Sunday NHL Games to Watch for Playoff Spots

Saturday`s NHL action saw the Tampa Bay Lightning and Los Angeles Kings secure playoff spots, while the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers were eliminated from contention.

Sunday features fewer games, but most have significant playoff implications:

• The New York Islanders face the Washington Capitals in a critical game for the Islanders` wild-card hopes. They are currently seven points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the final spot. The Canadiens play the Nashville Predators.
• In the West, the Minnesota Wild, currently holding the last wild-card spot, host the Dallas Stars. Minnesota is ahead of the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks. Dallas is chasing the Winnipeg Jets for the top seed in the West.
• A key game also features the Columbus Blue Jackets at the Ottawa Senators. Both teams are looking to close the gap for a wild-card spot. The Florida Panthers, another team in the mix, play the Detroit Red Wings, who are also trying to catch the Canadiens.

For teams focused on the draft lottery, the Boston Bruins play the Buffalo Sabres, and the Pittsburgh Penguins visit the Chicago Blackhawks.

With the regular season ending on April 17th, the focus intensifies on playoff races and draft lottery positioning.

Playoff probabilities are provided by Stathletes.

Current Playoff Matchups

Eastern Conference

• Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators (WC1)
• Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers
• Washington Capitals vs. Montreal Canadiens (WC2)
• Carolina Hurricanes vs. New Jersey Devils

Western Conference

• Winnipeg Jets vs. Minnesota Wild (WC2)
• Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche
• Vegas Golden Knights vs. St. Louis Blues (WC1)
• Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers

Sunday`s Games

All times Eastern. Games not on TNT or NHL Network are available on ESPN+ (blackouts apply).

• Washington Capitals at New York Islanders, 12:30 PM (TNT)
• Dallas Stars at Minnesota Wild, 3:00 PM (TNT)
• Columbus Blue Jackets at Ottawa Senators, 5:00 PM
• Florida Panthers at Detroit Red Wings, 5:30 PM (TNT)
• Boston Bruins at Buffalo Sabres, 6:00 PM
• Pittsburgh Penguins at Chicago Blackhawks, 6:00 PM
• Montreal Canadiens at Nashville Predators, 7:00 PM
• Vegas Golden Knights at Vancouver Canucks, 10:00 PM

Saturday`s Scores

• New Jersey Devils 4, New York Rangers 0
• Ottawa Senators 3, Florida Panthers 0
• Pittsburgh Penguins 5, Dallas Stars 3
• Vancouver Canucks 6, Anaheim Ducks 2
• Los Angeles Kings 3, Edmonton Oilers 0
• Boston Bruins 5, Carolina Hurricanes 1
• Buffalo Sabres 3, Tampa Bay Lightning 2 (SO)
• Toronto Maple Leafs 5, Columbus Blue Jackets 0
• Montreal Canadiens 3, Philadelphia Flyers 2
• St. Louis Blues 5, Colorado Avalanche 4
• Utah Hockey Club 4, Winnipeg Jets 1
• Vegas Golden Knights 3, Calgary Flames 2 (OT)
• Seattle Kraken 5, San Jose Sharks 1

Expanded Standings

Atlantic Division

Metro Division

Central Division

Pacific Division

Note: `x` – clinched playoff berth, `e` – eliminated from playoff contention.

Race for the No. 1 Pick

The NHL Draft Lottery determines the first-round order. A team can move up a maximum of 10 spots. Matthew Schaefer is currently projected as the No. 1 draft pick.

1. San Jose Sharks (50 points, 14 regulation wins)
2. Chicago Blackhawks (52 points, 18 regulation wins)
3. Nashville Predators (62 points, 23 regulation wins)
4. Philadelphia Flyers (71 points, 20 regulation wins)
5. Boston Bruins (71 points, 24 regulation wins)
6. Seattle Kraken (72 points, 27 regulation wins)
7. Buffalo Sabres (72 points, 26 regulation wins)
8. Pittsburgh Penguins (74 points, 21 regulation wins)
9. Anaheim Ducks (74 points, 23 regulation wins)
10. New York Islanders (76 points, 26 regulation wins)
11. Columbus Blue Jackets (77 points, 24 regulation wins)
12. Detroit Red Wings (77 points, 27 regulation wins)
13. New York Rangers (79 points, 32 regulation wins)
14. Utah Hockey Club (82 points, 27 regulation wins)
15. Vancouver Canucks (83 points, 27 regulation wins)
16. Calgary Flames (85 points, 27 regulation wins)