The weekend was decisive for teams aiming for the Stanley Cup playoffs, with 14 of the 16 spots now secured as of Monday`s game day. However, final seedings are still to be determined.
As the regular NHL season concludes this Thursday, here`s a preview of what`s at stake in Monday`s six matchups:
Chicago Blackhawks at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
Following Columbus`s Sunday victory, Montreal can secure a playoff spot and eliminate Columbus with a win tonight. Chicago is confirmed to pick second in the upcoming draft lottery.
Dallas Stars at Detroit Red Wings, 7 p.m. (NHL Network)
The Stars are set to face the Avalanche in the first round at home, as their seeding is locked. Detroit is currently positioned 11th in the draft lottery, closely grouped with other teams for draft positioning.
New York Rangers at Florida Panthers, 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
The Rangers could improve their draft pick to top 10, or fall to 13th depending on results. The Panthers are competing for second place in their division, unable to overtake Toronto but aiming to surpass Tampa Bay. Ottawa cannot catch Florida for playoff contention.
Utah Hockey Club at Nashville Predators, 8 p.m. (ESPN+)
These teams are positioned 14th and 3rd in the draft lottery respectively. Nashville`s draft position is fixed at 3rd, while Utah could move between 13th and 15th depending on game outcomes.
Los Angeles Kings at Edmonton Oilers, 10 p.m. (ESPN+, NHL Network)
This matchup previews the Pacific Division`s 2nd vs. 3rd series, with home-ice advantage at stake. The Kings are currently second, needing only a point to secure home ice. The Oilers need a regulation win to have a chance at home-ice advantage.
San Jose Sharks at Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m. (ESPN+)
This late game features two lottery-bound teams. San Jose has clinched the top lottery spot, while Vancouver is currently 15th and could shift to 14th or 16th position.
- Current Playoff Matchups
- Monday`s Games
- Sunday`s Scoreboard
- Expanded Standings
- Atlantic Division
- x – Toronto Maple Leafs
- x – Tampa Bay Lightning
- x – Florida Panthers
- x – Ottawa Senators
- Montreal Canadiens
- e – Detroit Red Wings
- e – Buffalo Sabres
- e – Boston Bruins
- Metro Division
- z – Washington Capitals
- x – Carolina Hurricanes
- x – New Jersey Devils
- Columbus Blue Jackets
- e – New York Islanders
- e – New York Rangers
- e – Pittsburgh Penguins
- e – Philadelphia Flyers
- Central Division
- p – Winnipeg Jets
- x – Dallas Stars
- x – Colorado Avalanche
- Minnesota Wild
- St. Louis Blues
- e – Utah Hockey Club
- e – Nashville Predators
- e – Chicago Blackhawks
- Pacific Division
- y – Vegas Golden Knights
- x – Los Angeles Kings
- x – Edmonton Oilers
- Calgary Flames
- e – Vancouver Canucks
- e – Anaheim Ducks
- e – Seattle Kraken
- e – San Jose Sharks
- Race for the No. 1 Pick
- 1. San Jose Sharks
- 2. Chicago Blackhawks
- 3. Nashville Predators
- 4. Boston Bruins
- 5. Seattle Kraken
- 6. Philadelphia Flyers
- 7. Buffalo Sabres
- 8. Pittsburgh Penguins
- 9. Anaheim Ducks
- 10. New York Rangers
- 11. Detroit Red Wings
- 12. New York Islanders
- 13. Columbus Blue Jackets
- 14. Utah Hockey Club
- 15. Vancouver Canucks
- 16. Calgary Flames
Current Playoff Matchups
Eastern Conference
A1 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. WC1 Ottawa Senators
A2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. A3 Florida Panthers
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 ET. Games on ESPN+ are subject to local blackout restrictions.
Chicago Blackhawks at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m.
Dallas Stars at Detroit Red Wings, 7 p.m. (NHL Network)
New York Rangers at Florida Panthers, 7 p.m.
Utah Hockey Club at Nashville Predators, 8 p.m.
Los Angeles Kings at Edmonton Oilers, 10 p.m.
San Jose Sharks at Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m.
Sunday`s Scoreboard
Ottawa Senators 4, Philadelphia Flyers 3 (OT)
New York Islanders 1, New Jersey Devils 0
Boston Bruins 4, Pittsburgh Penguins 1
Toronto Maple Leafs 4, Carolina Hurricanes 1
Tampa Bay Lightning 7, Buffalo Sabres 4
Columbus Blue Jackets 4, Washington Capitals 1
Edmonton Oilers 4, Winnipeg Jets 1
Calgary Flames 5, San Jose Sharks 2
Colorado Avalanche 4, Anaheim Ducks 2
Expanded Standings
Atlantic Division
x – Toronto Maple Leafs
Points: 104
x – Tampa Bay Lightning
Points: 100
x – Florida Panthers
Points: 98
x – Ottawa Senators
Points: 94
Montreal Canadiens
Points: 88
e – Detroit Red Wings
Points: 81
e – Buffalo Sabres
Points: 77
e – Boston Bruins
Points: 75
Metro Division
z – Washington Capitals
Points: 109
x – Carolina Hurricanes
Points: 99
x – New Jersey Devils
Points: 89
Columbus Blue Jackets
Points: 85
e – New York Islanders
Points: 82
e – New York Rangers
Points: 81
e – Pittsburgh Penguins
Points: 78
e – Philadelphia Flyers
Points: 76
Central Division
p – Winnipeg Jets
Points: 114
x – Dallas Stars
Points: 106
x – Colorado Avalanche
Points: 102
Minnesota Wild
Points: 95
St. Louis Blues
Points: 94
e – Utah Hockey Club
Points: 87
e – Nashville Predators
Points: 66
e – Chicago Blackhawks
Points: 57
Pacific Division
y – Vegas Golden Knights
Points: 107
x – Los Angeles Kings
Points: 101
x – Edmonton Oilers
Points: 99
Calgary Flames
Points: 92
e – Vancouver Canucks
Points: 88
e – Anaheim Ducks
Points: 78
e – Seattle Kraken
Points: 76
e – San Jose Sharks
Points: 51
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 the top-ranked draft prospect.
1. San Jose Sharks
Points: 51
2. Chicago Blackhawks
Points: 57
3. Nashville Predators
Points: 66
4. Boston Bruins
Points: 75
5. Seattle Kraken
Points: 76
6. Philadelphia Flyers
Points: 76
7. Buffalo Sabres
Points: 77
8. Pittsburgh Penguins
Points: 78
9. Anaheim Ducks
Points: 78
10. New York Rangers
Points: 81
11. Detroit Red Wings
Points: 81
12. New York Islanders
Points: 82
13. Columbus Blue Jackets
Points: 85
14. Utah Hockey Club
Points: 87
15. Vancouver Canucks
Points: 88
16. Calgary Flames
Points: 92
