NHL Playoff Standings: Sunday’s Decisive Games

Saturday`s NHL schedule saw significant outcomes:

• Tampa Bay Lightning and Los Angeles Kings secured playoff spots.
• Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers were eliminated from playoff contention.

Sunday features fewer games, but most are crucial for playoff implications.

• New York Islanders face Washington Capitals (12:30 p.m. ET, TNT). The Islanders, aiming to contain Alex Ovechkin, are trying to close a seven-point gap to the Montreal Canadiens for the final wild-card spot. The Canadiens play the Nashville Predators (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+).
• Minnesota Wild, currently holding the last Western wild-card spot, host the Dallas Stars (3 p.m. ET, TNT). Minnesota leads the Calgary Flames by four points and the Vancouver Canucks by six. The Canucks host the Vegas Golden Knights (10 p.m. ET, ESPN). Dallas is four points behind Winnipeg Jets for the top seed in the West.
• A key game is between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Ottawa Senators (5 p.m., ESPN+). The Blue Jackets are six points behind the Canadiens, while the Senators are eyeing the Florida Panthers for the third seed, trailing by four points. The Panthers play the Detroit Red Wings (5:30 p.m. ET, TNT), who are also six points behind the Canadiens for WC2.

For draft lottery watchers, the Boston Bruins play the Buffalo Sabres (6 p.m. ET, ESPN+) and the Pittsburgh Penguins visit the Chicago Blackhawks (6 p.m. ET, ESPN+).

With the regular season ending on April 17, follow the NHL playoff watch for updates on playoff races and the 2025 NHL draft lottery.

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 Minnesota Wild
C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche
P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC1 St. Louis Blues
P2 Los Angeles Kings vs. P3 Edmonton Oilers

Sunday`s Games

Note: All times ET. Games on TNT or NHL Network are available on TV, others stream on ESPN+ (blackout restrictions apply).

• Washington Capitals at New York Islanders, 12:30 p.m. (TNT)
• Dallas Stars at Minnesota Wild, 3 p.m. (TNT)
• Columbus Blue Jackets at Ottawa Senators, 5 p.m.
• Florida Panthers at Detroit Red Wings, 5:30 p.m. (TNT)
• Boston Bruins at Buffalo Sabres, 6 p.m.
• Pittsburgh Penguins at Chicago Blackhawks, 6 p.m.
• Montreal Canadiens at Nashville Predators, 7 p.m.
• Vegas Golden Knights at Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m.

Saturday`s Scoreboard

New Jersey Devils 4, New York Rangers 0
Ottawa Senators 3, Florida Panthers 0
Pittsburgh Penguins 5, Dallas Stars 3
Vancouver Canucks 6, Anaheim Ducks 2
Los Angeles Kings 3, Edmonton Oilers 0
Boston Bruins 5, Carolina Hurricanes 1
Buffalo Sabres 3, Tampa Bay Lightning 2 (SO)
Toronto Maple Leafs 5, Columbus Blue Jackets 0
Montreal Canadiens 3, Philadelphia Flyers 2
St. Louis Blues 5, Colorado Avalanche 4
Utah Hockey Club 4, Winnipeg Jets 1
Vegas Golden Knights 3, Calgary Flames 2 (OT)
Seattle Kraken 5, San Jose Sharks 1

Expanded Standings

Atlantic Division

Metro Division

Central Division

Pacific Division

Note: `x` – clinched playoff berth, `e` – eliminated from contention.

Race for the No. 1 Pick

The NHL Draft Lottery decides the first-round order. Last place doesn`t guarantee No. 1 pick. A team can move up 10 spots max. Only 11 teams can get No. 1 pick. Details are here. Matthew Schaefer is currently ranked No. 1.