NHL playoff standings: Potential playoff matchups on Thursday

It’s a sometimes busy Thursday evening within the NHL, with 14 games on the schedule. And there are some absolute gems amongst these 14 contests, together with a number of that might be run again in the course of the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs.

The early window contains three video games that might happen in both the primary spherical of the Eastern Conference bracket or additional down the street:

A bit later, we’ll see a rematch of a first-round matchup from final season (that might probably be one this season as properly), because the Vegas Golden Knights take on the Winnipeg Jets (8 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+). Meanwhile, it is trying more and more seemingly that the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings will sq. off within the first spherical for a 3rd straight postseason, and people two will take the ice towards each other Thursday (9 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+).

Two of the most effective groups within the Western Conference, the division-leading Dallas Stars and Vancouver Canucks, will sq. off Thursday (10 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+), and probably once more within the Western Conference finals.

The eyes of the hockey-loving world will likely be monitoring Thursday’s important occasion: A possible Stanley Cup Final matchup between two juggernauts, because the New York Rangers go to the Colorado Avalanche (9 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+).

It’ll be a busy evening, with mathematical implications within the standings and psychological implications for doable matchups later this spring.

As we traverse the ultimate stretch of the common season, it is time to test 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 by way of Stathletes.

Jump forward:
Current playoff matchups
Thursday’s schedule
Wednesday’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 Vegas Golden Knights
C2 Colorado Avalanche vs. C3 Winnipeg Jets
P1 Vancouver Canucks vs. WC1 Nashville Predators
P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings

Thursday’s video games

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

Washington Capitals at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m.
Philadelphia Flyers at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m.
Chicago Blackhawks at Ottawa Senators, 7 p.m.
New York Islanders at Florida Panthers, 7 p.m.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Pittsburgh Penguins, 7 p.m.
Detroit Red Wings at Carolina Hurricanes, 7:30 p.m.
Calgary Flames at St. Louis Blues, 8 p.m.
San Jose Sharks at Minnesota Wild, 8 p.m.
Vegas Golden Knights at Winnipeg Jets, 8 p.m.
New York Rangers at Colorado Avalanche, 9 p.m.
Los Angeles Kings at Edmonton Oilers, 9 p.m.
Dallas Stars at Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m.
Nashville Predators at Arizona Coyotes, 10 p.m.
Anaheim Ducks at Seattle Kraken, 10 p.m.

Wednesday’s scoreboard

Ottawa Senators 6, Buffalo Sabres 2
Tampa Bay Lightning 3, Boston Bruins 1

Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

Points: 99
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff place: A1
Games left: 8
Points tempo: 110
Next sport: @ WSH (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Points: 97
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff place: A2
Games left: 10
Points tempo: 111
Next sport: vs. NYI (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Points: 89
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff place: A3
Games left: 11
Points tempo: 103
Next sport: vs. WSH (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

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

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 10
Points tempo: 90
Next sport: @ CAR (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 24.5%
Tragic quantity: 18

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

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 11
Points tempo: 76
Next sport: vs. CHI (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: ~0%
Tragic quantity: 7

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 11
Points tempo: 76
Next sport: vs. PHI (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: ~0%
Tragic quantity: 7

Metropolitan Division

Points: 100
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff place: M1
Games left: 10
Points tempo: 114
Next sport: @ COL (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Points: 97
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff place: M2
Games left: 9
Points tempo: 109
Next sport: vs. DET (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Points: 82
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff place: M3
Games left: 9
Points tempo: 92
Next sport: @ MTL (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 86.6%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff place: WC2
Games left: 11
Points tempo: 94
Next sport: @ TOR (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 65.1%
Tragic quantity: N/A

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

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 11
Points tempo: 87
Next sport: @ FLA (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 10.8%
Tragic quantity: 16

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 11
Points tempo: 83
Next sport: vs. CBJ (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 1.2%
Tragic quantity: 13

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 10
Points tempo: 66
Next sport: @ PIT (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E

Central Division

Points: 99
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff place: C1
Games left: 9
Points tempo: 111
Next sport: @ VAN (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Points: 97
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff place: C2
Games left: 10
Points tempo: 111
Next sport: vs. NYR (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Points: 94
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff place: C3
Games left: 10
Points tempo: 107
Next sport: vs. VGK (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Points: 90
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff place: WC1
Games left: 10
Points tempo: 103
Next sport: @ ARI (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.8%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 10
Points tempo: 91
Next sport: vs. CGY (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 4.3%
Tragic quantity: 14

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 11
Points tempo: 89
Next sport: vs. SJ (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 2%
Tragic quantity: 13

Points: 65
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 10
Points tempo: 74
Next sport: vs. NSH (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E

Points: 47
Regulation wins: 15
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 10
Points tempo: 54
Next sport: @ OTT (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E

Pacific Division

Points: 98
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff place: P1
Games left: 10
Points tempo: 112
Next sport: vs. DAL (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Points: 90
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff place: P2
Games left: 12
Points tempo: 105
Next sport: vs. LA (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff place: P3
Games left: 11
Points tempo: 101
Next sport: @ EDM (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.3%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Points: 86
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff place: WC2
Games left: 10
Points tempo: 98
Next sport: @ WPG (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 94.5%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 11
Points tempo: 82
Next sport: @ STL (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 0.1%
Tragic quantity: 7

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 11
Points tempo: 82
Next sport: vs. ANA (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: ~0%
Tragic quantity: 7

Points: 52
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 10
Points tempo: 59
Next sport: @ SEA (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E

Points: 40
Regulation wins: 12
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 11
Points tempo: 46
Next sport: @ MIN (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E

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

Race for the No. 1 choose

The NHL makes use of a draft lottery to find out the order of the primary spherical, so the group that finishes in final place shouldn’t be 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 time 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: 64
Regulation wins: 21

Points: 65
Regulation wins: 24

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 17

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 23

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 28

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 26

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 28

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 22

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 31

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 27

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 25

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 28

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