After clinching the Pacific Division title last season, the Vancouver Canucks are facing an uphill battle to reach the playoffs this year. Their season has been marked by challenges, including a significant trade that saw J.T. Miller move to the New York Rangers in January due to internal team issues. Despite this roster change, the Canucks are now in a precarious position, needing favorable outcomes to secure a playoff berth.
Their journey continues on Monday night as they face the New Jersey Devils. As the game begins, Vancouver trails the St. Louis Blues by five points and two regulation wins, while holding one game in hand. Every point from this point forward is crucial for their playoff aspirations.
A recent defeat to the Blues further complicated the Canucks` situation. Adding to their challenge is the Blues` relatively easier remaining schedule, which includes games against teams like the Predators, Penguins, and Kraken. St. Louis is set to play five of their final ten games against current playoff teams, whereas Vancouver will face playoff contenders in six of their last eleven games, along with matches against the New York Islanders and Columbus Blue Jackets, who are also vying for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Statistical models currently favor St. Louis, giving them a 61.8% probability of making the playoffs, significantly higher than Vancouver`s 11.0% chance.
With the regular season concluding on April 17th, the upcoming weeks are critical. We will continue to provide updates on the NHL playoff race, detailing the battles for playoff spots and the competition for positioning in the 2025 NHL draft lottery.
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 Los Angeles Kings vs. P3 Edmonton Oilers
Monday`s Games
Note: All times Eastern Time. Games not on national networks may be streamed on ESPN+ (blackout restrictions apply).
- Vancouver Canucks at New Jersey Devils, 7:30 PM
- Columbus Blue Jackets at New York Islanders, 7:30 PM
- Minnesota Wild at Dallas Stars, 8:00 PM
- Detroit Red Wings at Utah Hockey Club, 9:00 PM
Sunday`s Scoreboard
- Chicago Blackhawks 7, Philadelphia Flyers 4
- Buffalo Sabres 5, Winnipeg Jets 3
- Florida Panthers 4, Pittsburgh Penguins 3 (SO)
- St. Louis Blues 4, Nashville Predators 1
- Vegas Golden Knights 4, Tampa Bay Lightning 2
- Carolina Hurricanes 5, Anaheim Ducks 2
- Los Angeles Kings 7, Boston Bruins 2
Expanded Standings
Atlantic Division
Florida Panthers
Points: 89
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 11
Points pace: 102.8
Next game: vs. UTA (Friday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
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%
Tragic number: N/A
Tampa Bay Lightning
Points: 85
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 12
Points pace: 99.6
Next game: vs. PIT (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Ottawa Senators
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 13
Points pace: 93.9
Next game: @ BUF (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 98.3%
Tragic number: N/A
Montreal Canadiens
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 13
Points pace: 89.1
Next game: @ STL (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 49.6%
Tragic number: N/A
Detroit Red Wings
Points: 70
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 83.2
Next game: @ UTA (Monday)
Playoff chances: 2.8%
Tragic number: 22
Boston Bruins
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 78.6
Next game: @ ANA (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 0.4%
Tragic number: 15
Buffalo Sabres
Points: 62
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 73.7
Next game: vs. OTT (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 14
Metro Division
x – Washington Capitals
Points: 102
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 12
Points pace: 119.5
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Carolina Hurricanes
Points: 90
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 12
Points pace: 105.4
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
New Jersey Devils
Points: 80
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 11
Points pace: 92.4
Playoff chances: 94.5%
Tragic number: N/A
New York Rangers
Points: 74
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 85.5
Playoff chances: 17.3%
Tragic number: 22
New York Islanders
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 86.8
Playoff chances: 27.7%
Tragic number: 25
Columbus Blue Jackets
Points: 71
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 84.4
Playoff chances: 9.3%
Tragic number: 23
Pittsburgh Penguins
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 78.6
Playoff chances: 0.2%
Tragic number: 15
Philadelphia Flyers
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 74.0
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 11
Central Division
Winnipeg Jets
Points: 100
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 11
Points pace: 115.5
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Dallas Stars
Points: 92
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 13
Points pace: 109.3
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Colorado Avalanche
Points: 89
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 11
Points pace: 102.8
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Minnesota Wild
Points: 85
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 12
Points pace: 99.6
Playoff chances: 97%
Tragic number: N/A
St. Louis Blues
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 10
Points pace: 92.3
Playoff chances: 61.8%
Tragic number: N/A
Utah Hockey Club
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 87.9
Playoff chances: 17.6%
Tragic number: 19
Nashville Predators
Points: 60
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 70.3
Next game: @ CAR (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 4
e – Chicago Blackhawks
Points: 51
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 58.9
Next game: vs. NJ (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Pacific Division
Vegas Golden Knights
Points: 92
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 12
Points pace: 107.8
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Los Angeles Kings
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 13
Points pace: 103.4
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Edmonton Oilers
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 12
Points pace: 101.9
Playoff chances: 99.6%
Tragic number: N/A
Calgary Flames
Points: 77
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 91.5
Playoff chances: 13%
Tragic number: 23
Vancouver Canucks
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 89.0
Next game: @ NJ (Monday)
Playoff chances: 11%
Tragic number: 20
Anaheim Ducks
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 79.7
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 12
Seattle Kraken
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 75.1
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 7
e – San Jose Sharks
Points: 47
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 55.1
Next game: vs. TOR (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Note: An `x` indicates a clinched playoff berth. An `e` indicates playoff elimination.
Race for the No. 1 Pick
The NHL draft lottery determines the first-round order, meaning the last-place team isn`t guaranteed the top pick. A team can move up a maximum of 10 spots in the lottery, making only 11 teams eligible for the No. 1 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: 51
Regulation wins: 18
3. Nashville Predators
Points: 60
Regulation wins: 22
4. Buffalo Sabres
Points: 62
Regulation wins: 22
5. Philadelphia Flyers
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 17
6. Seattle Kraken
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 24
7. Anaheim Ducks
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 22
8. Pittsburgh Penguins
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 20
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
12. New York Islanders
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 25
13. New York Rangers
Points: 74
Regulation wins: 31
14. Utah Hockey Club
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 24
15. Vancouver Canucks
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 25
16. Calgary Flames
Points: 77
Regulation wins: 26
Benedict Kingsley