NHL playoff standings: Devils-Sabres Friday’s game to watch

There have been incredible nights on the NHL schedule lately, some may argue possibly even an excessive amount of motion for hockey followers to observe in a given night.

Friday is just not a kind of nights.

There is only one game on the schedule, because the New Jersey Devils go to the Buffalo Sabres (7 p.m. ET, NHL Network). This is a game that seemed to have significantly extra at stake when the schedule got here out in the summertime, however there are some notable implications for the end result.

The Devils are 5 factors behind the Washington Capitals for the East’s second wild-card spot, and 6 factors behind the Philadelphia Flyers for the No. 3 seed within the Metro Division. Notably, New Jersey has extra regulation wins than each golf equipment, so pulling even within the standings is all that is required to get into the playoffs.

Buffalo’s playoff hopes relaxation on eclipsing a batch of groups and getting the wild card, because the No. 3-seeded Atlantic membership, the Toronto Maple Leafs, are 18 factors forward.

Of course, this matchup additionally impacts the draft lottery standings, with the Sabres presently tenth and the Devils twelfth in that register. The NHL’s 4 worst groups do not seem to be in vary for both membership, however getting as excessive because the No. 5 place (presently held by the Arizona Coyotes) is in play mathematically.

As we traverse the ultimate stretch of the common season, it is time to verify in on all of the playoff races — together with the groups jockeying for place within the 2024 NHL draft lottery.

Note: Playoff chances are high through Stathletes.

Jump forward:
Current playoff matchups
Friday’s schedule
Thursday’s scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick

Current playoff matchups

Eastern Conference

A1 Boston Bruins vs. WC1 Tampa Bay Lightning
A2 Florida Panthers vs. A3 Toronto Maple Leafs
M1 New York Rangers vs. WC2 Washington Capitals
M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 Philadelphia Flyers

Western Conference

C1 Dallas Stars vs. WC2 Los Angeles Kings
C2 Colorado Avalanche vs. C3 Winnipeg Jets
P1 Vancouver Canucks vs. WC1 Nashville Predators
P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Vegas Golden Knights

Friday’s game

Note: All occasions ET. All video games not on TNT or NHL Network can be found through NHL Power Play, which is included in an ESPN+ subscription (native blackout restrictions apply).

New Jersey Devils at Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m. (NHLN)

Thursday’s scoreboard

Toronto Maple Leafs 5, Washington Capitals 1
Montreal Canadiens 4, Philadelphia Flyers 1
Ottawa Senators 2, Chicago Blackhawks 0
New York Islanders 3, Florida Panthers 2
Pittsburgh Penguins 3, Columbus Blue Jackets 2
Carolina Hurricanes 4, Detroit Red Wings 0
St. Louis Blues 5, Calgary Flames 3
Minnesota Wild 3, San Jose Sharks 1
Vegas Golden Knights 4, Winnipeg Jets 1
New York Rangers 3, Colorado Avalanche 2 (SO)
Edmonton Oilers 4, Los Angeles Kings 1
Dallas Stars 3, Vancouver Canucks 1
Arizona Coyotes 8, Nashville Predators 4
Seattle Kraken 4, Anaheim Ducks 2

Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

Points: 99
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff place: A1
Games left: 8
Points tempo: 110
Next game: @ WSH (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Points: 97
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff place: A2
Games left: 9
Points tempo: 109
Next game: vs. DET (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Points: 91
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff place: A3
Games left: 10
Points tempo: 104
Next game: @ BUF (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff place: WC1
Games left: 10
Points tempo: 99
Next game: vs. NYI (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 98.7%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 9
Points tempo: 89
Next game: @ FLA (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 24.5%
Tragic quantity: 16

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 9
Points tempo: 82
Next game: vs. NJ (Friday)
Playoff probabilities: 1.4%
Tragic quantity: 10

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 10
Points tempo: 77
Next game: @ WPG (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: ~0%
Tragic quantity: 7

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 10
Points tempo: 77
Next game: vs. CAR (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: ~0%
Tragic quantity: 7

Metropolitan Division

Points: 102
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff place: M1
Games left: 9
Points tempo: 115
Next game: @ ARI (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Points: 99
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff place: M2
Games left: 8
Points tempo: 110
Next game: @ MTL (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Points: 82
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff place: M3
Games left: 8
Points tempo: 91
Next game: vs. CHI (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 86.6%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff place: WC2
Games left: 10
Points tempo: 92
Next game: vs. BOS (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 65.1%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 10
Points tempo: 88
Next game: @ TB (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 10.8%
Tragic quantity: 16

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 9
Points tempo: 85
Next game: @ BUF (Friday)
Playoff probabilities: 11.7%
Tragic quantity: 13

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 10
Points tempo: 84
Next game: @ CBJ (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 1.2%
Tragic quantity: 13

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 9
Points tempo: 65
Next game: vs. PIT (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E

Central Division

Points: 101
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff place: C1
Games left: 8
Points tempo: 112
Next game: @ SEA (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Points: 98
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff place: C2
Games left: 9
Points tempo: 110
Next game: vs. NSH (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Points: 94
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff place: C3
Games left: 9
Points tempo: 106
Next game: vs. OTT (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Points: 90
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff place: WC1
Games left: 9
Points tempo: 101
Next game: @ COL (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.8%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Points: 82
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 9
Points tempo: 92
Next game: vs. SJ (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 4.3%
Tragic quantity: 14

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 10
Points tempo: 90
Next game: vs. VGK (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 2%
Tragic quantity: 13

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 9
Points tempo: 75
Next game: vs. NYR (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E

Points: 47
Regulation wins: 15
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 9
Points tempo: 53
Next game: @ PHI (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E

Pacific Division

Points: 98
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff place: P1
Games left: 9
Points tempo: 110
Next game: vs. ANA (Sunday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Points: 92
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff place: P2
Games left: 11
Points tempo: 106
Next game: vs. ANA (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Points: 88
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff place: P3
Games left: 9
Points tempo: 99
Next game: @ MIN (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 94.5%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff place: WC2
Games left: 10
Points tempo: 99
Next game: @ CGY (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.3%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 10
Points tempo: 83
Next game: vs. DAL (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: 7

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 10
Points tempo: 81
Next game: vs. LA (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 0.1%
Tragic quantity: 7

Points: 52
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 9
Points tempo: 58
Next game: @ EDM (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E

Points: 40
Regulation wins: 12
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 10
Points tempo: 46
Next game: @ STL (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E

p — clinched Presidents’ Trophy
y — clinched division
x — clinched playoff berth
e — eradicated from playoff rivalry

Race for the No. 1 choose

The NHL makes use of a draft lottery to decide the order of the primary spherical, so the group that finishes in final place is just not assured the No. 1 choice. As of 2021, a group can transfer up a most of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so solely 11 groups are eligible for the draw for the No. 1 choose. Full details on the process can be found here. Sitting No. 1 on the draft board for this summer season is Macklin Celebrini, a freshman at Boston University.

Points: 40
Regulation wins: 12

Points: 47
Regulation wins: 15

Points: 52
Regulation wins: 18

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 18

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 25

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 18

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 23

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 28

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 24

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 28

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 27

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 31

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 23

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 25

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 28

Points: 82
Regulation wins: 29

* The Penguins’ first-round choose was traded to the Sharks as a part of the Erik Karlsson commerce. However, it’s top-10 protected.