It`s Showdown Saturday in the NHL, with the regular season wrapping up soon and the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs just around the corner!
We already know 12 of the 16 playoff teams, but there`s still a lot to decide. Playoff seeding is still up for grabs, and teams are battling for the Presidents` Trophy (for the best overall record) and better positions in the upcoming draft lottery.
Today`s schedule is packed with 11 games. Here’s a look at what each game means:
Key Games to Watch
New York Islanders at Philadelphia Flyers
12:30 PM ET
While neither team is likely to make the playoffs, this game affects the draft lottery. The Flyers are currently in a better draft position, but the Islanders are close behind.
Washington Capitals at Columbus Blue Jackets
12:30 PM ET
Alex Ovechkin`s chase for the goal record is over, but he`s still fun to watch. The Capitals have already secured the top spot in the East, but they are also competing for the Presidents` Trophy. The Blue Jackets are hoping to improve their draft lottery odds.
New York Rangers at Carolina Hurricanes
3 PM ET
The Hurricanes, last season`s Presidents` Trophy winners, are unlikely to make the playoffs this year. They need a lot to go their way. The Hurricanes are locked into second place in their division and will host a playoff series.
Colorado Avalanche at Los Angeles Kings
4 PM ET
The Avalanche can`t win their division and will probably finish third. The Kings could still win their division but are more likely to finish second. Both teams are playing well and could be contenders in the Western Conference playoffs.
Buffalo Sabres at Florida Panthers
6 PM ET
The Sabres will miss the playoffs again, but they`ve shown promise recently. They are currently in a good position for the draft lottery. The Panthers are still in the running for their division title.
Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs
7 PM ET
Playoff hockey is likely coming back to Montreal! The Canadiens are close to clinching a playoff spot. The Maple Leafs are trying to hold onto the top spot in their division, with Tampa Bay and Florida close behind.
Winnipeg Jets at Chicago Blackhawks
7 PM ET
This is a game between two teams at opposite ends of the standings. The Jets are leading the race for the Presidents` Trophy and are close to clinching their division. The Blackhawks will finish near the bottom of the league and are hoping for a top draft pick.
Utah Hockey Club at Dallas Stars
8 PM ET
Utah`s first NHL season has been surprisingly competitive. They are not in playoff contention but are in the draft lottery mix. The Stars are still chasing the Jets for the division lead.
Minnesota Wild at Vancouver Canucks
10 PM ET
The Wild have recovered after a rough patch and are currently in a wild card spot. The Canucks, after winning their division last season, are out of playoff contention and in the draft lottery.
Nashville Predators at Vegas Golden Knights
10 PM ET
This game is notable because Jonathan Marchessault, a former Vegas player, returns to Vegas with the Predators. The Golden Knights can clinch their division with a win.
St. Louis Blues at Seattle Kraken
10 PM ET
The Blues are trying to hold onto a wild card spot in the West. The Kraken are in the draft lottery.
With the regular season ending soon, follow along for updates on the playoff races and the draft lottery!
Current Playoff Matchups
Eastern Conference
- Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators
- Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers
- Washington Capitals vs. Montreal Canadiens
- Carolina Hurricanes vs. New Jersey Devils
Western Conference
- Winnipeg Jets vs. St. Louis Blues
- Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche
- Vegas Golden Knights vs. Minnesota Wild
- Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers
Clinching Scenarios
The Montreal Canadiens will clinch a playoff berth if:
- They beat the Toronto Maple Leafs in regulation time.
- They beat the Maple Leafs in any way, and the Columbus Blue Jackets don`t beat the Washington Capitals in regulation.
- They lose to the Maple Leafs in overtime or a shootout, and the Blue Jackets lose to the Capitals in any way.
The Minnesota Wild will clinch a playoff berth if they beat the Vancouver Canucks in any way, AND the St. Louis Blues lose to the Seattle Kraken in regulation time.
The Winnipeg Jets will clinch the Central Division title and the top seed in the Western Conference if:
- They win or lose in overtime/shootout against the Chicago Blackhawks.
- The Dallas Stars-Utah Hockey Club game doesn`t end with a Stars win in regulation.
The Vegas Golden Knights will clinch the Pacific Division title if:
- They beat the Nashville Predators in regulation time.
- They beat the Predators in overtime/shootout, AND the Los Angeles Kings-Colorado Avalanche game doesn`t end with a Kings win in regulation.
- They lose in overtime/shootout, AND the Kings lose to the Avalanche in any way.
- The Kings lose to the Avalanche in regulation time.
Saturday`s Games
All times Eastern. Games not on national TV are available to stream online.
- New York Islanders at Philadelphia Flyers, 12:30 PM ET
- Washington Capitals at Columbus Blue Jackets, 12:30 PM ET
- New York Rangers at Carolina Hurricanes, 3 PM ET
- Colorado Avalanche at Los Angeles Kings, 4 PM ET
- Buffalo Sabres at Florida Panthers, 6 PM ET
- Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 PM ET
- Winnipeg Jets at Chicago Blackhawks, 7 PM ET
- Utah Hockey Club at Dallas Stars, 8 PM ET
- Minnesota Wild at Vancouver Canucks, 10 PM ET
- Nashville Predators at Vegas Golden Knights, 10 PM ET
- St. Louis Blues at Seattle Kraken, 10 PM ET
Friday`s Scoreboard
- Ottawa Senators 5, Montreal Canadiens 2
- Detroit Red Wings 4, Tampa Bay Lightning 3 (OT)
- Pittsburgh Penguins 4, New Jersey Devils 2
- Edmonton Oilers 4, San Jose Sharks 2
- Calgary Flames 4, Minnesota Wild 2
Expanded Standings
Atlantic Division
Toronto Maple Leafs (x)
Points: 100
Tampa Bay Lightning (x)
Points: 98
Florida Panthers (x)
Points: 96
Ottawa Senators (x)
Points: 92
Montreal Canadiens
Points: 87
Detroit Red Wings
Points: 81
Buffalo Sabres (e)
Points: 76
Boston Bruins (e)
Points: 73
Metro Division
Washington Capitals (z)
Points: 109
Carolina Hurricanes (x)
Points: 97
New Jersey Devils (x)
Points: 89
Columbus Blue Jackets
Points: 81
New York Rangers
Points: 81
New York Islanders
Points: 79
Pittsburgh Penguins (e)
Points: 78
Philadelphia Flyers (e)
Points: 73
Central Division
Winnipeg Jets (x)
Points: 112
Dallas Stars (x)
Points: 106
Colorado Avalanche (x)
Points: 100
Minnesota Wild
Points: 93
St. Louis Blues
Points: 93
Utah Hockey Club (e)
Points: 85
Nashville Predators (e)
Points: 66
Chicago Blackhawks (e)
Points: 56
Pacific Division
Vegas Golden Knights (x)
Points: 105
Los Angeles Kings (x)
Points: 99
Edmonton Oilers
Points: 97
Calgary Flames
Points: 90
Vancouver Canucks (e)
Points: 87
Anaheim Ducks (e)
Points: 78
Seattle Kraken (e)
Points: 74
San Jose Sharks (e)
Points: 51
Note: `z` – conference leader, `y` – division winner, `x` – playoff team, `e` – eliminated.
Race for the No. 1 Draft Pick
The NHL uses a draft lottery to decide the first round order. Matthew Schaefer is currently projected as the No. 1 pick.
1. San Jose Sharks
Points: 51
2. Chicago Blackhawks
Points: 56
3. Nashville Predators
Points: 66
4. Boston Bruins
Points: 73
5. Philadelphia Flyers
Points: 73
6. Seattle Kraken
Points: 74
7. Buffalo Sabres
Points: 76
8. Pittsburgh Penguins
Points: 78
9. Anaheim Ducks
Points: 78
10. New York Islanders
Points: 79
11. Detroit Red Wings
Points: 81
12. New York Rangers
Points: 81
13. Columbus Blue Jackets
Points: 81
14. Utah Hockey Club
Points: 85
15. Vancouver Canucks
Points: 87
16. Calgary Flames
Points: 90
