After Tuesday`s games, the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues secured the wild-card spots in the Western Conference, meaning the Calgary Flames are out of playoff contention.
In the Eastern Conference, the Columbus Blue Jackets` win against the Philadelphia Flyers keeps their playoff hopes alive, though slim. Will Wednesday finalize the 16 playoff teams, or will it come down to Thursday`s games?
Key Games to Watch
Carolina Hurricanes at Montreal Canadiens – 7 p.m. ET
This is the most crucial game of the night. If the Canadiens win in any fashion or lose in overtime/shootout, they clinch the second Eastern wild-card spot. Only a regulation loss for Montreal keeps the Blue Jackets` chances alive. It`s uncertain what kind of lineup the Hurricanes will field, as they`ve already secured the No. 2 spot in their division.
Anaheim Ducks at Winnipeg Jets – 7 p.m. ET
The Ducks are guaranteed to finish no lower than ninth in the draft lottery. A loss here, combined with wins by the Penguins and Sabres on Thursday, could improve their draft position to as high as seventh. The Jets recently secured the Presidents` Trophy as the league`s top regular-season team and the No. 1 playoff seed.
Detroit Red Wings at New Jersey Devils – 7:30 p.m. ET
The Red Wings are currently 12th in the draft lottery order and could move up to 10th. Like the Hurricanes, the Devils are locked into their playoff spot and will face Carolina in the first round.
Dallas Stars at Nashville Predators – 8 p.m. ET
These teams are at opposite ends of their division, and this game won`t change their playoff positioning. The Stars will face the Colorado Avalanche in the first round, and the Predators are locked into a high draft lottery position.
Vegas Golden Knights at Vancouver Canucks – 10 p.m. ET
This Pacific Division matchup won`t affect the standings. The Golden Knights have clinched the top seed in the division, and the Canucks are set in their draft lottery position.
Edmonton Oilers at San Jose Sharks – 10:30 p.m. ET
Another Pacific Division game with no impact on standings. San Jose is locked in for the top draft lottery pick, and the Oilers will play the Los Angeles Kings in the first round of the playoffs.
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
Wednesday`s Games Schedule
All times Eastern.
- Carolina Hurricanes at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m. ET
- Anaheim Ducks at Winnipeg Jets, 7 p.m. ET
- Detroit Red Wings at New Jersey Devils, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Dallas Stars at Nashville Predators, 8 p.m. ET
- Vegas Golden Knights at Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m. ET
- Edmonton Oilers at San Jose Sharks, 10:30 p.m. ET
Tuesday`s Scoreboard
New Jersey Devils 5, Boston Bruins 4 (OT)
Toronto Maple Leafs 4, Buffalo Sabres 0
Chicago Blackhawks 4, Ottawa Senators 3 (OT)
Columbus Blue Jackets 3, Philadelphia Flyers 0
Tampa Bay Lightning 5, Florida Panthers 1
Washington Capitals 3, New York Islanders 1
St. Louis Blues 6, Utah Hockey Club 1
Minnesota Wild 3, Anaheim Ducks 2 (OT)
Calgary Flames 5, Vegas Golden Knights 4 (SO)
Los Angeles Kings 6, Seattle Kraken 5
Expanded Standings
Atlantic Division
Toronto Maple Leafs (y) – Points: 106, Regulation wins: 41, Playoff position: A1, Games left: 1
Tampa Bay Lightning (x) – Points: 102, Regulation wins: 41, Playoff position: A2, Games left: 1
Florida Panthers (x) – Points: 98, Regulation wins: 37, Playoff position: A3, Games left: 0
Ottawa Senators (x) – Points: 95, Regulation wins: 34, Playoff position: WC1, Games left: 1 Montreal Canadiens – Points: 89, Regulation wins: 29, Playoff position: WC2, Games left: 1 Detroit Red Wings (e) – Points: 83, Regulation wins: 29, Playoff position: N/A, Games left: 2
Buffalo Sabres (e) – Points: 77, Regulation wins: 28, Playoff position: N/A, Games left: 1
Boston Bruins (e) – Points: 76, Regulation wins: 26, Playoff position: N/A, Games left: 0Metro Division
Washington Capitals (z) – Points: 111, Regulation wins: 43, Playoff position: M1, Games left: 1 Carolina Hurricanes (x) – Points: 99, Regulation wins: 42, Playoff position: M2, Games left: 2 New Jersey Devils (x) – Points: 91, Regulation wins: 36, Playoff position: M3, Games left: 1
Columbus Blue Jackets – Points: 87, Regulation wins: 29, Playoff position: N/A, Games left: 1
New York Rangers (e) – Points: 83, Regulation wins: 34, Playoff position: N/A, Games left: 1
New York Islanders (e) – Points: 82, Regulation wins: 28, Playoff position: N/A, Games left: 1
Pittsburgh Penguins (e) – Points: 78, Regulation wins: 23, Playoff position: N/A, Games left: 1
Philadelphia Flyers (e) – Points: 76, Regulation wins: 21, Playoff position: N/A, Games left: 1Central Division
Winnipeg Jets (p) – Points: 114, Regulation wins: 43, Playoff position: C1, Games left: 1 Dallas Stars (x) – Points: 106, Regulation wins: 41, Playoff position: C2, Games left: 1
Colorado Avalanche (x) – Points: 102, Regulation wins: 40, Playoff position: C3, Games left: 0
Minnesota Wild (x) – Points: 97, Regulation wins: 33, Playoff position: WC1, Games left: 0
St. Louis Blues (x) – Points: 96, Regulation wins: 32, Playoff position: WC2, Games left: 0
Utah Hockey Club (e) – Points: 89, Regulation wins: 30, Playoff position: N/A, Games left: 0 Nashville Predators (e) – Points: 66, Regulation wins: 23, Playoff position: N/A, Games left: 1
Chicago Blackhawks (e) – Points: 61, Regulation wins: 20, Playoff position: N/A, Games left: 0Pacific Division
Vegas Golden Knights (y) – Points: 108, Regulation wins: 45, Playoff position: P1, Games left: 1
Los Angeles Kings (x) – Points: 105, Regulation wins: 43, Playoff position: P3, Games left: 1 Edmonton Oilers (x) – Points: 99, Regulation wins: 35, Playoff position: P2, Games left: 1
Calgary Flames (e) – Points: 94, Regulation wins: 30, Playoff position: N/A, Games left: 1 Vancouver Canucks (e) – Points: 90, Regulation wins: 28, Playoff position: N/A, Games left: 1 Anaheim Ducks (e) – Points: 79, Regulation wins: 24, Playoff position: N/A, Games left: 1
Seattle Kraken (e) – Points: 76, Regulation wins: 28, Playoff position: N/A, Games left: 0 San Jose Sharks (e) – Points: 52, Regulation wins: 14, Playoff position: N/A, Games left: 1Note: A `p` means Presidents` Trophy, `z` conference top record, `y` division title, `x` playoff berth, `e` eliminated.
Race for the No. 1 Draft Pick
The NHL draft lottery determines the first round order, so last place isn`t guaranteed No. 1. A team can move up 10 spots max. Matthew Schaefer is currently the top draft prospect.
1. San Jose Sharks – Points: 52, Regulation wins: 14 2. Chicago Blackhawks – Points: 61, Regulation wins: 20 3. Nashville Predators – Points: 66, Regulation wins: 23 4. Boston Bruins – Points: 76, Regulation wins: 26 5. Seattle Kraken – Points: 76, Regulation wins: 28 6. Philadelphia Flyers – Points: 76, Regulation wins: 21 7. Buffalo Sabres – Points: 77, Regulation wins: 28 8. Pittsburgh Penguins – Points: 78, Regulation wins: 23 9. Anaheim Ducks – Points: 79, Regulation wins: 24 10. New York Islanders – Points: 82, Regulation wins: 28 11. New York Rangers – Points: 83, Regulation wins: 34 12. Detroit Red Wings – Points: 83, Regulation wins: 29 13. Columbus Blue Jackets – Points: 87, Regulation wins: 29 14. Utah Hockey Club – Points: 89, Regulation wins: 30 15. Vancouver Canucks – Points: 90, Regulation wins: 28 16. Calgary Flames – Points: 94, Regulation wins: 30
