The general week forward of the 2024-25 NHL industry cut-off date introduced new faces to contending groups around the league, achieving a crescendo on cut-off date day, with Mikko Rantanen traded to the Dallas Stars, Brad Marchand shipped to the Florida Panthers and the Colorado Avalanche loading up with two new facilities (Brock Nelson and Charlie Coyle).
And now, the race for the playoffs is formally on!
Editor’s Selections
2 Comparable
Within the East, the Atlantic Department seeds appear beautiful smartly set, and that is going for 2 of 3 Metro Department seeds as smartly; the New Jersey Devils, within the No. 3 spot, are coping with primary damage woes. They’re lately with out Jack Hughes, Dougie Hamilton and Jonas Siegenthaler.
However it is within the wild-card race the place issues get actually, smartly, wild. The Columbus Blue Jackets (68 issues in 62 video games) and Ottawa Senators (67 in 61) hang the ones positions heading into Saturday’s slate of video games. However 5 groups are inside 4 issues of the Sens, with round 20 video games left every.
There are six groups within the West that appear slightly safe of their playoff place — the highest 3 Central groups (at the side of the Minnesota Wild within the first wild-card spot), in addition to the Vegas Golden Knights and Edmonton Oilers within the Pacific. The Los Angeles Kings (71 issues in 60 video games) and Vancouver Canucks (69 in 62) have some paintings left to do to stave off the Calgary Flames (68 in 62), St. Louis Blues (68 in 64) and Utah Hockey Membership (66 in 63).
There’s a large number of runway left till the general day of the season on April 17, and we will permit you to stay monitor of all of it right here at the NHL playoff watch. As we traverse the general stretch, we will supply element on all of the playoff races — at the side of the groups jockeying for place within the 2025 NHL draft lottery.
Notice: Playoff chances are high that by means of Stathletes.
Soar forward:
Present playoff matchups
Saturday’s time table
Friday’s rankings
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick out
Present playoff matchups
Jap Convention
A1 Florida Panthers vs. WC1 Columbus Blue Jackets
A2 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. A3 Tampa Bay Lightning
M1 Washington Capitals vs. WC2 Ottawa Senators
M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 New Jersey Devils
Western Convention
C1 Winnipeg Jets vs. WC2 Vancouver Canucks
C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche
P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC1 Minnesota Wild
P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings
Saturday’s video games
Notice: All instances ET. All video games now not on TNT or NHL Community are to be had to movement on ESPN+ (native blackout restrictions practice).
Breaking Information from Emily Kaplan
Obtain the ESPN app and permit Emily Kaplan’s information signals to obtain push notifications for the most recent updates first. Decide in by way of tapping the signals bell within the best proper nook. For more info, click on right here.
New York Rangers at Ottawa Senators, 12:30 p.m.
Seattle Kraken at Philadelphia Flyers, 12:30 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)
Boston Bruins at Tampa Bay Lightning, 3 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)
Buffalo Sabres at Florida Panthers, 6 p.m.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Colorado Avalanche, 7 p.m. (NHLN)
Montreal Canadiens at Calgary Flames, 7 p.m.
Chicago Blackhawks at Nashville Predators, 8 p.m.
St. Louis Blues at Los Angeles Kings, 8 p.m.
Dallas Stars at Edmonton Oilers, 10 p.m.
New York Islanders at San Jose Sharks, 10 p.m.
Friday’s scoreboard
Winnipeg Jets 6, New Jersey Devils 1
Washington Capitals 5, Detroit Pink Wings 2
Chicago Blackhawks 4, Utah Hockey Membership 3 (OT)
Vancouver Canucks 3, Minnesota Wild 1
Vegas Golden Knights 4, Pittsburgh Penguins 0
St. Louis Blues 4, Anaheim Geese 3
Expanded standings
Atlantic Department
Issues: 81
Law wins: 33
Playoff place: A1
Video games left: 19
Issues tempo: 105.4
Subsequent recreation: vs. BUF (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Issues: 79
Law wins: 31
Playoff place: A2
Video games left: 20
Issues tempo: 104.5
Subsequent recreation: @ COL (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Issues: 78
Law wins: 32
Playoff place: A3
Video games left: 20
Issues tempo: 103.2
Subsequent recreation: vs. BOS (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Issues: 67
Law wins: 23
Playoff place: WC2
Video games left: 21
Issues tempo: 90.1
Subsequent recreation: vs. NYR (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 85.4%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Issues: 66
Law wins: 21
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 20
Issues tempo: 87.3
Subsequent recreation: @ CGY (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 19.8%
Tragic quantity: 40
Issues: 66
Law wins: 22
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 19
Issues tempo: 85.9
Subsequent recreation: @ OTT (Monday)
Playoff probabilities: 8.3%
Tragic quantity: 38
Issues: 64
Law wins: 21
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 18
Issues tempo: 82.0
Subsequent recreation: @ TB (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 2.5%
Tragic quantity: 34
Issues: 54
Law wins: 20
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 21
Issues tempo: 72.6
Subsequent recreation: @ FLA (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 0.1%
Tragic quantity: 30
Metro Department
Issues: 90
Law wins: 34
Playoff place: M1
Video games left: 19
Issues tempo: 117.1
Subsequent recreation: vs. SEA (Sunday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Issues: 78
Law wins: 32
Playoff place: M2
Video games left: 19
Issues tempo: 101.5
Subsequent recreation: vs. WPG (Sunday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Issues: 72
Law wins: 29
Playoff place: M3
Video games left: 18
Issues tempo: 92.3
Subsequent recreation: @ PHI (Sunday)
Playoff probabilities: 86.5%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Issues: 68
Law wins: 22
Playoff place: WC1
Video games left: 20
Issues tempo: 89.9
Subsequent recreation: @ NYR (Sunday)
Playoff probabilities: 27.1%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Issues: 67
Law wins: 29
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 20
Issues tempo: 88.6
Subsequent recreation: @ OTT (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 31.1%
Tragic quantity: 41
Issues: 63
Law wins: 22
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 21
Issues tempo: 84.7
Subsequent recreation: @ SJ (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 29.7%
Tragic quantity: 39
Issues: 62
Law wins: 17
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 19
Issues tempo: 80.7
Subsequent recreation: vs. SEA (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 9.5%
Tragic quantity: 34
Issues: 58
Law wins: 16
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 17
Issues tempo: 73.2
Subsequent recreation: @ MIN (Sunday)
Playoff probabilities: 0.1%
Tragic quantity: 26
Central Department
Issues: 92
Law wins: 36
Playoff place: C1
Video games left: 18
Issues tempo: 117.9
Subsequent recreation: @ CAR (Sunday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Issues: 84
Law wins: 34
Playoff place: C2
Video games left: 20
Issues tempo: 111.1
Subsequent recreation: @ EDM (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Issues: 76
Law wins: 32
Playoff place: C3
Video games left: 19
Issues tempo: 98.9
Subsequent recreation: vs. TOR (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.6%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Issues: 76
Law wins: 29
Playoff place: WC1
Video games left: 19
Issues tempo: 98.9
Subsequent recreation: vs. PIT (Sunday)
Playoff probabilities: 94.4%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Issues: 68
Law wins: 22
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 18
Issues tempo: 87.1
Subsequent recreation: @ LA (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 37.2%
Tragic quantity: 36
Issues: 66
Law wins: 20
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 19
Issues tempo: 85.9
Subsequent recreation: vs. TOR (Monday)
Playoff probabilities: 26.4%
Tragic quantity: 36
Issues: 53
Law wins: 20
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 20
Issues tempo: 70.1
Subsequent recreation: vs. CHI (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 0.1%
Tragic quantity: 25
Issues: 48
Law wins: 17
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 19
Issues tempo: 62.5
Subsequent recreation: @ NSH (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: ~0%
Tragic quantity: 18
Pacific Department
Issues: 82
Law wins: 35
Playoff place: P1
Video games left: 20
Issues tempo: 108.5
Subsequent recreation: vs. LA (Sunday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Issues: 76
Law wins: 26
Playoff place: P2
Video games left: 20
Issues tempo: 100.5
Subsequent recreation: vs. DAL (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.7%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Issues: 71
Law wins: 28
Playoff place: P3
Video games left: 22
Issues tempo: 97.0
Subsequent recreation: vs. STL (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 84.1%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Issues: 69
Law wins: 23
Playoff place: WC2
Video games left: 20
Issues tempo: 91.3
Subsequent recreation: vs. DAL (Sunday)
Playoff probabilities: 30.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Issues: 68
Law wins: 23
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 20
Issues tempo: 89.9
Subsequent recreation: vs. MTL (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 27.5%
Tragic quantity: 40
Issues: 61
Law wins: 19
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 20
Issues tempo: 80.7
Subsequent recreation: vs. NYI (Sunday)
Playoff probabilities: 0.1%
Tragic quantity: 33
Issues: 56
Law wins: 21
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 19
Issues tempo: 72.9
Subsequent recreation: @ PHI (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: ~0%
Tragic quantity: 26
Issues: 43
Law wins: 12
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 18
Issues tempo: 55.1
Subsequent recreation: vs. NYI (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: ~0%
Tragic quantity: 11
Race for the No. 1 pick out
Best tales of the week from
Get unique get entry to to hundreds of top class articles a 12 months from best writers.
• NHL industry cut-off date: Who is to be had? »
• Are Lakers’, Warriors’ runs sustainable? »
• 5 hyped up NFL loose brokers are …»
Extra ESPN+ content material »
The NHL makes use of a draft lottery to resolve the order of the primary spherical, so the workforce that finishes in closing position isn’t assured the No. 1 variety. As of 2021, a workforce can transfer up a most of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so handiest 11 groups are eligible for the draw for the No. 1 pick out. Complete main points at the procedure will also be discovered right here. Sitting No. 1 at the draft board for this summer time is Matthew Schaefer, a defenseman for the OHL’s Erie Otters.
Issues: 43
Law wins: 12
Issues: 48
Law wins: 17
Issues: 53
Law wins: 20
Issues: 54
Law wins: 20
Issues: 56
Law wins: 21
Issues: 58
Law wins: 16
Issues: 61
Law wins: 19
Issues: 62
Law wins: 17
Issues: 63
Law wins: 22
Issues: 64
Law wins: 21
Issues: 66
Law wins: 21
Issues: 66
Law wins: 20
Issues: 66
Law wins: 22
Issues: 67
Law wins: 29
Issues: 68
Law wins: 23
Issues: 68
Law wins: 22
