At the beginning of the 2024-25 NHL season, many anticipated the Detroit Red Wings, a team with a rich history in the league, would return to the playoffs.
While they are still mathematically in contention with less than two weeks remaining, their playoff hopes are fading with each passing day.
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
Friday`s Games
Note: All times Eastern Time. Games not on TNT or NHL Network are available on ESPN+ (local blackouts apply).
- Carolina Hurricanes at Detroit Red Wings, 7 p.m.
- Chicago Blackhawks at Washington Capitals, 7 p.m. (ESPN+/Hulu/NHLN)
- Minnesota Wild at New York Islanders, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday`s Scoreboard
Montreal Canadiens 4, Boston Bruins 1
Ottawa Senators 2, Tampa Bay Lightning 1
Colorado Avalanche 7, Columbus Blue Jackets 3
St. Louis Blues 5, Pittsburgh Penguins 4 (OT)
Dallas Stars 5, Nashville Predators 1
Los Angeles Kings 4, Utah Hockey Club 2
Calgary Flames 4, Anaheim Ducks 1
Winnipeg Jets 4, Vegas Golden Knights 0
Edmonton Oilers 3, San Jose Sharks 2
Expanded Standings
Atlantic Division
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Toronto Maple Leafs
- Points: 96
- Regulation wins: 38
- Playoff position: A1
- Games left: 7
- Points pace: 105.0
- Next game: vs. CBJ (Saturday)
- Playoff chances: 100%
- Tragic number: N/A
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Tampa Bay Lightning
- Points: 93
- Regulation wins: 38
- Playoff position: A2
- Games left: 7
- Points pace: 101.7
- Next game: @ BUF (Saturday)
- Playoff chances: 99.9%
- Tragic number: N/A
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Florida Panthers
- Points: 92
- Regulation wins: 35
- Playoff position: A3
- Games left: 7
- Points pace: 100.6
- Next game: @ OTT (Saturday)
- Playoff chances: 99.9%
- Tragic number: N/A
-
Ottawa Senators
- Points: 86
- Regulation wins: 31
- Playoff position: WC1
- Games left: 7
- Points pace: 94.0
- Next game: vs. FLA (Saturday)
- Playoff chances: 98.5%
- Tragic number: N/A
-
Montreal Canadiens
- Points: 81
- Regulation wins: 26
- Playoff position: WC2
- Games left: 7
- Points pace: 88.6
- Next game: vs. PHI (Saturday)
- Playoff chances: 42.1%
- Tragic number: N/A
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Detroit Red Wings
- Points: 75
- Regulation wins: 26
- Playoff position: N/A
- Games left: 8
- Points pace: 83.1
- Next game: vs. CAR (Friday)
- Playoff chances: 2.7%
- Tragic number: 11
-
Buffalo Sabres
- Points: 70
- Regulation wins: 26
- Playoff position: N/A
- Games left: 8
- Points pace: 77.6
- Next game: vs. TB (Saturday)
- Playoff chances: 0.1%
- Tragic number: 6
-
Boston Bruins
- Points: 69
- Regulation wins: 23
- Playoff position: N/A
- Games left: 6
- Points pace: 74.4
- Next game: vs. CAR (Saturday)
- Playoff chances: ~0%
- Tragic number: 1
Metro Division
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Washington Capitals
- Points: 105
- Regulation wins: 41
- Playoff position: M1
- Games left: 7
- Points pace: 114.8
- Next game: vs. CHI (Friday)
- Playoff chances: 100%
- Tragic number: N/A
-
Carolina Hurricanes
- Points: 96
- Regulation wins: 41
- Playoff position: M2
- Games left: 8
- Points pace: 106.4
- Next game: @ DET (Friday)
- Playoff chances: 100%
- Tragic number: N/A
-
New Jersey Devils
- Points: 87
- Regulation wins: 35
- Playoff position: M3
- Games left: 6
- Points pace: 93.9
- Next game: vs. NYR (Saturday)
- Playoff chances: 99.7%
- Tragic number: N/A
-
New York Rangers
- Points: 79
- Regulation wins: 32
- Playoff position: N/A
- Games left: 7
- Points pace: 86.4
- Next game: @ NJ (Saturday)
- Playoff chances: 26.8%
- Tragic number: 13
-
Columbus Blue Jackets
- Points: 77
- Regulation wins: 24
- Playoff position: N/A
- Games left: 8
- Points pace: 85.3
- Next game: @ TOR (Saturday)
- Playoff chances: 27.4%
- Tragic number: 13
-
New York Islanders
- Points: 74
- Regulation wins: 25
- Playoff position: N/A
- Games left: 8
- Points pace: 82.0
- Next game: vs. MIN (Friday)
- Playoff chances: 2.8%
- Tragic number: 10
-
Pittsburgh Penguins
- Points: 72
- Regulation wins: 20
- Playoff position: N/A
- Games left: 6
- Points pace: 77.7
- Next game: @ DAL (Saturday)
- Playoff chances: 0.1%
- Tragic number: 4
-
Philadelphia Flyers
- Points: 71
- Regulation wins: 20
- Playoff position: N/A
- Games left: 6
- Points pace: 76.6
- Next game: @ MTL (Saturday)
- Playoff chances: ~0%
- Tragic number: 3
Central Division
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Winnipeg Jets
- Points: 108
- Regulation wins: 41
- Playoff position: C1
- Games left: 6
- Points pace: 116.5
- Next game: @ UTA (Saturday)
- Playoff chances: 100%
- Tragic number: N/A
-
Dallas Stars
- Points: 104
- Regulation wins: 41
- Playoff position: C2
- Games left: 7
- Points pace: 113.7
- Next game: vs. PIT (Saturday)
- Playoff chances: 100%
- Tragic number: N/A
-
Colorado Avalanche
- Points: 98
- Regulation wins: 39
- Playoff position: C3
- Games left: 5
- Points pace: 104.4
- Next game: @ STL (Saturday)
- Playoff chances: 100%
- Tragic number: N/A
-
St. Louis Blues
- Points: 91
- Regulation wins: 30
- Playoff position: WC1
- Games left: 5
- Points pace: 96.9
- Next game: vs. COL (Saturday)
- Playoff chances: 97.8%
- Tragic number: N/A
-
Minnesota Wild
- Points: 89
- Regulation wins: 33
- Playoff position: WC2
- Games left: 6
- Points pace: 96.0
- Next game: @ NYI (Friday)
- Playoff chances: 94.8%
- Tragic number: N/A
-
Utah Hockey Club
- Points: 80
- Regulation wins: 26
- Playoff position: N/A
- Games left: 6
- Points pace: 86.3
- Next game: vs. WPG (Saturday)
- Playoff chances: 0.7%
- Tragic number: 4
-
Nashville Predators
- Points: 62
- Regulation wins: 23
- Playoff position: N/A
- Games left: 6
- Points pace: 66.9
- Next game: vs. MTL (Sunday)
- Playoff chances: 0%
- Tragic number: E
-
Chicago Blackhawks
- Points: 52
- Regulation wins: 18
- Playoff position: N/A
- Games left: 7
- Points pace: 56.9
- Next game: @ WSH (Friday)
- Playoff chances: 0%
- Tragic number: E
Pacific Division
-
Vegas Golden Knights
- Points: 98
- Regulation wins: 42
- Playoff position: P1
- Games left: 7
- Points pace: 107.2
- Next game: @ CGY (Saturday)
- Playoff chances: 100%
- Tragic number: N/A
-
Los Angeles Kings
- Points: 95
- Regulation wins: 38
- Playoff position: P3
- Games left: 7
- Points pace: 103.9
- Next game: vs. EDM (Saturday)
- Playoff chances: 99.9%
- Tragic number: N/A
-
Edmonton Oilers
- Points: 93
- Regulation wins: 32
- Playoff position: P2
- Games left: 7
- Points pace: 101.7
- Next game: @ LA (Saturday)
- Playoff chances: 99.9%
- Tragic number: N/A
-
Calgary Flames
- Points: 84
- Regulation wins: 27
- Playoff position: N/A
- Games left: 7
- Points pace: 91.8
- Next game: vs. VGK (Saturday)
- Playoff chances: 5.9%
- Tragic number: 10
-
Vancouver Canucks
- Points: 81
- Regulation wins: 26
- Playoff position: N/A
- Games left: 7
- Points pace: 88.6
- Next game: vs. ANA (Saturday)
- Playoff chances: 0.8%
- Tragic number: 7
-
Anaheim Ducks
- Points: 74
- Regulation wins: 23
- Playoff position: N/A
- Games left: 7
- Points pace: 80.9
- Next game: @ ANA (Saturday)
- Playoff chances: 0%
- Tragic number: E
-
Seattle Kraken
- Points: 70
- Regulation wins: 26
- Playoff position: N/A
- Games left: 6
- Points pace: 75.5
- Next game: @ SJ (Saturday)
- Playoff chances: 0%
- Tragic number: E
-
San Jose Sharks
- Points: 50
- Regulation wins: 14
- Playoff position: N/A
- Games left: 7
- Points pace: 54.7
- Next game: vs. SEA (Saturday)
- Playoff chances: 0%
- Tragic number: E
Note: An `x` means clinched playoff berth. `e` means eliminated from contention.
Race for the No. 1 Pick
The NHL Draft Lottery determines the first-round order. Last place doesn`t guarantee the top pick. Teams can move up 10 spots max in the lottery, limiting No. 1 pick eligibility to 11 teams. Matthew Schaefer (OHL`s Erie Otters defenseman) is currently top-ranked.
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1. San Jose Sharks
- Points: 50
- Regulation Wins: 14
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2. Chicago Blackhawks
- Points: 52
- Regulation Wins: 18
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3. Nashville Predators
- Points: 62
- Regulation Wins: 23
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4. Boston Bruins
- Points: 69
- Regulation Wins: 23
-
5. Seattle Kraken
- Points: 70
- Regulation Wins: 26
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6. Buffalo Sabres
- Points: 70
- Regulation Wins: 26
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7. Philadelphia Flyers
- Points: 71
- Regulation Wins: 20
-
8. Pittsburgh Penguins
- Points: 72
- Regulation Wins: 20
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9. Anaheim Ducks
- Points: 74
- Regulation Wins: 23
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10. New York Islanders
- Points: 74
- Regulation Wins: 25
-
11. Detroit Red Wings
- Points: 75
- Regulation Wins: 26
-
12. Columbus Blue Jackets
- Points: 77
- Regulation Wins: 24
-
13. New York Rangers
- Points: 79
- Regulation Wins: 32
-
14. Utah Hockey Club
- Points: 80
- Regulation Wins: 26
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15. Vancouver Canucks
- Points: 81
- Regulation Wins: 26
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16. Calgary Flames
- Points: 84
- Regulation Wins: 27
Friday night presents a crucial home game for the Red Wings against the Carolina Hurricanes (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+). This game is an opportunity to close the gap with the Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers, who are battling for the final wild card spot.
Currently, Detroit has 75 points, six points behind the Canadiens and tied with Montreal in regulation wins (26).
The schedule ahead is challenging for the Red Wings, featuring only games against playoff-contending teams: Florida Panthers (twice), Canadiens, Tampa Bay Lightning, Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils, and Toronto Maple Leafs. While some playoff-bound teams might relax, this is a tough stretch for a team trying to break into the playoffs.
A win on Friday would be a significant emotional boost for the Red Wings` playoff aspirations. Can they achieve it?
With the regular season concluding on April 17th, we`re providing ongoing NHL playoff coverage. We`ll keep you updated on playoff races and the 2025 NHL draft lottery positioning.
Note: Playoff chances are sourced from Stathletes.
Rupert Hartwell