NHL playoff standings: Potential playoff matchups on Thursday

It is a sometimes busy Thursday night time within the NHL, with 14 video games on the schedule. And there are some absolute gems amongst these 14 contests, together with a number of that may very well 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 Japanese Convention bracket or additional down the street:

A bit of later, we’ll see a rematch of a first-round matchup from final season (that might doubtlessly be one this season as properly), because the Vegas Golden Knights tackle the Winnipeg Jets (8 p.m. ET, NHL Energy Play on ESPN+). In the meantime, it is trying more and more probably 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 Energy Play on ESPN+).

Two of the very best groups within the Western Convention, the division-leading Dallas Stars and Vancouver Canucks, will sq. off Thursday (10 p.m. ET, NHL Energy Play on ESPN+), and doubtlessly once more within the Western Convention finals.

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

It will be a busy night time, with mathematical implications within the standings and psychological implications for potential matchups later this spring.

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

Be aware: Playoff chances are high through Stathletes.

Bounce forward:
Present playoff matchups
Clinching eventualities
Thursday’s schedule
Wednesday’s scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 decide

Present playoff matchups

Japanese Convention

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 Convention

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

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Clinching eventualities

1. The Florida Panthers will clinch a playoff berth in the event that they defeat the New York Islanders in any trend. They may even clinch in the event that they lose in additional time or shootout AND both the Detroit Crimson Wings lose to the Carolina Hurricanes in any trend or the Philadelphia Flyers lose to the Montreal Canadiens in regulation. The Panthers may even clinch if the Crimson Wings lose to the Hurricanes in regulation.

2. The Hurricanes will clinch a playoff berth in the event that they win in any trend towards the Crimson Wings. The Canes may even clinch in the event that they lose in additional time or shootout AND the Flyers lose to the Canadiens in regulation.

3. The Boston Bruins will clinch a playoff berth if the Crimson Wings lose to the Canes in any trend OR the Flyers lose to the Canadiens in regulation.

4. The Dallas Stars will clinch a playoff berth in the event that they win towards the Vancouver Canucks in any trend. They may even clinch a berth in the event that they lose in additional time or shootout AND

5. The Canucks will clinch a playoff berth in the event that they win towards the Stars in any trend. They will additionally qualify for the postseason in the event that they lose in additional time or shootout AND

6. The Colorado Avalanche will clinch a playoff berth with a win of any type towards the New York Rangers coupled with a Blues lack of any type. They will additionally qualify with an additional time or shootout loss paired with a Wild lack of any trend AND a Blues loss in regulation.

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Thursday’s video games

Be aware: All occasions ET. All video games not on TNT or NHL Community can be found through NHL Energy 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 Crimson 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 Geese at Seattle Kraken, 10 p.m.

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Wednesday’s scoreboard

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

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Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

Factors: 99
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff place: A1
Video games left: 8
Factors tempo: 110
Subsequent sport: @ WSH (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 97
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff place: A2
Video games left: 10
Factors tempo: 111
Subsequent sport: vs. NYI (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 89
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff place: A3
Video games left: 11
Factors tempo: 103
Subsequent sport: vs. WSH (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 87
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff place: WC1
Video games left: 10
Factors tempo: 99
Subsequent sport: vs. NYI (Saturday)
Playoff probabilities: 98.7%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 79
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 10
Factors tempo: 90
Subsequent sport: @ CAR (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 24.5%
Tragic quantity: 18

Factors: 73
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 9
Factors tempo: 82
Subsequent sport: vs. NJ (Friday)
Playoff probabilities: 1.4%
Tragic quantity: 10

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

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

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Metropolitan Division

Factors: 100
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff place: M1
Video games left: 10
Factors tempo: 114
Subsequent sport: @ COL (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 97
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff place: M2
Video games left: 9
Factors tempo: 109
Subsequent sport: vs. DET (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 82
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff place: M3
Video games left: 9
Factors tempo: 92
Subsequent sport: @ MTL (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 86.6%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 81
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff place: WC2
Video games left: 11
Factors tempo: 94
Subsequent sport: @ TOR (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 65.1%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 76
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 9
Factors tempo: 85
Subsequent sport: @ BUF (Friday)
Playoff probabilities: 11.7%
Tragic quantity: 13

Factors: 75
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 11
Factors tempo: 87
Subsequent sport: @ FLA (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 10.8%
Tragic quantity: 16

Factors: 72
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 11
Factors tempo: 83
Subsequent sport: vs. CBJ (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 1.2%
Tragic quantity: 13

Factors: 58
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 10
Factors tempo: 66
Subsequent sport: @ PIT (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E

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Central Division

Factors: 99
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff place: C1
Video games left: 9
Factors tempo: 111
Subsequent sport: @ VAN (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 97
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff place: C2
Video games left: 10
Factors tempo: 111
Subsequent sport: vs. NYR (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 94
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff place: C3
Video games left: 10
Factors tempo: 107
Subsequent sport: vs. VGK (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 90
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff place: WC1
Video games left: 10
Factors tempo: 103
Subsequent sport: @ ARI (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.8%
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: 14

Factors: 77
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 11
Factors tempo: 89
Subsequent sport: vs. SJ (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 2%
Tragic quantity: 13

Factors: 65
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 10
Factors tempo: 74
Subsequent sport: vs. NSH (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E

Factors: 47
Regulation wins: 15
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 10
Factors tempo: 54
Subsequent sport: @ OTT (Thursday)
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: 90
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff place: P2
Video games left: 12
Factors tempo: 105
Subsequent sport: vs. LA (Thursday)
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: 99.3%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 86
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff place: WC2
Video games left: 10
Factors tempo: 98
Subsequent sport: @ WPG (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 94.5%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Factors: 71
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 11
Factors tempo: 82
Subsequent sport: @ STL (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 0.1%
Tragic quantity: 7

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

Factors: 52
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 10
Factors tempo: 59
Subsequent sport: @ SEA (Thursday)
Playoff probabilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E

Factors: 40
Regulation wins: 12
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 11
Factors tempo: 46
Subsequent sport: @ MIN (Thursday)
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 decide

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 decide. Full particulars on the method will 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: 47
Regulation wins: 15

Factors: 52
Regulation wins: 18

Factors: 58
Regulation wins: 18

Factors: 64
Regulation wins: 21

Factors: 65
Regulation wins: 24

Factors: 66
Regulation wins: 17

Factors: 71
Regulation wins: 23

Factors: 71
Regulation wins: 28

Factors: 72
Regulation wins: 26

Factors: 73
Regulation wins: 28

Factors: 75
Regulation wins: 22

Factors: 76
Regulation wins: 31

Factors: 77
Regulation wins: 27

Factors: 79
Regulation wins: 25

Factors: 80
Regulation wins: 28

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