NHL Playoff Standings: Saturday’s Key Matchups

Saturday in the NHL offers a packed schedule with 14 games throughout the day, promising action for every hockey fan. Games begin at 1 p.m. ET and continue until the final puck drop at 10:30 p.m. ET.

Here’s a preview of what each game means for the teams involved:

Vancouver Canucks at New York Rangers
1 p.m., NHL Network

After a recent loss, the Canucks have slipped from a wild-card position in the Western Conference. A victory here could propel them back into contention. The Rangers are aiming to avoid a rare setback of missing the playoffs after securing the Presidents` Trophy the previous season, a fate only three other teams have experienced.

Philadelphia Flyers at Dallas Stars
2 p.m., ESPN+

The Flyers are out of playoff contention, but they are focused on improving their position for the draft lottery. For the Stars, this game is crucial as they aim to close a 10-point gap with the Jets in the Central Division, where they trail by three regulation wins despite having two games in hand. Winning today is key to challenging for the division title.

Buffalo Sabres at Minnesota Wild
2 p.m., ESPN+

The Sabres are set to miss the playoffs again, with hopes pinned on improvements next season after a lengthy rebuild. The Wild are currently holding a wild-card spot in the West, trailing the Avalanche by four points for third in the Central but comfortably ahead of the Blues by six points. They are looking to climb in the standings.

Chicago Blackhawks at St. Louis Blues
3 p.m., ESPN+

The Blues have an easier schedule ahead, starting with this game against the Blackhawks, one of the league`s weaker teams, despite some potential for future improvement. The Blackhawks, officially out of playoff contention, are now focused on draft lottery positioning.

Calgary Flames at New York Islanders
4 p.m., ESPN+

The Flames are aiming to sweep their New York City area road trip and remain in the Western wild-card race, boosted by rookie goalie Dustin Wolf. The Islanders have quietly entered the Eastern wild-card conversation, just two points behind the Canadiens who currently hold the last spot.

Carolina Hurricanes at Los Angeles Kings
4 p.m., ESPN+

Both the Hurricanes and Kings are highly likely to make the playoffs. While both teams have faced challenges in recent years to reach the Stanley Cup Final, a potential matchup in the finals would be exciting.

Florida Panthers at Washington Capitals
5 p.m., ESPN+

If the Panthers continue their Stanley Cup Final streak and potentially win again, dynasty talks will emerge. Leading the Atlantic Division, they might face the Capitals, who recently clinched a playoff spot and are a strong contender, in the conference finals. This game could be a preview. Meanwhile, Alex Ovechkin continues his pursuit of Wayne Gretzky`s goal record.

Tampa Bay Lightning at Utah Hockey Club
5 p.m., ESPN+

The Lightning, consistent playoff contenders, made strategic additions at the trade deadline and look set to continue their playoff streak. The Utah Hockey Club, new this season, is aiming to start their own streak, currently four points behind the Blues for a Western wild card.

Colorado Avalanche at Montreal Canadiens
7 p.m., ESPN+

The Avalanche are expected to reach the postseason again, despite some early season challenges. Conversely, the Canadiens` presence in a wild-card spot at this point in the season is unexpected. Every game and point is crucial from here on.

Ottawa Senators at New Jersey Devils
7 p.m., ESPN+

The Senators last playoff appearance saw them reach the conference finals, the same round they might meet Saturday`s opponent, the Devils. Despite recent struggles due to injuries, the Devils are holding onto the third spot in the Metro Division, leading the Islanders and Rangers by eight points.

Toronto Maple Leafs at Nashville Predators
7 p.m., ESPN+

The Predators are likely focused on draft lottery odds, while the Leafs are competing for the top seed in the Atlantic Division, currently tied in points with the Panthers but trailing in regulation wins.

Detroit Red Wings at Vegas Golden Knights
8 p.m., ABC/ESPN+

Despite Dylan Larkin`s strong performances, the Red Wings have slightly fallen back in the playoff race but are still within reach of a wild-card spot. The Golden Knights are looking to extend their lead in the Pacific Division over the Oilers.

Seattle Kraken at Edmonton Oilers
10 p.m., ESPN+

The Oilers have avoided a Stanley Cup runner-up slump this season. They face a decision: another first-round matchup with the Kings or potentially facing the Wild if they overtake the Knights. For the Kraken, this game is an evaluation opportunity as they plan for next season.

Boston Bruins at San Jose Sharks
10:30 p.m., ESPN+

This matchup once would have had major playoff implications, but now the Sharks are eliminated, and the Bruins face slim playoff chances, needing a significant turnaround and help from other teams.

With the regular season extending to April 17, the playoff race is far from over. Stay tuned for ongoing NHL playoff updates and analysis, including teams vying for the 2025 NHL draft lottery.

Note: Playoff probabilities are sourced from Stathletes.

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 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings

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Saturday`s Games

Note: All times ET. Games streaming on ESPN+ are subject to local blackout restrictions.

Vancouver Canucks at New York Rangers, 1 p.m. (NHLN)
Philadelphia Flyers at Dallas Stars, 2 p.m.
Buffalo Sabres at Minnesota Wild, 2 p.m.
Chicago Blackhawks at St. Louis Blues, 3 p.m.
Calgary Flames at New York Islanders, 4 p.m.
Carolina Hurricanes at Los Angeles Kings, 4 p.m.
Florida Panthers at Washington Capitals, 5 p.m.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Utah Hockey Club, 5 p.m.
Colorado Avalanche at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m.
Ottawa Senators at New Jersey Devils, 7 p.m.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Nashville Predators, 7 p.m.
Detroit Red Wings at Vegas Golden Knights, 8 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)
Seattle Kraken at Edmonton Oilers, 10 p.m.
Boston Bruins at San Jose Sharks, 10:30 p.m.

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Friday`s Scoreboard

Pittsburgh Penguins 6, Columbus Blue Jackets 3

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Expanded Standings

Atlantic Division

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 13
Points pace: 103.4
Next game: @ WSH (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 13
Points pace: 103.4
Next game: @ NSH (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%

Points: 85
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 14
Points pace: 102.5
Next game: @ UTA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 14
Points pace: 92.9
Next game: @ NJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 95.4%

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 14
Points pace: 89.2
Next game: vs. COL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 43.3%

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 14
Points pace: 84.4
Next game: @ VGK (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 5.7%

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 80.8
Next game: @ SJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 1.3%

Points: 60
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 15
Points pace: 73.4
Next game: @ MIN (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%

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Metro Division

Points: 100
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 13
Points pace: 118.8
Next game: vs. FLA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%

Points: 88
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 14
Points pace: 106.1
Next game: @ LA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 12
Points pace: 93.7
Next game: vs. OTT (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 95.3%

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 14
Points pace: 86.8
Next game: vs. CGY (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 24.8%

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 84.3
Next game: vs. VAN (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 18.2%

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 84.4
Next game: @ NYI (Monday)
Playoff chances: 15.9%

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 78.5
Next game: @ FLA (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%

Points: 64
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 75.0
Next game: @ DAL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%

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Central Division

Points: 100
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 12
Points pace: 117.1
Next game: vs. BUF (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%

Points: 90
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 14
Points pace: 108.5
Next game: vs. PHI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 12
Points pace: 101.9
Next game: @ MTL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%

Points: 83
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 13
Points pace: 98.6
Next game: vs. BUF (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 93.8%

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 12
Points pace: 90.2
Next game: vs. CHI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 56.5%

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 86.8
Next game: vs. TB (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 12.5%

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 14
Points pace: 69.9
Next game: vs. TOR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%

Points: 49
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 58.2
Next game: @ STL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%

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Pacific Division

Points: 88
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 14
Points pace: 106.1
Next game: vs. DET (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%

Points: 85
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 13
Points pace: 101.0
Next game: vs. SEA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.6%

Points: 83
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 15
Points pace: 101.6
Next game: vs. CAR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.6%

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 90.3
Next game: @ NYR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 21.3%

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 14
Points pace: 90.4
Next game: @ NYI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 16.8%

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 80.8
Next game: vs. CAR (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%

Points: 65
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 76.1
Next game: @ EDM (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%

Points: 45
Regulation wins: 13
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 53.5
Next game: vs. BOS (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%

Note: `x` denotes clinched playoff berth, `e` denotes playoff elimination.

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Race for the No. 1 Pick

The NHL Draft Lottery determines the first-round order, not solely based on last place. Teams can move up a maximum of 10 spots in the lottery, limiting eligibility for the No. 1 pick to the bottom 11 teams. Matthew Schaefer is currently ranked as the top prospect.

Points: 45
Regulation wins: 13

Points: 49
Regulation wins: 17

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 21

Points: 60
Regulation wins: 21

Points: 64
Regulation wins: 17

Points: 65
Regulation wins: 24

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 20

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 22

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 24

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 23

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 30

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 25

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 23

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 26

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 25