Saturday in the NHL offers a packed schedule with 14 games, starting from 1 p.m. ET to 10:30 p.m. ET. Here`s a breakdown of what each game means for the teams involved:
- Vancouver Canucks at New York Rangers, 1 p.m., NHL Network
- Philadelphia Flyers at Dallas Stars, 2 p.m., ESPN+
- Buffalo Sabres at Minnesota Wild, 2 p.m., ESPN+
- Chicago Blackhawks at St. Louis Blues, 3 p.m., ESPN+
- Calgary Flames at New York Islanders, 4 p.m., ESPN+
- Carolina Hurricanes at Los Angeles Kings, 4 p.m., ESPN+
- Florida Panthers at Washington Capitals, 5 p.m., ESPN+
- Tampa Bay Lightning at Utah Hockey Club, 5 p.m., ESPN+
- Colorado Avalanche at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m., ESPN+
- Ottawa Senators at New Jersey Devils, 7 p.m., ESPN+
- Toronto Maple Leafs at Nashville Predators, 7 p.m., ESPN+
- Detroit Red Wings at Vegas Golden Knights, 8 p.m., ABC/ESPN+
- Seattle Kraken at Edmonton Oilers, 10 p.m., ESPN+
- Boston Bruins at San Jose Sharks, 10:30 p.m., ESPN+
- Current Playoff Matchups
- Eastern Conference
- Western Conference
- Saturday`s Games
- Friday`s Scoreboard
- Atlantic Division Standings
- Metro Division Standings
- Central Division Standings
- Pacific Division Standings
- Race for the No. 1 Pick
Vancouver Canucks at New York Rangers, 1 p.m., NHL Network
After losing to the Blues, the Canucks are looking to reclaim a wild-card spot in the West. The Rangers aim to avoid a rare miss of the playoffs after winning the Presidents` Trophy the previous season.
Philadelphia Flyers at Dallas Stars, 2 p.m., ESPN+
The Flyers are focused on improving their draft lottery position. The Stars are chasing the Jets for the Central Division lead and need wins like this to close the gap.
Buffalo Sabres at Minnesota Wild, 2 p.m., ESPN+
The Sabres are out of playoff contention again, hoping for a better next season. The Wild are trying to solidify their wild-card spot and potentially move up in the Central Division.
Chicago Blackhawks at St. Louis Blues, 3 p.m., ESPN+
The Blues have an easy schedule ahead, starting with this game against the weaker Blackhawks, who are now playing for draft lottery positioning.
Calgary Flames at New York Islanders, 4 p.m., ESPN+
The Flames are trying to stay in the Western wild-card race, helped by rookie goalie Dustin Wolf. The Islanders have quietly entered the Eastern wild-card conversation.
Carolina Hurricanes at Los Angeles Kings, 4 p.m., ESPN+
Both the Hurricanes and Kings are almost certain for the playoffs, but this game could be a potential Stanley Cup Final preview.
Florida Panthers at Washington Capitals, 5 p.m., ESPN+
The Panthers, leading the Atlantic, and the Capitals, recent Metro Division champs, could be on a collision course for the conference finals. This game is a potential preview.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Utah Hockey Club, 5 p.m., ESPN+
The Lightning, after trade deadline acquisitions, are likely playoff bound again. The new Utah Hockey Club is trying to make a playoff push in their inaugural season.
Colorado Avalanche at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m., ESPN+
The Avalanche are expected to make the playoffs. The Canadiens are surprisingly holding a wild-card spot, making every game crucial.
Ottawa Senators at New Jersey Devils, 7 p.m., ESPN+
The Senators and Devils face off in a potential conference finals preview, based on Senators` last playoff run. The Devils are holding onto their Metro Division third spot despite injuries.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Nashville Predators, 7 p.m., ESPN+
The Predators are looking towards the draft lottery. The Maple Leafs are competing for the top spot in the Atlantic Division.
Detroit Red Wings at Vegas Golden Knights, 8 p.m., ABC/ESPN+
The Red Wings are trying to get back into the playoff race. The Golden Knights are aiming to extend their Pacific Division lead over the Oilers.
Seattle Kraken at Edmonton Oilers, 10 p.m., ESPN+
The Oilers are avoiding a Stanley Cup runner-up slump and deciding their preferred first-round opponent. The Kraken are evaluating players for next season.
Boston Bruins at San Jose Sharks, 10:30 p.m., ESPN+
This game lacks playoff implications. The Sharks are eliminated, and the Bruins` playoff hopes are slim.
The regular season continues until April 17th. The following sections provide current playoff matchups, Saturday`s schedule, Friday`s scores, expanded standings, and the race for the No. 1 draft pick.
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
Saturday`s Games
Note: All times ET. Games on ESPN+ (local blackout restrictions apply).
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.
Friday`s Scoreboard
Pittsburgh Penguins 6, Columbus Blue Jackets 3
Atlantic Division Standings
| Team | Points | Regulation Wins | Playoff Position | Next Game | Playoff Chances |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Florida Panthers |
87 | 35 | A1 | @ WSH (Saturday) | 99.9% |
|
Toronto Maple Leafs |
87 | 34 | A2 | @ NSH (Saturday) | 99.9% |
|
Tampa Bay Lightning |
85 | 34 | A3 | @ UTA (Saturday) | 99.9% |
|
Ottawa Senators |
77 | 27 | WC1 | @ NJ (Saturday) | 95.4% |
|
Montreal Canadiens |
74 | 24 | WC2 | vs. COL (Saturday) | 43.3% |
|
Detroit Red Wings |
70 | 24 | N/A | @ VGK (Saturday) | 5.7% |
|
Boston Bruins |
69 | 23 | N/A | @ SJ (Saturday) | 1.3% |
|
Buffalo Sabres |
60 | 21 | N/A | @ MIN (Saturday) | ~0% |
Metro Division Standings
| Team | Points | Regulation Wins | Playoff Position | Next Game | Playoff Chances |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
x – Washington Capitals |
100 | 39 | M1 | vs. FLA (Saturday) | 99.9% |
|
Carolina Hurricanes |
88 | 37 | M2 | @ LA (Saturday) | 99.9% |
|
New Jersey Devils |
80 | 33 | M3 | vs. OTT (Saturday) | 95.3% |
|
New York Islanders |
72 | 25 | N/A | vs. CGY (Saturday) | 24.8% |
|
New York Rangers |
72 | 30 | N/A | vs. VAN (Saturday) | 18.2% |
 Columbus Blue Jackets |
71 | 23 | N/A | @ NYI (Monday) | 15.9% |
 Pittsburgh Penguins |
68 | 20 | N/A | @ FLA (Sunday) | 0.1% |
|
Philadelphia Flyers |
64 | 17 | N/A | @ DAL (Saturday) | 0.1% |
Central Division Standings
| Team | Points | Regulation Wins | Playoff Position | Next Game | Playoff Chances |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Winnipeg Jets |
100 | 38 | C1 | vs. BUF (Sunday) | 99.9% |
|
Dallas Stars |
90 | 35 | C2 | vs. PHI (Saturday) | 99.9% |
|
Colorado Avalanche |
87 | 36 | C3 | @ MTL (Saturday) | 99.9% |
|
Minnesota Wild |
83 | 31 | WC1 | vs. BUF (Saturday) | 93.8% |
|
St. Louis Blues |
77 | 25 | WC2 | vs. CHI (Saturday) | 56.5% |
|
Utah Hockey Club |
73 | 23 | N/A | vs. TB (Saturday) | 12.5% |
|
Nashville Predators |
58 | 21 | N/A | vs. TOR (Saturday) | ~0% |
|
e – Chicago Blackhawks |
49 | 17 | N/A | @ STL (Saturday) | 0% |
Pacific Division Standings
| Team | Points | Regulation Wins | Playoff Position | Next Game | Playoff Chances |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Vegas Golden Knights |
88 | 37 | P1 | vs. DET (Saturday) | 99.9% |
|
Edmonton Oilers |
85 | 29 | P2 | vs. SEA (Saturday) | 99.6% |
|
Los Angeles Kings |
83 | 32 | P3 | vs. CAR (Saturday) | 99.6% |
|
Vancouver Canucks |
76 | 25 | N/A | @ NYR (Saturday) | 21.3% |
|
Calgary Flames |
75 | 26 | N/A | @ NYI (Saturday) | 16.8% |
 Anaheim Ducks |
68 | 22 | N/A | vs. CAR (Sunday) | 0.1% |
|
Seattle Kraken |
65 | 24 | N/A | @ EDM (Saturday) | ~0% |
|
e – San Jose Sharks |
45 | 13 | N/A | vs. BOS (Saturday) | 0% |
Race for the No. 1 Pick
The NHL draft lottery determines the first-round order. A team can move up a maximum of 10 spots in the lottery. Matthew Schaefer is currently projected as the No. 1 pick.
| Rank | Team | Points | Regulation Wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. |
San Jose Sharks |
45 | 13 |
| 2. |
Chicago Blackhawks |
49 | 17 |
| 3. |
Nashville Predators |
58 | 21 |
| 4. |
Buffalo Sabres |
60 | 21 |
| 5. |
Philadelphia Flyers |
64 | 17 |
| 6. |
Seattle Kraken |
65 | 24 |
| 7. |
Pittsburgh Penguins |
68 | 20 |
| 8. |
Anaheim Ducks |
68 | 22 |
| 9. |
Boston Bruins |
69 | 23 |
| 10. |
Detroit Red Wings |
70 | 24 |
| 11. |
Columbus Blue Jackets |
71 | 23 |
