NHL playoff standings: Who will win the Central Division crown?

The race for the regular-season division titles is down to 2 groups within the Atlantic and Metro, and maybe already received by the Vancouver Canucks within the Pacific. However the Central is our focus as we speak, with two groups tied in standings factors on the high and one other simply 4 behind.

Who will finally earn the division’s No. 1 seed?

The Colorado Avalanche are within the high spot with 97 factors via 71 video games, and 38 regulation wins. In second are the Dallas Stars, with 97 factors via 72 video games and 33 regulation wins. The Winnipeg Jets are in third with 93 factors in 71 video games and 39 regulation wins. Off within the distance is our lengthy shot within the area, the Nashville Predators, who sit at 88 factors in 71 video games, with 35 regulation wins.

Colorado’s schedule down the stretch is a tricky one. After Tuesday evening’s sport towards the lottery-bound Montreal Canadiens (9 p.m. ET, NHL Energy Play on ESPN+), seven of its remaining 10 contests are towards groups presently in playoff place, and two of the opposite three are towards the Minnesota Wild, who’re on the outskirts of the wild-card race however are nonetheless enjoying arduous. The Avs are projected for 111.2 factors and have a 58.8% likelihood of taking the division, per Stathletes.

The Stars additionally get a draft lottery group for his or her opponent on Tuesday evening, as they’re going to skate towards the San Jose Sharks (10:30 p.m. ET, NHL Energy Play on ESPN+). Dallas is projected to succeed in 110.4 standings factors and has been given a 35.3% likelihood of profitable the Central. Of their remaining 9 video games past Tuesday, simply 4 are towards present playoff groups.

Though the Jets are behind the opposite two golf equipment in standings factors, their regulation wins complete might come in useful if they’ll acquire floor. After a tough swing out east, they’re again house Tuesday to host the Edmonton Oilers (8 p.m. ET, NHL Energy Play on ESPN+). After that sport, six of their last 10 video games are towards groups presently in a postseason spot, together with one apiece towards Dallas and Colorado on Apr. 11 and 13. Stathletes initiatives the Jets for 106.1 factors and offers them a 5.8% likelihood of profitable the division title.

And now, the most well liked group within the NHL. The Predators have not misplaced a sport in regulation since Feb. 15, a span of 17 straight contests with some extent. That is a pattern that may absolutely support a group in its quest for a powerful postseason slot, and Nashville can be going for 18 straight video games with not less than one level on Tuesday evening towards the Vegas Golden Knights (8 p.m. ET, NHL Energy Play on ESPN+). The Preds have been beating all method of groups in the course of the streak, however their remaining schedule occurs to be a bit lighter than these of the groups forward of them; simply three of their last 10 contests are towards present playoff groups. However, it could be fairly an unlikely end result for Nashville to win the Central title: Stathletes initiatives the Preds ending with 101.9 factors and a 0.1% likelihood of ending first within the division.

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.

Notice: Playoff chances are high by way of Stathletes.

Bounce forward:
Present playoff matchups
Clinching situations
Tuesday’s schedule
Monday’s scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 choose

Present playoff matchups

Jap Convention

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

Western Convention

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

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Clinching situations

1. The New York Rangers will clinch a playoff berth in the event that they defeat the Philadelphia Flyers in any vogue. In addition they clinch in the event that they get one level towards the Flyers and the Detroit Purple Wings lose to the Washington Capitals in any vogue or if the Purple Wings lose to the Capitals in regulation (whatever the Rangers’ end result).

2. The Florida Panthers will clinch a playoff berth in the event that they defeat the Boston Bruins in any vogue, and any of the next happens:

• The Purple Wings lose to the Capitals in any vogue

• The Flyers lose to the Rangers in regulation

• The Flyers lose to the Rangers in time beyond regulation or shootout AND the Capitals lose to the Purple Wings in regulation

Florida may clinch if it will get one level towards Boston and Detroit loses to Washington in regulation.

3. The Carolina Hurricanes will clinch a playoff berth in the event that they defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins in any vogue, and any of the next happens:

• The Purple Wings lose to the Capitals in any vogue

• The Flyers lose to the Rangers in regulation

• The Flyers lose to the Rangers in time beyond regulation or shootout AND the Capitals lose to the Purple Wings in regulation

Carolina may clinch if it will get one level towards Pittsburgh and Detroit loses to Washington in regulation.

4. The Bruins will clinch a playoff berth in the event that they defeat the Panthers in any vogue AND the Purple Wings lose to the Capitals in regulation.

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Tuesday’s video games

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

Boston Bruins at Florida Panthers, 7 p.m.
Philadelphia Flyers at New York Rangers, 7 p.m.
Carolina Hurricanes at Pittsburgh Penguins, 7 p.m.
Detroit Purple Wings at Washington Capitals, 7 p.m.
New Jersey Devils at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN+/Hulu)
Vegas Golden Knights at Nashville Predators, 8 p.m.
Edmonton Oilers at Winnipeg Jets, 8 p.m.
Calgary Flames at Chicago Blackhawks 8:30 p.m.
Montreal Canadiens at Colorado Avalanche, 9 p.m.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Arizona Coyotes, 10 p.m.
Anaheim Geese at Seattle Kraken, 10 p.m.
Dallas Stars at San Jose Sharks, 10:30 p.m.

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Monday’s scoreboard

Vegas Golden Knights 2, St. Louis Blues 1 (OT)
Los Angeles Kings 3, Vancouver Canucks 2

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Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

Factors: 97
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff place: A1
Video games left: 11
Factors tempo: 112
Subsequent sport: vs. BOS (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 97
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff place: A2
Video games left: 10
Factors tempo: 111
Subsequent sport: @ FLA (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 89
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff place: A3
Video games left: 12
Factors tempo: 104
Subsequent sport: vs. NJ (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 85
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff place: WC1
Video games left: 11
Factors tempo: 98
Subsequent sport: vs. BOS (Wednesday)
Playoff probabilities: 98.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 78
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 11
Factors tempo: 90
Subsequent sport: @ WSH (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 25.0%
Tragic quantity: 21

Factors: 73
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 10
Factors tempo: 83
Subsequent sport: vs. OTT (Wednesday)
Playoff probabilities: 1.9%
Tragic quantity: 14

Factors: 64
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 12
Factors tempo: 75
Subsequent sport: @ BUF (Wednesday)
Playoff probabilities: ~0%
Tragic quantity: 9

Factors: 64
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 12
Factors tempo: 75
Subsequent sport: @ COL (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: ~0%
Tragic quantity: 9

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Metropolitan Division

Factors: 98
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff place: M1
Video games left: 11
Factors tempo: 113
Subsequent sport: vs. PHI (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 97
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff place: M2
Video games left: 10
Factors tempo: 111
Subsequent sport: @ PIT (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 81
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff place: M3
Video games left: 10
Factors tempo: 92
Subsequent sport: @ NYR (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 85.1%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 79
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff place: WC2
Video games left: 12
Factors tempo: 93
Subsequent sport: vs. DET (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 66.7%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 75
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 11
Factors tempo: 87
Subsequent sport: @ FLA (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 13.3%
Tragic quantity: 18

Factors: 74
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 10
Factors tempo: 84
Subsequent sport: @ TOR (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 8.7%
Tragic quantity: 15

Factors: 70
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 12
Factors tempo: 82
Subsequent sport: vs. CAR (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 0.5%
Tragic quantity: 15

Factors: 58
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 11
Factors tempo: 67
Subsequent sport: @ ARI (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: ~0%
Tragic quantity: E

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Central Division

Factors: 97
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff place: C1
Video games left: 11
Factors tempo: 112
Subsequent sport: vs. MTL (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 97
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff place: C2
Video games left: 10
Factors tempo: 111
Subsequent sport: @ SJ (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 93
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff place: C3
Video games left: 11
Factors tempo: 107
Subsequent sport: vs. EDM (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 88
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff place: WC1
Video games left: 11
Factors tempo: 102
Subsequent sport: vs. VGK (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.6%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 80
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 10
Factors tempo: 91
Subsequent sport: vs. CGY (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 4.3%
Tragic quantity: 15

Factors: 77
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 11
Factors tempo: 89
Subsequent sport: vs. SJ (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 1.7%
Tragic quantity: 14

Factors: 63
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 11
Factors tempo: 73
Subsequent sport: vs. CBJ (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: ~0%
Tragic quantity: 1

Factors: 45
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 11
Factors tempo: 52
Subsequent sport: vs. CGY (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E

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Pacific Division

Factors: 98
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff place: P1
Video games left: 10
Factors tempo: 112
Subsequent sport: vs. DAL (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 88
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff place: P2
Video games left: 13
Factors tempo: 105
Subsequent sport: @ WPG (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 87
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff place: P3
Video games left: 11
Factors tempo: 101
Subsequent sport: @ EDM (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.5%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 85
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff place: WC2
Video games left: 11
Factors tempo: 98
Subsequent sport: @ NSH (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 95.0%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 71
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 12
Factors tempo: 83
Subsequent sport: @ CHI (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 0.1%
Tragic quantity: 10

Factors: 69
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 12
Factors tempo: 81
Subsequent sport: vs. ANA (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: ~0%
Tragic quantity: 8

Factors: 52
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 11
Factors tempo: 60
Subsequent sport: @ SEA (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E

Factors: 40
Regulation wins: 12
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 12
Factors tempo: 47
Subsequent sport: vs. DAL (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E

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

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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 just isn’t 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 particulars on the method may be discovered right here. Sitting No. 1 on the draft board for this summer season is Macklin Celebrini, a freshman at Boston College.

Factors: 40
Regulation wins: 12

Factors: 45
Regulation wins: 14

Factors: 52
Regulation wins: 18

Factors: 58
Regulation wins: 18

Factors: 63
Regulation wins: 23

Factors: 64
Regulation wins: 16

Factors: 64
Regulation wins: 21

Factors: 69
Regulation wins: 22

Factors: 70
Regulation wins: 25

Factors: 71
Regulation wins: 28

Factors: 73
Regulation wins: 28

Factors: 74
Regulation wins: 30

Factors: 75
Regulation wins: 22

Factors: 77
Regulation wins: 27

Factors: 78
Regulation wins: 25

Factors: 80
Regulation wins: 28

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