The NHL playoff picture is becoming clearer as teams battle for their postseason berths. After a surprising shootout win by the Chicago Blackhawks against the Montreal Canadiens, the Columbus Blue Jackets are still in contention for the final Eastern Conference wild card spot. In the Western Conference, the wild card race remains tight between the Minnesota Wild, St. Louis Blues, and Calgary Flames, all of whom are playing crucial games on Tuesday.
Here’s a preview of Tuesday`s pivotal matchups:
Tuesday`s Games Schedule
New Jersey Devils at Boston Bruins, 7 p.m. ET
The Devils are preparing for their first-round playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes. Meanwhile, the Bruins are currently positioned fourth in the draft lottery standings.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m. ET
The Maple Leafs are close to securing the Atlantic Division title. The Sabres, despite a strong finish to the season, are in the draft lottery.
Chicago Blackhawks at Ottawa Senators, 7 p.m. ET
The Blackhawks are locked into the No. 2 spot in the draft lottery. The Senators are set to face the Atlantic Division champions in the first round of the playoffs.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Philadelphia Flyers, 7 p.m. ET
The Blue Jackets still have a slim chance at a playoff spot, needing wins and a Canadiens loss. The Flyers are in the middle of the draft lottery positioning.
Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
These in-state rivals are likely to meet in the first round of the playoffs, making this game potentially a preview of that series.
Washington Capitals at New York Islanders, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
The Eastern Conference`s top seed Capitals face the Islanders, who are in the draft lottery range.
Utah Hockey Club at St. Louis Blues, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
The Blues can clinch a playoff spot with a win and a Flames loss. Utah is heading to the draft lottery in their inaugural season.
Anaheim Ducks at Minnesota Wild, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
The Wild can secure a playoff spot with a win, regardless of the Flames` result. The Ducks are positioned in the draft lottery.
Vegas Golden Knights at Calgary Flames, 9 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
Every game is critical for the Flames as they fight for a playoff spot. The Golden Knights are locked in as the Pacific Division`s top seed.
Los Angeles Kings at Seattle Kraken, 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
The Kings have secured home-ice advantage for their first-round series against the Oilers. Seattle is also in the draft lottery discussion.
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
Yesterday`s Scores (Monday)
- Chicago Blackhawks 4, Montreal Canadiens 3 (SO)
- Detroit Red Wings 6, Dallas Stars 4
- New York Rangers 5, Florida Panthers 3
- Utah Hockey Club 7, Nashville Predators 3
- Los Angeles Kings 5, Edmonton Oilers 0
- Vancouver Canucks 2, San Jose Sharks 1 (OT)
NHL Standings by Division
Atlantic Division
- x – Toronto Maple Leafs (Points: 104)
- x – Tampa Bay Lightning (Points: 100)
- x – Florida Panthers (Points: 98)
- x – Ottawa Senators (Points: 94)
- Montreal Canadiens (Points: 89)
- e – Detroit Red Wings (Points: 83)
- e – Buffalo Sabres (Points: 77)
- e – Boston Bruins (Points: 75)
Metropolitan Division
- z – Washington Capitals (Points: 109)
- x – Carolina Hurricanes (Points: 99)
- x – New Jersey Devils (Points: 89)
- Columbus Blue Jackets (Points: 85)
- e – New York Rangers (Points: 83)
- e – New York Islanders (Points: 82)
- e – Pittsburgh Penguins (Points: 78)
- e – Philadelphia Flyers (Points: 76)
Central Division
- p – Winnipeg Jets (Points: 114)
- x – Dallas Stars (Points: 106)
- x – Colorado Avalanche (Points: 102)
- Minnesota Wild (Points: 95)
- St. Louis Blues (Points: 94)
- e – Utah Hockey Club (Points: 89)
- e – Nashville Predators (Points: 66)
- e – Chicago Blackhawks (Points: 59)
Pacific Division
- y – Vegas Golden Knights (Points: 107)
- x – Los Angeles Kings (Points: 103)
- x – Edmonton Oilers (Points: 99)
- Calgary Flames (Points: 92)
- e – Vancouver Canucks (Points: 90)
- e – Anaheim Ducks (Points: 78)
- e – Seattle Kraken (Points: 76)
- e – San Jose Sharks (Points: 52)
Note: A `p` means Presidents` Trophy, `z` top conference 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, with a maximum 10-spot jump possible. Matthew Schaefer is currently the top-ranked draft prospect.
- 1. San Jose Sharks (Points: 52)
- 2. Chicago Blackhawks (Points: 59)
- 3. Nashville Predators (Points: 66)
- 4. Boston Bruins (Points: 75)
- 5. Seattle Kraken (Points: 76)
- 6. Philadelphia Flyers (Points: 76)
- 7. Buffalo Sabres (Points: 77)
- 8. Pittsburgh Penguins (Points: 78)
- 9. Anaheim Ducks (Points: 78)
- 10. New York Islanders (Points: 82)
- 11. New York Rangers (Points: 83)
- 12. Detroit Red Wings (Points: 83)
- 13. Columbus Blue Jackets (Points: 85)
- 14. Utah Hockey Club (Points: 89)
- 15. Vancouver Canucks (Points: 90)
- 16. Calgary Flames (Points: 92)
