After a busy Tuesday night with 10 NHL games, Wednesday offers a more moderate schedule of five matchups. However, these games are packed with significance for both playoff positioning and the upcoming draft lottery. Let`s quickly examine each of these key contests.
Featured Matchups for Wednesday
While Toronto seems secure in a top-two spot in the Atlantic Division, Tampa Bay could still potentially overtake them for the division`s top seed. This game is a crucial opportunity for the Lightning to gain ground with a decisive regulation victory.
The Rangers are struggling, having lost their last two games with a combined score of 9-1, putting their playoff aspirations in jeopardy. A win against the Flyers is vital for them to begin a comeback towards playoff contention. Philadelphia, meanwhile, is currently positioned fourth in the draft lottery order and also holds valuable first-round picks from other teams.
The San Jose Sharks are currently in the top spot for the draft lottery, leading the Chicago Blackhawks by four points. On the other side, the Minnesota Wild are holding onto the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference, leading the Calgary Flames by four points.
After their impressive 12-game winning streak was halted, the St. Louis Blues will aim to start a new one against the Edmonton Oilers. The Blues currently hold the first wild-card spot, just two points ahead of the Wild. The Oilers are likely to secure the third spot in the Pacific Division, setting up a first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Kings for the fourth consecutive year.
Calgary`s playoff chances are diminishing, making this game critical for them to secure two points. They are currently four points behind the Wild for the final wild-card spot. The Anaheim Ducks are positioned eighth in the draft lottery rankings and could potentially improve their draft position in their remaining games.
With the regular season concluding on April 17th, we are closely monitoring the NHL playoff race and the teams vying for favorable positions in the 2025 NHL draft lottery.
Current Playoff Matchups
Eastern Conference
- Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators
- Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers
- Washington Capitals vs. Montreal Canadiens
- Carolina Hurricanes vs. New Jersey Devils
Western Conference
- Winnipeg Jets vs. Minnesota Wild
- Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche
- Vegas Golden Knights vs. St. Louis Blues
- Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers
Wednesday`s Games
All times Eastern.
- Toronto Maple Leafs at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7 p.m. ET
- Philadelphia Flyers at New York Rangers, 7:30 p.m. ET
- San Jose Sharks at Minnesota Wild, 8 p.m. ET
- St. Louis Blues at Edmonton Oilers, 10 p.m. ET
- Calgary Flames at Anaheim Ducks, 10 p.m. ET
Tuesday`s Scores
- Buffalo Sabres 3, Carolina Hurricanes 0
- Montreal Canadiens 4, Detroit Red Wings 1
- Florida Panthers 3, Toronto Maple Leafs 1
- Boston Bruins 7, New Jersey Devils 2
- Columbus Blue Jackets 5, Ottawa Senators 2
- Pittsburgh Penguins 5, Chicago Blackhawks 0
- Nashville Predators 7, New York Islanders 6 (OT)
- Vancouver Canucks 6, Dallas Stars 5 (OT)
- Utah Hockey Club 7, Seattle Kraken 1
- Colorado Avalanche 3, Vegas Golden Knights 2 (SO)
Current Standings
Atlantic Division
- x – Toronto Maple Leafs – Points: 98
- x – Tampa Bay Lightning – Points: 96
- x – Florida Panthers – Points: 94
- x – Ottawa Senators – Points: 90
- Montreal Canadiens – Points: 87
- Detroit Red Wings – Points: 79
- e – Buffalo Sabres – Points: 76
- e – Boston Bruins – Points: 73
Metro Division
- y – Washington Capitals – Points: 107
- x – Carolina Hurricanes – Points: 96
- New Jersey Devils – Points: 89
- New York Rangers – Points: 79
- New York Islanders – Points: 79
- Columbus Blue Jackets – Points: 79
- e – Pittsburgh Penguins – Points: 76
- e – Philadelphia Flyers – Points: 71
Central Division
- x – Winnipeg Jets – Points: 110
- x – Dallas Stars – Points: 106
- x – Colorado Avalanche – Points: 100
- St. Louis Blues – Points: 93
- Minnesota Wild – Points: 91
- Utah Hockey Club – Points: 84
- e – Nashville Predators – Points: 64
- e – Chicago Blackhawks – Points: 54
Pacific Division
- x – Vegas Golden Knights – Points: 103
- x – Los Angeles Kings – Points: 97
- Edmonton Oilers – Points: 93
- Calgary Flames – Points: 87
- Vancouver Canucks – Points: 85
- e – Anaheim Ducks – Points: 76
- e – Seattle Kraken – Points: 74
- e – San Jose Sharks – Points: 50
Note: `y` – division champ, `x` – playoff berth, `e` – eliminated.
Race for the No. 1 Draft 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 via the lottery. Matthew Schaefer is currently projected as the No. 1 draft prospect.
- San Jose Sharks – Points: 50
- Chicago Blackhawks – Points: 54
- Nashville Predators – Points: 64
- Philadelphia Flyers – Points: 71
- Boston Bruins – Points: 73
- Seattle Kraken – Points: 74
- Pittsburgh Penguins – Points: 76
- Anaheim Ducks – Points: 76
- Buffalo Sabres – Points: 76
- Columbus Blue Jackets – Points: 79
- New York Islanders – Points: 79
- Detroit Red Wings – Points: 79
- New York Rangers – Points: 79
- Utah Hockey Club – Points: 84
- Vancouver Canucks – Points: 85
- Calgary Flames – Points: 87
