• ESPN staff

NHL Showdown Saturday is here, marking the final week of the regular season and just one week until the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs begin!

While 12 of the 16 playoff teams are confirmed, the final seedings, the Presidents` Trophy race for the top overall seed, and the draft lottery order are still to be decided.

Today`s schedule features 11 games. Here`s a breakdown of what each matchup means:

New York Islanders at Philadelphia Flyers
12:30 p.m.

Though playoff hopes are slim for the Islanders and gone for the Flyers, this game affects draft lottery positioning. The Flyers are currently 5th, close to Boston and ahead of Seattle, while the Islanders are 10th, ahead of Detroit and behind Anaheim.

Washington Capitals at Columbus Blue Jackets
12:30 p.m.

Alex Ovechkin`s pursuit of the goal record is done, but his continued performance is exciting. The Capitals have secured the Eastern Conference`s top seed but are chasing the Presidents` Trophy, three points behind Winnipeg. The Blue Jackets trail the final wild-card spot by six points and are 13th in the draft lottery.

New York Rangers at Carolina Hurricanes
3 p.m.

The Hurricanes, last season`s Presidents` Trophy winners, are unlikely to make the playoffs, needing wins and significant help to overcome their six-point gap for the second wild card in the East. The Hurricanes are locked into the Metro Division`s No. 2 spot and will host the first round against New Jersey.

Colorado Avalanche at Los Angeles Kings
4 p.m.

The Avalanche can`t win their division and will probably be third in the Central. The Kings could still win the Pacific but are more likely to remain second. Both teams are strong contenders heading into the postseason, making this game a potential Western Conference Finals preview.

Buffalo Sabres at Florida Panthers
6 p.m.

The Sabres are missing the playoffs again, though a recent strong run offers future hope. They are currently 7th in the draft lottery. The Panthers are still in contention for the Atlantic Division title, trailing Tampa Bay by two points and Toronto by four.

Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs
7 p.m.

Playoff hockey is likely returning to Montreal! The Canadiens are comfortably ahead of other contenders for a wild-card spot. The Maple Leafs are battling the Lightning and Panthers for the Atlantic Division`s top seed, currently holding a two-point lead over Tampa Bay and four over Florida.

Winnipeg Jets at Chicago Blackhawks
7 p.m.

This game pits teams at opposite ends of the standings. The Jets lead the league for the Presidents` Trophy and their division, needing a win to secure the Central Division title. The Blackhawks are guaranteed a top-two draft lottery position and could still get the No. 1 pick, competing with San Jose.

Utah Hockey Club at Dallas Stars
8 p.m.

Utah`s inaugural season has seen them surprisingly in the playoff conversation until recently. They are 14th in the draft lottery. The Stars are chasing the Jets for the Central Division lead but need Winnipeg to lose their remaining games.

Minnesota Wild at Vancouver Canucks
10 p.m.

After a March slump, the Wild are back on track thanks to returning players and hold the West`s first wild-card spot. The Canucks, former division champions, are out of playoff contention and are 15th in the draft lottery.

Nashville Predators at Vegas Golden Knights
10 p.m.

Jonathan Marchessault, a Golden Knights legend, returns to Vegas with Nashville. While the game`s standings impact is low, it`s notable for this reunion. The Predators are 3rd in the draft lottery, and the Golden Knights can clinch a division title with a regulation win.

St. Louis Blues at Seattle Kraken
10 p.m.

The Blues` recent losses have given Calgary hope, but St. Louis still holds a wild-card spot lead. Seattle is 6th in the draft lottery, close to Philadelphia and Boston.

With the regular season concluding on April 17th, we`re tracking the NHL playoff picture. We`ll keep you updated on playoff races and the draft lottery as the season ends.

Contents
  1. Current Playoff Matchups
  2. Clinching Scenarios
  3. Saturday`s Games
  4. Friday`s Scoreboard
  5. Expanded Standings
  6. Atlantic Division
  7. x – Toronto Maple Leafs
  8. x – Tampa Bay Lightning
  9. x – Florida Panthers
  10. x – Ottawa Senators
  11. Montreal Canadiens
  12. Detroit Red Wings
  13. e – Buffalo Sabres
  14. e – Boston Bruins
  15. Metro Division
  16. z – Washington Capitals
  17. x – Carolina Hurricanes
  18. x – New Jersey Devils
  19. Columbus Blue Jackets
  20. New York Rangers
  21. New York Islanders
  22. e – Pittsburgh Penguins
  23. e – Philadelphia Flyers
  24. Central Division
  25. x – Winnipeg Jets
  26. x – Dallas Stars
  27. x – Colorado Avalanche
  28. Minnesota Wild
  29. St. Louis Blues
  30. e – Utah Hockey Club
  31. e – Nashville Predators
  32. e – Chicago Blackhawks
  33. Pacific Division
  34. x – Vegas Golden Knights
  35. x – Los Angeles Kings
  36. Edmonton Oilers
  37. Calgary Flames
  38. e – Vancouver Canucks
  39. e – Anaheim Ducks
  40. e – Seattle Kraken
  41. e – San Jose Sharks
  42. Race for the No. 1 Pick
  43. 1. San Jose Sharks
  44. 2. Chicago Blackhawks
  45. 3. Nashville Predators
  46. 4. Boston Bruins
  47. 5. Philadelphia Flyers
  48. 6. Seattle Kraken
  49. 7. Buffalo Sabres
  50. 8. Pittsburgh Penguins
  51. 9. Anaheim Ducks
  52. 10. New York Islanders
  53. 11. Detroit Red Wings
  54. 12. New York Rangers
  55. 13. Columbus Blue Jackets
  56. 14. Utah Hockey Club
  57. 15. Vancouver Canucks
  58. 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

Clinching Scenarios

The Montreal Canadiens will clinch a playoff berth if:

  • They defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs in regulation

  • They defeat the Maple Leafs in any fashion, and there`s any result other than a Columbus Blue Jackets regulation win against the Washington Capitals

  • They lose in overtime/shootout to the Maple Leafs and the Blue Jackets lose to the Capitals in any fashion

The Minnesota Wild will clinch a playoff berth if they defeat the Vancouver Canucks in any fashion, AND the St. Louis Blues lose to the Seattle Kraken in regulation.

The Winnipeg Jets will clinch the Central Division title and the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference if:

  • They win or lose in OT/SO to the Chicago Blackhawks

  • There is any result in the Dallas Stars-Utah Hockey Club game other than a Stars win in regulation

The Vegas Golden Knights will clinch the Pacific Division title if:

  • They defeat the Nashville Predators in regulation

  • They defeat the Preds in OT/SO, AND there is any result in the Los Angeles Kings-Colorado Avalanche game other than a Kings win in regulation

  • They lose in OT/SO, AND the Kings lose to the Avs in any fashion

  • The Kings lose to the Avs in regulation

Saturday`s Games

New York Islanders at Philadelphia Flyers, 12:30 p.m.
Washington Capitals at Columbus Blue Jackets, 12:30 p.m.
New York Rangers at Carolina Hurricanes, 3 p.m.
Colorado Avalanche at Los Angeles Kings, 4 p.m.
Buffalo Sabres at Florida Panthers, 6 p.m.
Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m.
Winnipeg Jets at Chicago Blackhawks, 7 p.m.
Utah Hockey Club at Dallas Stars, 8 p.m.
Minnesota Wild at Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m.
Nashville Predators at Vegas Golden Knights, 10 p.m.
St. Louis Blues at Seattle Kraken, 10 p.m.

Friday`s Scoreboard

Ottawa Senators 5, Montreal Canadiens 2
Detroit Red Wings 4, Tampa Bay Lightning 3 (OT)
Pittsburgh Penguins 4, New Jersey Devils 2
Edmonton Oilers 4, San Jose Sharks 2
Calgary Flames 4, Minnesota Wild 2

Expanded Standings

Atlantic Division

x – Toronto Maple Leafs

Points: 100
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 4
Points pace: 105.1
Next game: vs. MTL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x – Tampa Bay Lightning

Points: 98
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 3
Points pace: 101.7
Next game: vs. BUF (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x – Florida Panthers

Points: 96
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 3
Points pace: 99.7
Next game: vs. BUF (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x – Ottawa Senators

Points: 92
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 3
Points pace: 95.5
Next game: vs. PHI (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Montreal Canadiens

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 3
Points pace: 90.3
Next game: @ TOR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 98.3%
Tragic number: N/A

Detroit Red Wings

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 84.1
Next game: vs. DAL (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0.4%
Tragic number: 1

e – Buffalo Sabres

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 79.9
Next game: @ FLA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e – Boston Bruins

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 74.8
Next game: @ PIT (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Metro Division

z – Washington Capitals

Points: 109
Regulation wins: 42
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 4
Points pace: 114.6
Next game: @ CBJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x – Carolina Hurricanes

Points: 97
Regulation wins: 41
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 4
Points pace: 102.0
Next game: vs. NYR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x – New Jersey Devils

Points: 89
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 3
Points pace: 92.4
Next game: vs. NYI (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Columbus Blue Jackets

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 85.2
Next game: vs. WSH (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0.4%
Tragic number: 3

New York Rangers

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 84.1
Next game: @ CAR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 1

New York Islanders

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 83.1
Next game: @ PHI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0.9%
Tragic number: 1

e – Pittsburgh Penguins

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 80.0
Next game: vs. BOS (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e – Philadelphia Flyers

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 76.7
Next game: vs. NYI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Central Division

x – Winnipeg Jets

Points: 112
Regulation wins: 43
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 3
Points pace: 116.3
Next game: @ CHI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x – Dallas Stars

Points: 106
Regulation wins: 41
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 3
Points pace: 110.0
Next game: vs. UTA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x – Colorado Avalanche

Points: 100
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 2
Points pace: 102.5
Next game: @ LA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Minnesota Wild

Points: 93
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 2
Points pace: 95.3
Next game: @ VAN (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 97.9%
Tragic number: N/A

St. Louis Blues

Points: 93
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 2
Points pace: 95.3
Next game: @ SEA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 94.7%
Tragic number: N/A

e – Utah Hockey Club

Points: 85
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 88.2
Next game: @ DAL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e – Nashville Predators

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 68.5
Next game: @ VGK (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e – Chicago Blackhawks

Points: 56
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 58.1
Next game: vs. WPG (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Pacific Division

x – Vegas Golden Knights

Points: 105
Regulation wins: 44
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 3
Points pace: 109.0
Next game: vs. NSH (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x – Los Angeles Kings

Points: 99
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 4
Points pace: 104.1
Next game: vs. COL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Edmonton Oilers

Points: 97
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 3
Points pace: 100.7
Next game: @ WPG (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Calgary Flames

Points: 90
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 93.4
Next game: vs. SJ (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 7.5%
Tragic number: 3

e – Vancouver Canucks

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 90.3
Next game: vs. MIN (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e – Anaheim Ducks

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 81.0
Next game: vs. COL (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e – Seattle Kraken

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 75.9
Next game: vs. STL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e – San Jose Sharks

Points: 51
Regulation wins: 14

Race for the No. 1 Pick

The NHL draft lottery determines the first-round order, meaning the last-place team isn`t guaranteed the top pick. Teams can move up a maximum of 10 spots in the lottery, limiting No. 1 pick eligibility to the bottom 11 teams. Details on the process are available. Matthew Schaefer of the OHL`s Erie Otters is currently ranked No. 1.

1. San Jose Sharks

Points: 51
Regulation wins: 14

2. Chicago Blackhawks

Points: 56
Regulation wins: 20

3. Nashville Predators

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 23

4. Boston Bruins

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 25

5. Philadelphia Flyers

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 21

6. Seattle Kraken

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 28

7. Buffalo Sabres

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 28

8. Pittsburgh Penguins

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 23

9. Anaheim Ducks

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 24

10. New York Islanders

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 27

11. Detroit Red Wings

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 29

12. New York Rangers

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 33

13. Columbus Blue Jackets

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 26

14. Utah Hockey Club

Points: 85
Regulation wins: 28

15. Vancouver Canucks

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 28

16. Calgary Flames

Points: 90
Regulation wins: 29