NHL Playoff Standings: Games to Watch on Monday

This weekend was decisive for teams aiming for the Stanley Cup playoffs. As we head into Monday`s games, 14 out of 16 playoff spots are secured, but the final seedings are still up for grabs.

With the regular season ending this Thursday, here`s a preview of what`s at stake in Monday`s six NHL games:

Chicago Blackhawks at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

Following Columbus Blue Jackets` Sunday victory, their playoff hopes remain alive for another day. A Canadiens win tonight would secure their playoff spot and eliminate the Blue Jackets. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks are guaranteed to pick second in the upcoming draft lottery.

Dallas Stars at Detroit Red Wings, 7 p.m. ET (NHL Network)

The Stars` playoff seeding is set; they will face the Avalanche in the first round at home. The Red Wings are currently positioned 11th in the draft lottery order, closely matched in points with the Rangers, slightly behind the Ducks and Penguins, and just ahead of the Islanders.

New York Rangers at Florida Panthers, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

The Rangers are in contention for a top-10 draft pick but could slip to 13th depending on their wins. The Panthers are locked into the Atlantic Division but can still overtake the Lightning for second place. They are comfortably ahead of the Senators, who cannot catch them.

Utah Hockey Club at Nashville Predators, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

These teams are near opposite ends of the draft lottery; Utah at 14th and Nashville at 3rd. Nashville`s draft position is fixed at No. 3. Utah could potentially improve to 13th or drop to 15th in the draft order.

Los Angeles Kings at Edmonton Oilers, 10 p.m. ET (ESPN+, NHL Network)

This matchup is a preview of the Pacific Division`s No. 2 versus No. 3 playoff series, with home-ice advantage at stake. The Kings are currently second with 101 points, while the Oilers are close behind. A regulation win is crucial for the Oilers to gain ground.

San Jose Sharks at Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

The final game of the night features two lottery-bound teams. The Sharks have already clinched the No. 1 lottery pick, while the Canucks are currently 15th. The Canucks could potentially move up to 14th or down to 16th in the lottery standings.

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. St. Louis Blues
• Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche
• Vegas Golden Knights vs. Minnesota Wild
• Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers

Monday`s Games

• Chicago Blackhawks at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m. ET
• Dallas Stars at Detroit Red Wings, 7 p.m. ET (NHL Network)
• New York Rangers at Florida Panthers, 7 p.m. ET
• Utah Hockey Club at Nashville Predators, 8 p.m. ET
• Los Angeles Kings at Edmonton Oilers, 10 p.m. ET
• San Jose Sharks at Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m. ET

Sunday`s Scoreboard

• Ottawa Senators 4, Philadelphia Flyers 3 (OT)
• New York Islanders 1, New Jersey Devils 0
• Boston Bruins 4, Pittsburgh Penguins 1
• Toronto Maple Leafs 4, Carolina Hurricanes 1
• Tampa Bay Lightning 7, Buffalo Sabres 4
• Columbus Blue Jackets 4, Washington Capitals 1
• Edmonton Oilers 4, Winnipeg Jets 1
• Calgary Flames 5, San Jose Sharks 2
• Colorado Avalanche 4, Anaheim Ducks 2

Expanded Standings

Atlantic Division

x – Toronto Maple Leafs
Points: 104 | Regulation wins: 40

x – Tampa Bay Lightning
Points: 100 | Regulation wins: 40

x – Florida Panthers
Points: 98 | Regulation wins: 37

x – Ottawa Senators
Points: 94 | Regulation wins: 34

Montreal Canadiens
Points: 88 | Regulation wins: 29

e – Detroit Red Wings
Points: 81 | Regulation wins: 29

e – Buffalo Sabres
Points: 77 | Regulation wins: 28

e – Boston Bruins
Points: 75 | Regulation wins: 26

Metro Division

z – Washington Capitals
Points: 109 | Regulation wins: 42

x – Carolina Hurricanes
Points: 99 | Regulation wins: 42

x – New Jersey Devils
Points: 89 | Regulation wins: 36

Columbus Blue Jackets
Points: 85 | Regulation wins: 28

e – New York Islanders
Points: 82 | Regulation wins: 28

e – New York Rangers
Points: 81 | Regulation wins: 33

e – Pittsburgh Penguins
Points: 78 | Regulation wins: 23

e – Philadelphia Flyers
Points: 76 | Regulation wins: 21

Central Division

p – Winnipeg Jets
Points: 114 | Regulation wins: 43

x – Dallas Stars
Points: 106 | Regulation wins: 41

x – Colorado Avalanche
Points: 102 | Regulation wins: 40

Minnesota Wild
Points: 95 | Regulation wins: 33

St. Louis Blues
Points: 94 | Regulation wins: 31

e – Utah Hockey Club
Points: 87 | Regulation wins: 29

e – Nashville Predators
Points: 66 | Regulation wins: 23

e – Chicago Blackhawks
Points: 57 | Regulation wins: 20

Pacific Division

y – Vegas Golden Knights
Points: 107 | Regulation wins: 45

x – Los Angeles Kings
Points: 101 | Regulation wins: 41

x – Edmonton Oilers
Points: 99 | Regulation wins: 35

Calgary Flames
Points: 92 | Regulation wins: 30

e – Vancouver Canucks
Points: 88 | Regulation wins: 28

e – Anaheim Ducks
Points: 78 | Regulation wins: 24

e – Seattle Kraken
Points: 76 | Regulation wins: 28

e – San Jose Sharks
Points: 51 | Regulation wins: 14

Race for the No. 1 Pick

The NHL Draft Lottery determines the first-round order, giving only the bottom 11 teams a chance at the top pick. Matthew Schaefer is currently projected as the No. 1 draft prospect.

1. San Jose Sharks
Points: 51 | Regulation wins: 14

2. Chicago Blackhawks
Points: 57 | Regulation wins: 20

3. Nashville Predators
Points: 66 | Regulation wins: 23

4. Boston Bruins
Points: 75 | 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: 78 | Regulation wins: 24

10. New York Rangers
Points: 81 | Regulation wins: 33

11. Detroit Red Wings
Points: 81 | Regulation wins: 29

12. New York Islanders
Points: 82 | Regulation wins: 28

13. Columbus Blue Jackets
Points: 85 | Regulation wins: 28

14. Utah Hockey Club
Points: 87 | Regulation wins: 29

15. Vancouver Canucks
Points: 88 | Regulation wins: 28

16. Calgary Flames
Points: 92 | Regulation wins: 30