The Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues secured the Western Conference wild-card spots on Tuesday, eliminating the Calgary Flames from playoff contention.
In the Eastern Conference, the Columbus Blue Jackets` victory against the Philadelphia Flyers keeps their playoff hopes alive. Will Wednesday finalize the 16-team playoff lineup, or will the final spots be decided on Thursday?
Key Games to Watch on Wednesday
Carolina Hurricanes at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m. ET
This is the most critical game of the night. A Canadiens win of any kind, or even an overtime/shootout loss, will clinch the second Eastern wild-card spot for Montreal. For the Blue Jackets to stay in contention, Montreal needs to lose in regulation. It remains to be seen how the Hurricanes will approach this game, as they have already secured the No. 2 spot in the Metro Division.
Anaheim Ducks at Winnipeg Jets, 7 p.m. ET
The Anaheim Ducks are guaranteed to finish no lower than ninth in the draft lottery. However, if they lose this game and the Penguins and Sabres win on Thursday, the Ducks could potentially move up to seventh in the draft order. The Winnipeg Jets recently secured the Presidents` Trophy as the league`s top regular-season team and the No. 1 playoff seed.
Detroit Red Wings at New Jersey Devils, 7:30 p.m. ET
The Detroit Red Wings are currently positioned 12th in the draft lottery order. They could climb to 10th if the Islanders win on Thursday and the Red Wings lose their next two games. The New Jersey Devils, like the Hurricanes, have already locked in their playoff spot and are set to face Carolina in the first round.
Dallas Stars at Nashville Predators, 8 p.m. ET
These two Central Division teams are at opposite ends of the standings, and this game will not affect their playoff positioning. The Dallas Stars will be the No. 2 seed in the Central and will play against the No. 3 Colorado Avalanche in the first round. The Nashville Predators are locked into the No. 3 spot in the draft lottery order.
Vegas Golden Knights at Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m. ET
This Pacific Division matchup will not alter the standings. The Vegas Golden Knights have already clinched the No. 1 seed in the Pacific, and the Vancouver Canucks are set as the No. 15 team in the draft lottery order.
Edmonton Oilers at San Jose Sharks, 10:30 p.m. ET
Another Pacific Division game where both teams` positions are already determined. The San Jose Sharks have secured the No. 1 spot in the draft lottery, and the Edmonton Oilers will be the No. 3 seed in the Pacific, facing the No. 2 Los Angeles Kings in the first round.
Current Playoff Matchups
Eastern Conference
A1 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. WC1 Ottawa Senators
A2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. A3 Florida Panthers
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 Schedule
Carolina Hurricanes at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m. ET
Anaheim Ducks at Winnipeg Jets, 7 p.m. ET
Detroit Red Wings at New Jersey Devils, 7:30 p.m. ET
Dallas Stars at Nashville Predators, 8 p.m. ET
Vegas Golden Knights at Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m. ET
Edmonton Oilers at San Jose Sharks, 10:30 p.m. ET
Tuesday`s Scoreboard
New Jersey Devils 5, Boston Bruins 4 (OT)
Toronto Maple Leafs 4, Buffalo Sabres 0
Chicago Blackhawks 4, Ottawa Senators 3 (OT)
Columbus Blue Jackets 3, Philadelphia Flyers 0
Tampa Bay Lightning 5, Florida Panthers 1
Washington Capitals 3, New York Islanders 1
St. Louis Blues 6, Utah Hockey Club 1
Minnesota Wild 3, Anaheim Ducks 2 (OT)
Calgary Flames 5, Vegas Golden Knights 4 (SO)
Los Angeles Kings 6, Seattle Kraken 5
NHL Standings
Atlantic Division
y – Toronto Maple Leafs
Points: 106
x – Tampa Bay Lightning
Points: 102
x – Florida Panthers
Points: 98
x – Ottawa Senators
Points: 95
Montreal Canadiens
Points: 89
e – Detroit Red Wings
Points: 83
e – Buffalo Sabres
Points: 77
e – Boston Bruins
Points: 76
Metro Division
z – Washington Capitals
Points: 111
x – Carolina Hurricanes
Points: 99
x – New Jersey Devils
Points: 91
Columbus Blue Jackets
Points: 87
e – New York Rangers
Points: 83
e – New York Islanders
Points: 82
e – Pittsburgh Penguins
Points: 78
e – Philadelphia Flyers
Points: 76
Central Division
p – Winnipeg Jets
Points: 114
x – Dallas Stars
Points: 106
x – Colorado Avalanche
Points: 102
x – Minnesota Wild
Points: 97
x – St. Louis Blues
Points: 96
e – Utah Hockey Club
Points: 89
e – Nashville Predators
Points: 66
e – Chicago Blackhawks
Points: 61
Pacific Division
y – Vegas Golden Knights
Points: 108
x – Los Angeles Kings
Points: 105
x – Edmonton Oilers
Points: 99
e – Calgary Flames
Points: 94
e – Vancouver Canucks
Points: 90
e – Anaheim Ducks
Points: 79
e – Seattle Kraken
Points: 76
e – San Jose Sharks
Points: 52
Race for the No. 1 Pick
The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the first round order. Matthew Schaefer is projected as the No. 1 pick.
1. San Jose Sharks
Points: 52
2. Chicago Blackhawks
Points: 61
3. Nashville Predators
Points: 66
4. Boston Bruins
Points: 76
5. Seattle Kraken
Points: 76
6. Philadelphia Flyers
Points: 76
7. Buffalo Sabres
Points: 77
8. Pittsburgh Penguins
Points: 78
9. Anaheim Ducks
Points: 79
10. New York Islanders
Points: 82
11. New York Rangers
Points: 83
12. Detroit Red Wings
Points: 83
13. Columbus Blue Jackets
Points: 87
14. Utah Hockey Club
Points: 89
15. Vancouver Canucks
Points: 90
16. Calgary Flames
Points: 94
Rupert Hartwell