Saturday NHL Games: Playoff Scenarios and Matchups to Watch

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Saturday is packed with NHL action, featuring 13 games that will significantly impact playoff standings and draft lottery positions. Let`s break down each matchup and what`s at stake for each team as the regular season nears its end.

Contents
  1. Game Previews
  2. New York Rangers at New Jersey Devils
  3. Florida Panthers at Ottawa Senators
  4. Pittsburgh Penguins at Dallas Stars
  5. Anaheim Ducks at Vancouver Canucks
  6. Edmonton Oilers at Los Angeles Kings
  7. Carolina Hurricanes at Boston Bruins
  8. Tampa Bay Lightning at Buffalo Sabres
  9. Columbus Blue Jackets at Toronto Maple Leafs
  10. Philadelphia Flyers at Montreal Canadiens
  11. Colorado Avalanche at St. Louis Blues
  12. Winnipeg Jets at Utah Hockey Club
  13. Vegas Golden Knights at Calgary Flames
  14. Seattle Kraken at San Jose Sharks
  15. Current Playoff Matchups
  16. Eastern Conference
  17. Western Conference
  18. Saturday`s Games
  19. Friday`s Scoreboard
  20. Atlantic Division Standings
  21. Metro Division Standings
  22. Central Division Standings
  23. Pacific Division Standings
  24. Race for the No. 1 Pick in NHL Draft

Game Previews

New York Rangers at New Jersey Devils

12:30 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN+)

The rivalry between the Rangers and Devils is always intense, especially with playoff implications. The Devils currently hold a lead over the Rangers, making this a critical game for the Rangers as they chase a wild card spot.

Florida Panthers at Ottawa Senators

2 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

This game could be a first-round playoff preview if the Panthers secure the top spot in their division. For now, it`s their final regular-season meeting. Unfortunately, a Tkachuk sibling rivalry won`t be on display due to Matthew Tkachuk`s injury.

Pittsburgh Penguins at Dallas Stars

3 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN+)

The Penguins are still in the playoff hunt, but their chances are slim. They need a significant win streak and help from other teams faltering. The Stars, already playoff-bound, are aiming to improve their seeding in the Central Division.

Anaheim Ducks at Vancouver Canucks

4 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

The Ducks are out of playoff contention and focused on the draft lottery. The Canucks` playoff hopes are fading, making this game crucial for draft positioning for Anaheim.

Edmonton Oilers at Los Angeles Kings

4 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

These teams have a recent playoff history, with the Oilers winning past series. This game could set the tone if they meet again in the playoffs.

Carolina Hurricanes at Boston Bruins

7 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

The Hurricanes have clinched a playoff berth and are likely to secure the second seed in their division. The Bruins are on the verge of missing the playoffs for the first time in years and are currently in the draft lottery conversation.

Tampa Bay Lightning at Buffalo Sabres

7 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

The Lightning have been strong recently and are aiming for the top spot in their division. The Sabres are likely missing the playoffs again and are positioned in the draft lottery.

Columbus Blue Jackets at Toronto Maple Leafs

7 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

The Blue Jackets are still in the wild card race and need points. The Maple Leafs are leading their division and could face the Senators in the first round if standings hold.

Philadelphia Flyers at Montreal Canadiens

7 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

The Canadiens are surprisingly holding a wild card spot, while the Flyers are in the draft lottery range. This game is important for Montreal to maintain their playoff position.

Colorado Avalanche at St. Louis Blues

7 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

While not a first-round preview, these hot teams could meet later in the playoffs. The Blues have moved into a wild card spot, and the Avalanche are secure in their division seeding.

Winnipeg Jets at Utah Hockey Club

7 p.m. ET (NHLN)

Utah`s competitiveness this late in the season is a positive story. They are on the fringe of playoff contention, while the Jets are competing for the Presidents` Trophy as the league`s top team.

Vegas Golden Knights at Calgary Flames

10 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

The Golden Knights` division lead has shrunk, with the Kings closing in. Calgary is trying to make a push for the final wild card spot in the West.

Seattle Kraken at San Jose Sharks

10 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

This game is crucial for draft lottery standings. The Sharks are currently in the best position for the top pick, while the Kraken are in the draft lottery mix. A win for either team can shift the standings.

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

Saturday`s Games

Note: All times ET. Games on ESPN+ are subject to local blackout restrictions.

  • New York Rangers at New Jersey Devils, 12:30 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)
  • Florida Panthers at Ottawa Senators, 2 p.m. (ESPN+)
  • Pittsburgh Penguins at Dallas Stars, 3 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)
  • Anaheim Ducks at Vancouver Canucks, 4 p.m. (ESPN+)
  • Edmonton Oilers at Los Angeles Kings, 4 p.m. (ESPN+)
  • Carolina Hurricanes at Boston Bruins, 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
  • Tampa Bay Lightning at Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
  • Columbus Blue Jackets at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
  • Philadelphia Flyers at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
  • Colorado Avalanche at St. Louis Blues, 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
  • Winnipeg Jets at Utah Hockey Club, 7 p.m. (NHLN)
  • Vegas Golden Knights at Calgary Flames, 10 p.m. (ESPN+)
  • Seattle Kraken at San Jose Sharks, 10 p.m. (ESPN+)

Friday`s Scoreboard

  • Detroit Red Wings 5, Carolina Hurricanes 3
  • Washington Capitals 5, Chicago Blackhawks 3
  • New York Islanders 3, Minnesota Wild 1

Atlantic Division Standings

Team Points Regulation Wins Playoff Position Next Game Playoff Chances
Toronto Maple Leafs (x) 96 38 A1 vs. CBJ (Saturday) 100%
Tampa Bay Lightning 93 38 A2 @ BUF (Saturday) 99.9%
Florida Panthers 92 35 A3 @ OTT (Saturday) 99.9%
Ottawa Senators 86 31 WC1 vs. FLA (Saturday) 99.6%
Montreal Canadiens 81 26 WC2 vs. PHI (Saturday) 61.1%
Detroit Red Wings 77 27 N/A vs. FLA (Sunday) 2.4%
Buffalo Sabres 70 26 N/A vs. TB (Saturday) 0.1%
Boston Bruins 69 23 N/A vs. CAR (Saturday) ~0%

Metro Division Standings

Team Points Regulation Wins Playoff Position Next Game Playoff Chances
Washington Capitals (x) 107 42 M1 @ NYI (Sunday) 100%
Carolina Hurricanes (x) 96 41 M2 @ BOS (Saturday) 100%
New Jersey Devils 87 35 M3 vs. NYR (Saturday) 99.7%
New York Rangers 79 32 N/A @ NJ (Saturday) 24.1%
Columbus Blue Jackets 77 24 N/A @ TOR (Saturday) 10.5%
New York Islanders 76 26 N/A vs. WSH (Sunday) 2.7%
Pittsburgh Penguins 72 20 N/A @ DAL (Saturday) 0.1%
Philadelphia Flyers 71 20 N/A @ MTL (Saturday) ~0%

Central Division Standings

Team Points Regulation Wins Playoff Position Next Game Playoff Chances
Winnipeg Jets (x) 108 41 C1 @ UTA (Saturday) 100%
Dallas Stars (x) 104 41 C2 vs. PIT (Saturday) 100%
Colorado Avalanche (x) 98 39 C3 @ STL (Saturday) 100%
St. Louis Blues 91 30 WC1 vs. COL (Saturday) 97.5%
Minnesota Wild 89 33 WC2 vs. DAL (Sunday) 92.1%
Utah Hockey Club 80 26 N/A vs. WPG (Saturday) 0.1%
Nashville Predators (e) 62 23 N/A vs. MTL (Sunday) 0%
Chicago Blackhawks (e) 52 18 N/A vs. PIT (Sunday) 0%

Pacific Division Standings

Team Points Regulation Wins Playoff Position Next Game Playoff Chances
Vegas Golden Knights (x) 98 42 P1 @ CGY (Saturday) 100%
Los Angeles Kings 95 38 P3 vs. EDM (Saturday) 99.9%
Edmonton Oilers 93 32 P2 @ LA (Saturday) 99.9%
Calgary Flames 84 27 N/A vs. VGK (Saturday) 9.7%
Vancouver Canucks 81 26 N/A vs. ANA (Saturday) 0.7%
Anaheim Ducks (e) 74 23 N/A @ ANA (Saturday) 0%
Seattle Kraken (e) 70 26 N/A @ SJ (Saturday) 0%
San Jose Sharks (e) 50 14 N/A vs. SEA (Saturday) 0%

Note: `x` – clinched playoff berth, `e` – eliminated from playoff contention.

Race for the No. 1 Pick in NHL Draft

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 in the lottery. Matthew Schaefer is currently ranked as the top prospect.

Rank Team Points Regulation Wins
1. San Jose Sharks 50 14
2. Chicago Blackhawks 52 18
3. Nashville Predators 62 23
4. Boston Bruins 69 23
5. Seattle Kraken 70 26
6. Buffalo Sabres 70 26
7. Philadelphia Flyers 71 20
8. Pittsburgh Penguins 72 20
9. Anaheim Ducks 74 23
10. New York Islanders 76 26
11. Detroit Red Wings 77 27
12. Columbus Blue Jackets 77 24
13. New York Rangers 79 32
14. Utah Hockey Club 80 26
15. Vancouver Canucks 81 26
16. Calgary Flames 84 27
Caspian Holt
Caspian Holt

Caspian Holt calls Manchester, England, home. As a dedicated journalist, he dives into sports news—think golf majors, athletics, or hockey clashes. Caspian’s knack for uncovering hidden angles keeps readers hooked. His lively style turns stats into stories, connecting with fans across the board.

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