, Buffalo Sabres 2 (SO)
- Toronto Maple Leafs 1, Montreal Canadiens 0 (OT)
- Winnipeg Jets 5, Chicago Blackhawks 4 (SO)
- Utah Hockey Club 5, Dallas Stars 3
- Minnesota Wild 3, Vancouver Canucks 2 (OT)
- Vegas Golden Knights 5, Nashville Predators 3
- Seattle Kraken 4, St. Louis Blues 3 (SO)
Expanded Standings
Atlantic Division
| Team | Points | Regulation Wins | Playoff Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Maple Leafs (x) | 102 | 39 | A1 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning (x) | 98 | 39 | A2 |
| Florida Panthers (x) | 98 | 37 | A3 |
| Ottawa Senators (x) | 92 | 34 | WC1 |
| Montreal Canadiens | 88 | 29 | WC2 |
| Detroit Red Wings (e) | 81 | 29 | N/A |
| Buffalo Sabres (e) | 77 | 28 | N/A |
| Boston Bruins (e) | 73 | 25 | N/A |
Metro Division
| Team | Points | Regulation Wins | Playoff Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Capitals (z) | 109 | 42 | M1 |
| Carolina Hurricanes (x) | 99 | 42 | M2 |
| New Jersey Devils (x) | 89 | 36 | M3 |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | 83 | 27 | N/A |
| New York Rangers (e) | 81 | 33 | N/A |
| New York Islanders (e) | 80 | 27 | N/A |
| Pittsburgh Penguins (e) | 78 | 23 | N/A |
| Philadelphia Flyers (e) | 75 | 21 | N/A |
Central Division
| Team | Points | Regulation Wins | Playoff Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winnipeg Jets (z) | 114 | 43 | C1 |
| Dallas Stars (x) | 106 | 41 | C2 |
| Colorado Avalanche (x) | 100 | 39 | C3 |
| Minnesota Wild | 95 | 33 | WC1 |
| St. Louis Blues | 94 | 31 | WC2 |
| Utah Hockey Club (e) | 87 | 29 | N/A |
| Nashville Predators (e) | 66 | 23 | N/A |
| Chicago Blackhawks (e) | 57 | 20 | N/A |
Pacific Division
| Team | Points | Regulation Wins | Playoff Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vegas Golden Knights (y) | 107 | 45 | P1 |
| Los Angeles Kings (x) | 101 | 41 | P3 |
| Edmonton Oilers (x) | 97 | 34 | P2 |
| Calgary Flames | 90 | 29 | N/A |
| Vancouver Canucks (e) | 88 | 28 | N/A |
| Anaheim Ducks (e) | 78 | 24 | N/A |
| Seattle Kraken (e) | 76 | 28 | N/A |
| San Jose Sharks (e) | 51 | 14 | N/A |
Note: A `z` means the team clinched the top conference record. `y` – division title. `x` – playoff berth. `e` – eliminated.
Race for No. 1 Draft Pick
The NHL Draft Lottery determines the first-round order. Last place isn`t guaranteed No. 1. Teams can move up 10 spots max. Matthew Schaefer is currently the top prospect.
| Rank | Team | Points | Regulation Wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose Sharks | 51 | 14 |
| 2 | Chicago Blackhawks | 57 | 20 |
| 3 | Nashville Predators | 66 | 23 |
| 4 | Boston Bruins | 73 | 25 |
| 5 | Philadelphia Flyers | 75 | 21 |
| 6 | Seattle Kraken | 76 | 28 |
| 7 | Buffalo Sabres | 77 | 28 |
| 8 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 78 | 23 |
| 9 | Anaheim Ducks | 78 | 24 |
| 10 | New York Islanders | 80 | 27 |
| 11 | New York Rangers | 81 | 33 |
Rupert Hartwell 
Benedict Kingsley