Saturday is packed with NHL action, featuring 11 games crucial for playoff positioning as the regular season nears its end.
Here`s a breakdown of each game and what`s at stake for the competing teams:
- Featured Games
- Buffalo Sabres at Philadelphia Flyers – 1 PM ET, NHL Network
- New York Islanders at Tampa Bay Lightning – 2 PM ET, ESPN+
- St. Louis Blues at Colorado Avalanche – 4:30 PM ET, ESPN+
- New Jersey Devils at Minnesota Wild – 6 PM ET, ESPN+
- Vegas Golden Knights at Nashville Predators – 6:30 PM ET, ESPN+
- Columbus Blue Jackets at Ottawa Senators – 7 PM ET, ESPN+
- Toronto Maple Leafs at Los Angeles Kings – 7 PM ET, ESPN+
- Boston Bruins at Detroit Red Wings – 8 PM ET, ABC/ESPN+
- Calgary Flames at Edmonton Oilers – 10 PM ET, ESPN+
- New York Rangers at San Jose Sharks – 10:30 PM ET, ESPN+
- Dallas Stars at Seattle Kraken – 10:30 PM ET, ESPN+
- Current Playoff Matchups
- Eastern Conference
- Western Conference
- Saturday`s Games Schedule
- Friday`s Scoreboard
- Expanded Standings
- Atlantic Division
- Florida Panthers
- Toronto Maple Leafs
- Tampa Bay Lightning
- Ottawa Senators
- Montreal Canadiens
- Detroit Red Wings
- Boston Bruins
- Buffalo Sabres
- Metro Division
- x – Washington Capitals
- Carolina Hurricanes
- New Jersey Devils
- Columbus Blue Jackets
- New York Rangers
- New York Islanders
- Pittsburgh Penguins
- Philadelphia Flyers
- Central Division
- x – Winnipeg Jets
- Dallas Stars
- Colorado Avalanche
- Minnesota Wild
- St. Louis Blues
- Utah Hockey Club
- e – Nashville Predators
- e – Chicago Blackhawks
- Pacific Division
- Vegas Golden Knights
- Los Angeles Kings
- Edmonton Oilers
- Vancouver Canucks
- Calgary Flames
- Anaheim Ducks
- Seattle Kraken
- e – San Jose Sharks
- Race for the No. 1 Pick
- 1. San Jose Sharks
- 2. Chicago Blackhawks
- 3. Nashville Predators
- 4. Buffalo Sabres
- 5. Philadelphia Flyers
- 6. Seattle Kraken
- 7. Pittsburgh Penguins
- 8. Boston Bruins
- 9. Anaheim Ducks
- 10. Detroit Red Wings
- 11. New York Islanders
- 12. New York Rangers
- 13. Montreal Canadiens
- 14. Utah Hockey Club
- 15. Calgary Flames
- 16. Vancouver Canucks
Featured Games
Buffalo Sabres at Philadelphia Flyers – 1 PM ET, NHL Network
While both teams face long odds for a playoff berth, this game impacts draft lottery positioning. A loss worsens a team`s chances at the top draft pick.
New York Islanders at Tampa Bay Lightning – 2 PM ET, ESPN+
This is a critical game for both teams. The Islanders are fighting for the final Eastern Conference wild card spot, while the Lightning are still in contention for the Atlantic Division title.
St. Louis Blues at Colorado Avalanche – 4:30 PM ET, ESPN+
Two of the league`s hottest teams clash. The Avalanche, likely locked into the Central Division`s No. 3 seed, will test themselves against a surging Blues team. St. Louis aims to solidify its wild-card spot and potentially overtake Minnesota.
New Jersey Devils at Minnesota Wild – 6 PM ET, ESPN+
Both the Devils and Wild are looking to maintain their playoff positions. The Devils are currently third in the Metro Division, while the Wild hold the first Western Conference wild card spot and need to fend off chasing teams.
Vegas Golden Knights at Nashville Predators – 6:30 PM ET, ESPN+
The Golden Knights are aiming for the Pacific Division title, while the Predators are near the bottom of the league standings, focusing on draft lottery positioning.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Ottawa Senators – 7 PM ET, ESPN+
A key game for playoff hopes for the Blue Jackets. They are currently in a wild-card spot but need to secure points against teams like Ottawa to solidify their position.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Los Angeles Kings – 7 PM ET, ESPN+
A potential Stanley Cup Final preview. The Maple Leafs are battling for the Atlantic Division title, and the Kings are trying to close the gap on Vegas in the Pacific Division.
Boston Bruins at Detroit Red Wings – 8 PM ET, ABC/ESPN+
A crucial game for two Original Six teams whose playoff hopes are fading. Both teams are struggling and need a win to reignite their postseason aspirations.
Calgary Flames at Edmonton Oilers – 10 PM ET, ESPN+
The final Battle of Alberta of the regular season. The Oilers are comfortably in a playoff spot, while the Flames are trying to climb into a wild-card position in the West.
New York Rangers at San Jose Sharks – 10:30 PM ET, ESPN+
The Rangers are vying for a wild-card spot in the East and desperately need a win against the Sharks, who are near the bottom of the league.
Dallas Stars at Seattle Kraken – 10:30 PM ET, ESPN+
The Stars are chasing Winnipeg for the top spot in the Central Division and are expected to win against the Kraken, who are in the draft lottery race.
The playoff races are heating up as we approach the final weeks of the NHL season. Stay tuned to track all the latest updates on playoff standings and the NHL draft lottery.
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 Columbus Blue Jackets
- 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
Saturday`s Games Schedule
- Buffalo Sabres at Philadelphia Flyers, 1 PM ET (NHLN)
- New York Islanders at Tampa Bay Lightning, 2 PM ET
- St. Louis Blues at Colorado Avalanche, 4:30 PM ET
- New Jersey Devils at Minnesota Wild, 6 PM ET
- Vegas Golden Knights at Nashville Predators, 6:30 PM ET
- Columbus Blue Jackets at Ottawa Senators, 7 PM ET
- Toronto Maple Leafs at Los Angeles Kings, 7 PM ET
- Boston Bruins at Detroit Red Wings, 8 PM ET (ABC/ESPN+)
- Calgary Flames at Edmonton Oilers, 10 PM ET
- New York Rangers at San Jose Sharks, 10:30 PM ET
- Dallas Stars at Seattle Kraken, 10:30 PM ET
Friday`s Scoreboard
- Florida Panthers 2, Utah Hockey Club 1 (OT)
- Carolina Hurricanes 4, Montreal Canadiens 1
- Columbus Blue Jackets 7, Vancouver Canucks 6 (SO)
- Winnipeg Jets 4, New Jersey Devils 0
- Vegas Golden Knights 5, Chicago Blackhawks 3
- Anaheim Ducks 5, New York Rangers 4 (OT)
Expanded Standings
Atlantic Division
Florida Panthers
Points: 91
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 10
Points pace: 103.6
Next game: vs. MTL (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Toronto Maple Leafs
Points: 90
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 10
Points pace: 102.5
Next game: @ LA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tampa Bay Lightning
Points: 89
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 10
Points pace: 101.4
Next game: vs. NYI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Ottawa Senators
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 11
Points pace: 99.6
Next game: vs. CBJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 98.1%
Montreal Canadiens
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 85.4
Next game: @ FLA (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 28.0%
Detroit Red Wings
Points: 72
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 82.0
Next game: vs. BOS (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 2.3%
Boston Bruins
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 77.5
Next game: @ DET (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Buffalo Sabres
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 76.2
Next game: @ PHI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Metro Division
x – Washington Capitals
Points: 103
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 10
Points pace: 117.3
Next game: vs. BUF (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Carolina Hurricanes
Points: 92
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 10
Points pace: 104.8
Next game: vs. NYI (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
New Jersey Devils
Points: 83
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 8
Points pace: 92.0
Next game: @ MIN (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 97.9%
Columbus Blue Jackets
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 11
Points pace: 86.6
Next game: OTT (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 28.7%
New York Rangers
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 84.3
Next game: @ SJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 18.7%
New York Islanders
Points: 74
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 85.5
Next game: @ TB (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 24.7%
Pittsburgh Penguins
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Points pace: 76.5
Next game: vs. OTT (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Philadelphia Flyers
Points: 67
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Points pace: 74.2
Next game: vs. BUF (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Central Division
x – Winnipeg Jets
Points: 104
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 9
Points pace: 116.8
Next game: vs. VAN (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Dallas Stars
Points: 98
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 10
Points pace: 111.6
Next game: @ SEA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Colorado Avalanche
Points: 93
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 9
Points pace: 104.5
Next game: vs. STL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Minnesota Wild
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 9
Points pace: 97.7
Next game: vs. NJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 96.5%
St. Louis Blues
Points: 85
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 8
Points pace: 94.2
Next game: @ COL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 89.8%
Utah Hockey Club
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 85.4
Next game: @ CHI (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0.6%
e – Nashville Predators
Points: 62
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 70.6
Next game: vs. VGK (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
e – Chicago Blackhawks
Points: 51
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 57.3
Next game: vs. UTA (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Pacific Division
Vegas Golden Knights
Points: 96
Regulation wins: 41
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 10
Points pace: 109.3
Next game: @ NSH (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Los Angeles Kings
Points: 89
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 11
Points pace: 102.8
Next game: vs. TOR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Edmonton Oilers
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 10
Points pace: 99.1
Next game: vs. CGY (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 95.9%
Vancouver Canucks
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 91.0
Next game: @ WPG (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 6.4%
Calgary Flames
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 91.2
Next game: @ EDM (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 10.8%
Anaheim Ducks
Points: 72
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 82.0
Next game: vs. TOR (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Seattle Kraken
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 76.4
Next game: vs. DAL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
e – San Jose Sharks
Points: 49
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 56.6
Next game: vs. NYR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Note: An `x` means that the team has clinched a playoff berth. An `e` means that the team has been eliminated from playoff contention.
Race for the No. 1 Pick
The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the first round order, meaning the last-place team isn`t guaranteed the top pick. A team can move up a maximum of 10 spots in the lottery. Matthew Schaefer is currently projected as the No. 1 draft pick.
1. San Jose Sharks
Points: 49
Regulation wins: 14
2. Chicago Blackhawks
Points: 51
Regulation wins: 18
3. Nashville Predators
Points: 62
Regulation wins: 23
4. Buffalo Sabres
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 24
5. Philadelphia Flyers
Points: 67
Regulation wins: 18
6. Seattle Kraken
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 25
7. Pittsburgh Penguins
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 20
8. Boston Bruins
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
9. Anaheim Ducks
Points: 72
Regulation wins: 23
10. Detroit Red Wings
Points: 72
Regulation wins: 25
11. New York Islanders
Points: 74
Regulation wins: 25
12. New York Rangers
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 31
13. Montreal Canadiens
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 24
14. Utah Hockey Club
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 24
15. Calgary Flames
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 26
16. Vancouver Canucks
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 26
