The Washington Capitals have formally punched their price tag to the postseason dance already, and the Winnipeg Jets are smartly on their solution to doing in order smartly (a win over the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday would have performed it, however that used to be no longer within the playing cards it appears).
The ones two groups meet on Tuesday evening (8 p.m. ET, ESPN+), and may just meet once more in the event that they make the Stanley Cup Ultimate. As of now, every is poised to stand the second one wild-card group of their respective convention — would possibly they like one of the crucial bubble groups over the others?
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In Winnipeg’s case, the group these days in the second one wild-card spot is the St. Louis Blues. The Jets have long gone 2-1 towards the Blues this season, with one of the crucial wins coming by way of shootout, and they are going to face off once more on Apr. 7. If the Calgary Flames slide into that spot for an old-school Smythe Department showdown, the Jets additionally went 2-1 towards them this season (even though the ultimate recreation used to be again on Jan. 26).
The Utah Hockey Membership may just make a push into that spot, and — you guessed it — the Jets have long gone 2-1 towards the NHL’s latest group. The overall group with a professional shot on the West’s ultimate spot is the Vancouver Canucks, towards whom the Jets have long gone 1-1, with their ultimate matchup this Saturday.
The Caps’ first-round opponent at the present time is the Montreal Canadiens; Washington received two of 3 towards Montreal, with the loss coming in OT. If the New York Rangers slide in because the opponent, the Caps will hope to avenge their sweep in ultimate yr’s playoffs, and seem most likely to take action in accordance with regular-season effects; they received every of the 3 matchups towards the Blueshirts. Washington received its best matchup towards the New York Islanders this season, with two video games last.
The Capitals have additionally had good fortune towards the Columbus Blue Jackets (two wins in two video games to this point, with two last in April) and Detroit Crimson Wings (two wins this month after a loss on Dec. 29).
So even if the trail gets harder because the playoff event wears on, apparently that each the Caps and Jets are in excellent form — on paper, a minimum of — heading into the hole around.
There may be not up to a month left till April 17, the general day of the steady season, and we will can help you monitor all of it with the NHL playoff watch. As we traverse the general stretch, we will supply main points on all of the playoff races, in conjunction with the groups jockeying for place within the 2025 NHL draft lottery.
Observe: Playoff likelihood is that by way of Stathletes.
Soar forward:
Present playoff matchups
Clinching situations
These days’s agenda
The day prior to this’s ratings
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick out
Present playoff matchups
Japanese Convention
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 Convention
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 situations
The Winnipeg Jets will clinch a playoff berth if both:
Tuesday’s video games
Observe: All occasions ET. All video games no longer on TNT or NHL Community are to be had to flow on ESPN+ (native blackout restrictions observe).
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Ottawa Senators at Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m.
Philadelphia Flyers at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m.
Pittsburgh Penguins at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7 p.m.
Nashville Predators at Carolina Hurricanes, 7 p.m.
Montreal Canadiens at St. Louis Blues, 8 p.m.
Vegas Golden Knights at Minnesota Wild, 8 p.m.
Washington Capitals at Winnipeg Jets, 8 p.m.
Detroit Crimson Wings at Colorado Avalanche, 9 p.m.
Seattle Kraken at Calgary Flames, 9 p.m.
New York Rangers at Los Angeles Kings, 10:30 p.m.
Monday’s scoreboard
Vancouver Canucks 4, New Jersey Devils 3 (SO)
Columbus Blue Jackets 4, New York Islanders 3 (SO)
Dallas Stars 3, Minnesota Wild 0
Detroit Crimson Wings 5, Utah Hockey Membership 1
Expanded standings
Atlantic Department
Issues: 89
Law wins: 35
Playoff place: A1
Video games left: 11
Issues tempo: 102.8
Subsequent recreation: vs. UTA (Friday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Issues: 87
Law wins: 34
Playoff place: A2
Video games left: 12
Issues tempo: 101.9
Subsequent recreation: vs. PHI (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Issues: 85
Law wins: 34
Playoff place: A3
Video games left: 12
Issues tempo: 99.6
Subsequent recreation: vs. PIT (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Issues: 79
Law wins: 28
Playoff place: WC1
Video games left: 13
Issues tempo: 93.9
Subsequent recreation: @ BUF (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 98.2%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Issues: 75
Law wins: 24
Playoff place: WC2
Video games left: 13
Issues tempo: 89.1
Subsequent recreation: @ STL (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 48.8%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Issues: 72
Law wins: 25
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 12
Issues tempo: 84.3
Subsequent recreation: @ COL (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 3.0%
Tragic quantity: 22
Issues: 69
Law wins: 23
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 10
Issues tempo: 78.6
Subsequent recreation: @ ANA (Wednesday)
Playoff probabilities: 0.1%
Tragic quantity: 15
Issues: 62
Law wins: 22
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 13
Issues tempo: 73.7
Subsequent recreation: vs. OTT (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: ~0%
Tragic quantity: 14
Metro Department
Issues: 102
Law wins: 40
Playoff place: M1
Video games left: 12
Issues tempo: 119.5
Subsequent recreation: @ WPG (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Issues: 90
Law wins: 38
Playoff place: M2
Video games left: 12
Issues tempo: 105.4
Subsequent recreation: vs. NSH (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Issues: 81
Law wins: 33
Playoff place: M3
Video games left: 10
Issues tempo: 92.3
Subsequent recreation: @ CHI (Wednesday)
Playoff probabilities: 94.6%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Issues: 74
Law wins: 25
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 12
Issues tempo: 86.7
Subsequent recreation: vs. VAN (Wednesday)
Playoff probabilities: 28.0%
Tragic quantity: 24
Issues: 74
Law wins: 31
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 11
Issues tempo: 85.5
Subsequent recreation: @ LA (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 17.9%
Tragic quantity: 22
Issues: 73
Law wins: 23
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 12
Issues tempo: 85.5
Subsequent recreation: vs. VAN (Friday)
Playoff probabilities: 9.4%
Tragic quantity: 23
Issues: 69
Law wins: 20
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 10
Issues tempo: 78.6
Subsequent recreation: @ TB (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 0.1%
Tragic quantity: 15
Issues: 65
Law wins: 17
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 10
Issues tempo: 74.0
Subsequent recreation: vs. OTT (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: ~0%
Tragic quantity: 11
Central Department
Issues: 100
Law wins: 38
Playoff place: C1
Video games left: 11
Issues tempo: 115.5
Subsequent recreation: vs. WSH (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Issues: 94
Law wins: 36
Playoff place: C2
Video games left: 12
Issues tempo: 110.1
Subsequent recreation: @ EDM (Wednesday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Issues: 89
Law wins: 36
Playoff place: C3
Video games left: 11
Issues tempo: 102.8
Subsequent recreation: vs. DET (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Issues: 85
Law wins: 32
Playoff place: WC1
Video games left: 11
Issues tempo: 98.2
Subsequent recreation: vs. VGK (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 96.8%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Issues: 81
Law wins: 27
Playoff place: WC2
Video games left: 10
Issues tempo: 92.3
Subsequent recreation: vs. MTL (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 71.1%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Issues: 75
Law wins: 24
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 11
Issues tempo: 86.6
Subsequent recreation: @ TB (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 13.3%
Tragic quantity: 17
Issues: 60
Law wins: 22
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 12
Issues tempo: 70.3
Subsequent recreation: @ CAR (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: ~0%
Tragic quantity: 4
Issues: 51
Law wins: 18
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 11
Issues tempo: 58.9
Subsequent recreation: vs. NJ (Wednesday)
Playoff probabilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E
Pacific Department
Issues: 92
Law wins: 39
Playoff place: P1
Video games left: 12
Issues tempo: 107.8
Subsequent recreation: @ MIN (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Issues: 87
Law wins: 34
Playoff place: P3
Video games left: 13
Issues tempo: 103.4
Subsequent recreation: vs. NYR (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Issues: 87
Law wins: 30
Playoff place: P2
Video games left: 12
Issues tempo: 101.9
Subsequent recreation: vs. DAL (Wednesday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.5%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Issues: 78
Law wins: 25
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 11
Issues tempo: 90.1
Subsequent recreation: @ NYI (Wednesday)
Playoff probabilities: 8.9%
Tragic quantity: 20
Issues: 77
Law wins: 26
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 13
Issues tempo: 91.5
Subsequent recreation: vs. SEA (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 10.6%
Tragic quantity: 23
Issues: 68
Law wins: 22
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 12
Issues tempo: 79.7
Subsequent recreation: vs. BOS (Wednesday)
Playoff probabilities: 0.1%
Tragic quantity: 12
Issues: 65
Law wins: 24
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 11
Issues tempo: 75.1
Subsequent recreation: @ CGY (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: ~0%
Tragic quantity: 7
Issues: 47
Law wins: 14
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 12
Issues tempo: 55.1
Subsequent recreation: vs. TOR (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E
Observe: An “x” implies that the group has clinched a playoff berth. An “e” implies that the group has been eradicated from playoff rivalry.
Race for the No. 1 pick out
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The NHL makes use of a draft lottery to decide the order of the primary around, so the group that finishes in ultimate position isn’t assured the No. 1 variety. As of 2021, a group can transfer up a most of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so best 11 groups are eligible for the No. 1 pick out. Complete main points at the procedure are right here. Matthew Schaefer, a defenseman for the OHL’s Erie Otters, is No. 1 at the draft board.
Issues: 47
Law wins: 14
Issues: 51
Law wins: 18
Issues: 60
Law wins: 22
Issues: 62
Law wins: 22
Issues: 65
Law wins: 17
Issues: 65
Law wins: 24
Issues: 68
Law wins: 22
Issues: 69
Law wins: 20
Issues: 69
Law wins: 23
Issues: 72
Law wins: 25
Issues: 73
Law wins: 23
Issues: 74
Law wins: 31
Issues: 74
Law wins: 25
Issues: 75
Law wins: 24
Issues: 77
Law wins: 26
Issues: 78
Law wins: 25
