The NHL is set for a crucial Saturday as the season enters its final week, just one week before the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs begin!
While 12 of the 16 playoff teams are already decided, the final seedings are still in play, including the battle for the Presidents` Trophy for the league`s top team and positioning in the draft lottery.
Today`s schedule features 11 games, each with significant stakes:
For this matchup, draft lottery implications are key. The Flyers are currently 5th in the draft order, while the Islanders are 10th.
Alex Ovechkin continues his pursuit of goal records. The Capitals, already East`s top seed, chase the Presidents` Trophy, while the Blue Jackets are looking at draft lottery positioning.
The Hurricanes are locked into second place in their division. The Rangers are on the edge of playoff contention and need a win to keep their slim hopes alive.
Both the Avalanche and Kings are playoff-bound and playing well. This game could be a potential Western Conference Finals preview.
The Sabres are out of playoff contention but looking to the future. The Panthers are chasing the Atlantic Division title.
The Canadiens are on the verge of clinching a playoff spot. The Maple Leafs are battling to secure the top seed in the Atlantic Division.
The Jets aim to solidify their position for the Presidents` Trophy and clinch their division against the Blackhawks, who are near the bottom of the standings and looking at the draft lottery.
Utah`s inaugural season saw them competitive until late in the season. The Stars are still in contention for the Central Division`s top seed.
The Wild are aiming to secure a Wild Card spot in the West. The Canucks, after a strong previous season, are out of playoff contention this year.
This game marks Jonathan Marchessault`s return to Vegas with a different team. The Golden Knights can clinch a division title with a win.
The Blues are holding onto a Wild Card spot in the West, while the Kraken are in the draft lottery conversation.
As the regular season concludes on April 17th, this playoff watch provides key updates on playoff races and draft lottery implications.
Note: Playoff probabilities are sourced from Stathletes.
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
Clinching Scenarios
The Montreal Canadiens will clinch a playoff berth if:
- They defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs in regulation
- They defeat the Maple Leafs in any fashion, and the Columbus Blue Jackets do not win against the Washington Capitals in regulation.
- They lose in overtime/shootout to the Maple Leafs and the Blue Jackets lose to the Capitals in any fashion.
The Minnesota Wild will clinch a playoff berth if they defeat the Vancouver Canucks in any fashion, AND the St. Louis Blues lose to the Seattle Kraken in regulation.
The Winnipeg Jets will clinch the Central Division title and the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference if:
- They win or lose in OT/SO to the Chicago Blackhawks
- The Dallas Stars-Utah Hockey Club game does not result in a Stars win in regulation.
The Vegas Golden Knights will clinch the Pacific Division title if:
- They defeat the Nashville Predators in regulation
- They defeat the Predators in OT/SO, AND the Los Angeles Kings-Colorado Avalanche game does not result in a Kings win in regulation.
- They lose in OT/SO, AND the Kings lose to the Avalanche in any fashion.
- The Kings lose to the Avalanche in regulation.
Saturday`s Games Schedule
Note: All times ET. Games not on TNT or NHL Network are available on ESPN+ (blackout restrictions apply).
New York Islanders at Philadelphia Flyers, 12:30 p.m. ET
Washington Capitals at Columbus Blue Jackets, 12:30 p.m. ET
New York Rangers at Carolina Hurricanes, 3 p.m. ET
Colorado Avalanche at Los Angeles Kings, 4 p.m. ET
Buffalo Sabres at Florida Panthers, 6 p.m. ET
Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m. ET
Winnipeg Jets at Chicago Blackhawks, 7 p.m. ET
Utah Hockey Club at Dallas Stars, 8 p.m. ET
Minnesota Wild at Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m. ET
Nashville Predators at Vegas Golden Knights, 10 p.m. ET
St. Louis Blues at Seattle Kraken, 10 p.m. ET
Friday`s Scoreboard
Ottawa Senators 5, Montreal Canadiens 2
Detroit Red Wings 4, Tampa Bay Lightning 3 (OT)
Pittsburgh Penguins 4, New Jersey Devils 2
Edmonton Oilers 4, San Jose Sharks 2
Calgary Flames 4, Minnesota Wild 2
Expanded Standings
Atlantic Division
x – Toronto Maple Leafs
Points: 100
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 4
Points pace: 105.1
Next game: vs. MTL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
x – Tampa Bay Lightning
Points: 98
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 3
Points pace: 101.7
Next game: vs. BUF (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 100%
x – Florida Panthers
Points: 96
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 3
Points pace: 99.7
Next game: vs. BUF (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
x – Ottawa Senators
Points: 92
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 3
Points pace: 95.5
Next game: vs. PHI (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Montreal Canadiens
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 3
Points pace: 90.3
Next game: @ TOR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 98.3%
Detroit Red Wings
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 84.1
Next game: vs. DAL (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0.4%
e – Buffalo Sabres
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 79.9
Next game: @ FLA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
e – Boston Bruins
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 74.8
Next game: @ PIT (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Metro Division
z – Washington Capitals
Points: 109
Regulation wins: 42
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 4
Points pace: 114.6
Next game: @ CBJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
x – Carolina Hurricanes
Points: 97
Regulation wins: 41
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 4
Points pace: 102.0
Next game: vs. NYR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
x – New Jersey Devils
Points: 89
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 3
Points pace: 92.4
Next game: vs. NYI (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Columbus Blue Jackets
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 85.2
Next game: vs. WSH (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0.4%
New York Rangers
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 84.1
Next game: @ CAR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
New York Islanders
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 83.1
Next game: @ PHI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0.9%
e – Pittsburgh Penguins
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 80.0
Next game: vs. BOS (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0%
e – Philadelphia Flyers
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 76.7
Next game: vs. NYI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Central Division
x – Winnipeg Jets
Points: 112
Regulation wins: 43
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 3
Points pace: 116.3
Next game: @ CHI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
x – Dallas Stars
Points: 106
Regulation wins: 41
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 3
Points pace: 110.0
Next game: vs. UTA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
x – Colorado Avalanche
Points: 100
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 2
Points pace: 102.5
Next game: @ LA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Minnesota Wild
Points: 93
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 2
Points pace: 95.3
Next game: @ VAN (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 97.9%
St. Louis Blues
Points: 93
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 2
Points pace: 95.3
Next game: @ SEA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 94.7%
e – Utah Hockey Club
Points: 85
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 88.2
Next game: @ DAL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
e – Nashville Predators
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 68.5
Next game: @ VGK (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
e – Chicago Blackhawks
Points: 56
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 58.1
Next game: vs. WPG (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Pacific Division
x – Vegas Golden Knights
Points: 105
Regulation wins: 44
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 3
Points pace: 109.0
Next game: vs. NSH (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
x – Los Angeles Kings
Points: 99
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 4
Points pace: 104.1
Next game: vs. COL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Edmonton Oilers
Points: 97
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 3
Points pace: 100.7
Next game: @ WPG (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Calgary Flames
Points: 90
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 93.4
Next game: vs. SJ (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 7.5%
e – Vancouver Canucks
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 90.3
Next game: vs. MIN (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
e – Anaheim Ducks
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 81.0
Next game: vs. COL (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0%
e – Seattle Kraken
Points: 74
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 75.9
Next game: vs. STL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
e – San Jose Sharks
Points: 51
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 52.9
Next game: @ CGY (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Note: `z` – conference top record, `y` – division title, `x` – playoff berth, `e` – eliminated.
Race for the No. 1 Pick
The NHL Draft Lottery determines the first round order. Last place doesn`t guarantee No. 1 pick. Lottery limits movement to 10 spots up. Matthew Schaefer is currently top prospect.
1. San Jose Sharks
Points: 51
Regulation wins: 14
2. Chicago Blackhawks
Points: 56
Regulation wins: 20
3. Nashville Predators
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 23
4. Boston Bruins
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 25
5. Philadelphia Flyers
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 21
6. Seattle Kraken
Points: 74
Regulation wins: 28
7. Buffalo Sabres
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 28
8. Pittsburgh Penguins
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 23
9. Anaheim Ducks
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 24
10. New York Islanders
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 27
11. Detroit Red Wings
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 29
12. New York Rangers
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 33
13. Columbus Blue Jackets
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 26
14. Utah Hockey Club
Points: 85
Regulation wins: 28
15. Vancouver Canucks
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 28
16. Calgary Flames
Points: 90
Regulation wins: 29
Rupert Hartwell 
Benedict Kingsley