Following a weekend of NHL action, it`s an opportune moment to assess the leading contenders for the Stanley Cup. Sunday`s schedule features a notable matchup between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Vegas Golden Knights, both recent champions, highlighting the ongoing competition among top teams.
According to Stathletes, the Vegas Golden Knights are currently favored in the Western Conference with a 12.4% chance of winning the Cup. Closely following are the Colorado Avalanche at 12.3%. The Winnipeg Jets (5.8%) and Edmonton Oilers (5.4%) complete the top four in the West. Despite acquiring Mikko Rantanen, the Dallas Stars are positioned seventh among Western teams with a 3.1% probability.
In the Eastern Conference, the Carolina Hurricanes lead with a 15.3% chance, while the Tampa Bay Lightning are second at 12.6%. Other strong contenders in the East include the Washington Capitals (9.5%), Toronto Maple Leafs (5.5%), and Florida Panthers (5.0%).
With the regular season concluding on April 17, the NHL playoff landscape is still evolving. We will continue to monitor the playoff races and the teams` positions for the 2025 NHL draft lottery as the season progresses.
Current Playoff Matchups
Eastern Conference
- A1 Florida Panthers vs. WC1 Ottawa Senators
- A2 Toronto Maple Leafs 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 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings
Sunday`s Games
Note: All times are Eastern Time. Games may be streamed on ESPN+ where applicable.
- Philadelphia Flyers at Chicago Blackhawks, 3 p.m. (NHLN)
- Buffalo Sabres at Winnipeg Jets, 3 p.m.
- Pittsburgh Penguins at Florida Panthers, 6 p.m.
- Nashville Predators at St. Louis Blues, 6 p.m.
- Tampa Bay Lightning at Vegas Golden Knights, 8 p.m.
- Carolina Hurricanes at Anaheim Ducks, 8 p.m.
- Boston Bruins at Los Angeles Kings, 9 p.m.
Saturday`s Scoreboard
- New York Rangers 5, Vancouver Canucks 3
- Dallas Stars 3 Philadelphia Flyers 2 (OT)
- Minnesota Wild 4, Buffalo Sabres 1
- St. Louis Blues 4, Chicago Blackhawks 1
- Calgary Flames 4, New York Islanders 3 (OT)
- Los Angeles Kings 7, Carolina Hurricanes 2
- Washington Capitals 6, Florida Panthers 3
- Utah Hockey Club 6, Tampa Bay Lightning 4
- Colorado Avalanche 5, Montreal Canadiens 4 (SO)
- Ottawa Senators 3, New Jersey Devils 2
- Nashville Predators 5, Toronto Maple Leafs 2
- Vegas Golden Knights 6, Detroit Red Wings 3
- Edmonton Oilers 5, Seattle Kraken 4
- San Jose Sharks 3, Boston Bruins 1
Expanded Standings
Florida Panthers
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 12
Points pace: 101.9
Next game: vs. PIT (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Toronto Maple Leafs
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 12
Points pace: 101.9
Next game: vs. PHI (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tampa Bay Lightning
Points: 85
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 13
Points pace: 101.0
Next game: @ VGK (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Ottawa Senators
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 13
Points pace: 93.9
Next game: @ BUF (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 96.2%
Montreal Canadiens
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 13
Points pace: 89.1
Next game: @ STL (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 45.7%
Washington Capitals
Points: 102
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 12
Points pace: 119.5
Next game: @ WPG (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Carolina Hurricanes
Points: 88
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 13
Points pace: 104.6
Next game: @ ANA (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
New Jersey Devils
Points: 80
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 11
Points pace: 92.4
Next game: vs. VAN (Monday)
Playoff chances: 95.8%
Winnipeg Jets
Points: 100
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 12
Points pace: 117.1
Next game: vs. BUF (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Dallas Stars
Points: 92
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 13
Points pace: 109.3
Next game: vs. MIN (Monday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Colorado Avalanche
Points: 89
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 11
Points pace: 102.8
Next game: vs. DET (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Minnesota Wild
Points: 85
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 12
Points pace: 99.6
Next game: @ DAL (Monday)
Playoff chances: 93.5%
Vegas Golden Knights
Points: 90
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 13
Points pace: 107.0
Next game: vs. TB (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Edmonton Oilers
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 12
Points pace: 101.9
Next game: vs. DAL (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 99.6%
Los Angeles Kings
Points: 85
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 14
Points pace: 102.5
Next game: vs. BOS (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.6%
Race for the No. 1 Pick
The NHL draft lottery determines the first-round order, allowing teams outside the playoffs to compete for the top pick. Matthew Schaefer is currently projected as the No. 1 draft prospect.
1. San Jose Sharks
Points: 47
Regulation wins: 14
2. Chicago Blackhawks
Points: 49
Regulation wins: 17
3. Buffalo Sabres
Points: 60
Regulation wins: 21
4. Nashville Predators
Points: 60
Regulation wins: 22
5. Philadelphia Flyers
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 17
6. Seattle Kraken
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 24
7. Pittsburgh Penguins
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 20
8. Anaheim Ducks
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 22
9. Boston Bruins
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
10. Detroit Red Wings
Points: 70
Regulation wins: 24
11. Columbus Blue Jackets
Points: 71
Regulation wins: 23
Rupert Hartwell