Saturday in the NHL regular season is traditionally packed with games, and this week is no different. As teams battle for playoff spots and better seeding, fans can look forward to a full slate of 11 games. Here’s a breakdown of each matchup and what’s at stake for each team involved.
Buffalo Sabres at Philadelphia Flyers, 1 p.m., NHL Network
While both the Sabres and Flyers are still mathematically in the playoff hunt, a postseason appearance is a long shot for either team. At this point, improving their position for the upcoming draft might be a more realistic goal. The loser of this game will inadvertently help the other improve their draft prospects.
New York Islanders at Tampa Bay Lightning, 2 p.m., ESPN+
This is a crucial game for both the Islanders and Lightning. The Islanders are vying for a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, while the Lightning are still in contention for the Atlantic Division title.
St. Louis Blues at Colorado Avalanche, 4:30 p.m., ESPN+
Two of the league`s hottest teams clash as the Avalanche host the Blues. Colorado, likely locked into the Central Division`s No. 3 seed, will test themselves against a surging St. Louis team. The Blues are looking to solidify their Wild Card position and potentially overtake Minnesota.
New Jersey Devils at Minnesota Wild, 6 p.m., ESPN+
In contrast to the Avalanche and Blues, the Devils and Wild are looking to maintain their current playoff positions. The Devils are comfortably in third in the Metro Division, while the Wild are holding onto the first Western Conference Wild Card spot, with several teams chasing them.
Vegas Golden Knights at Nashville Predators, 6:30 p.m., ESPN+
The Golden Knights, Stanley Cup champions, visit Nashville as they push for the Pacific Division title. The Predators, in contrast, are near the bottom of the league standings, focusing on draft positioning.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Ottawa Senators, 7 p.m., ESPN+
The Blue Jackets need to capitalize on games like this against the Senators if they aim to solidify their playoff chances. This game is crucial for both teams in their respective quests for playoff contention (for Columbus) and draft lottery positioning (for Ottawa).
Toronto Maple Leafs at Los Angeles Kings, 7 p.m., ESPN+
Toronto`s road trip continues with astop in Los Angeles. This matchup could be a Stanley Cup Final preview. The Maple Leafs are battling for the Atlantic Division title, while the Kings are trying to close the gap on Vegas in the Pacific Division.
Boston Bruins at Detroit Red Wings, 8 p.m., ABC/ESPN+
The playoff hopes are fading for both of these Original Six franchises. Both the Red Wings and Bruins are struggling recently and need to turn things around quickly if they want to make a late playoff push. This game could be a turning point for one of these teams.
Calgary Flames at Edmonton Oilers, 10 p.m., ESPN+
The final Battle of Alberta of the regular season takes place tonight. The Oilers are comfortably in third place in the Pacific, while the Flames have ground to make up in the Wild Card race.
New York Rangers at San Jose Sharks, 10:30 p.m., ESPN+
The Rangers, after an up-and-down season, are still in the hunt for a Wild Card spot in the East. A loss to the Sharks, who are near the bottom of the standings, would be a major setback. The Sharks are currently ahead of only the Blackhawks in the overall standings.
Dallas Stars at Seattle Kraken, 10:30 p.m., ESPN+
The Stars are chasing the Jets for the top spot in the Central Division. A win against the Kraken is expected, as Seattle finds itself in the draft lottery conversation along with several other teams.
With the regular season winding down to April 17th, the focus intensifies on the playoff races and the draft lottery. The upcoming games are crucial for teams at both ends of the standings.
Current Playoff Matchups
Eastern Conference
- A1 Florida Panthers vs. WC1 Ottawa Senators
- A2 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. A3 Tampa Bay Lightning
- M1 Washington Capitals vs. WC2 Columbus Blue Jackets
- M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 New Jersey Devils
Western Conference
- C1 Winnipeg Jets vs. WC2 St. Louis Blues
- C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche
- P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC1 Minnesota Wild
- P2 Los Angeles Kings vs. P3 Edmonton Oilers
Saturday`s Games
Note: All times ET. Games available to stream on ESPN+ (local blackout restrictions apply). Some games on NHL Network and ABC.
- Buffalo Sabres at Philadelphia Flyers, 1 p.m. (NHLN)
- New York Islanders at Tampa Bay Lightning, 2 p.m.
- St. Louis Blues at Colorado Avalanche, 4:30 p.m.
- New Jersey Devils at Minnesota Wild, 6 p.m.
- Vegas Golden Knights at Nashville Predators, 6:30 p.m.
- Columbus Blue Jackets at Ottawa Senators, 7 p.m.
- Toronto Maple Leafs at Los Angeles Kings, 7 p.m.
- Boston Bruins at Detroit Red Wings, 8 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)
- Calgary Flames at Edmonton Oilers, 10 p.m.
- New York Rangers at San Jose Sharks, 10:30 p.m.
- Dallas Stars at Seattle Kraken, 10:30 p.m.
Friday`s Scoreboard
- Florida Panthers 2, Utah Hockey Club 1 (OT)
- Carolina Hurricanes 4, Montreal Canadiens 1
- Columbus Blue Jackets 7, Vancouver Canucks 6 (SO)
- Winnipeg Jets 4, New Jersey Devils 0
- Vegas Golden Knights 5, Chicago Blackhawks 3
- Anaheim Ducks 5, New York Rangers 4 (OT)
Expanded Standings
Atlantic Division
Florida Panthers
Points: 91
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: A1
Toronto Maple Leafs
Points: 90
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: A2
Tampa Bay Lightning
Points: 89
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: A3
Ottawa Senators
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: WC1
Montreal Canadiens
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Detroit Red Wings
Points: 72
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Boston Bruins
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Buffalo Sabres
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Metro Division
x – Washington Capitals
Points: 103
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff position: M1
Carolina Hurricanes
Points: 92
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: M2
New Jersey Devils
Points: 83
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: M3
Columbus Blue Jackets
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: WC2
New York Rangers
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: N/A
New York Islanders
Points: 74
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Pittsburgh Penguins
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Philadelphia Flyers
Points: 67
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Central Division
x – Winnipeg Jets
Points: 104
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: C1
Dallas Stars
Points: 98
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: C2
Colorado Avalanche
Points: 93
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: C3
Minnesota Wild
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: WC1
St. Louis Blues
Points: 85
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: WC2
Utah Hockey Club
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
e – Nashville Predators
Points: 62
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
e – Chicago Blackhawks
Points: 51
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Pacific Division
Vegas Golden Knights
Points: 96
Regulation wins: 41
Playoff position: P1
Los Angeles Kings
Points: 89
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: P3
Edmonton Oilers
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: P2
Vancouver Canucks
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Calgary Flames
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Anaheim Ducks
Points: 72
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Seattle Kraken
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
e – San Jose Sharks
Points: 49
Regulation wins: 14
Note: `x` – clinched playoff berth, `e` – eliminated from playoff contention.
Race for the No. 1 Pick
The NHL Draft Lottery determines the first-round order. Matthew Schaefer is currently projected as the No. 1 pick.
1. San Jose Sharks
Points: 49
Regulation wins: 14
2. Chicago Blackhawks
Points: 51
Regulation wins: 18
3. Nashville Predators
Points: 62
Regulation wins: 23
4. Buffalo Sabres
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 24
5. Philadelphia Flyers
Points: 67
Regulation wins: 18
6. Seattle Kraken
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 25
7. Pittsburgh Penguins
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 20
8. Boston Bruins
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
9. Anaheim Ducks
Points: 72
Regulation wins: 23
10. Detroit Red Wings
Points: 72
Regulation wins: 25
11. New York Islanders
Points: 74
Regulation wins: 25
12. New York Rangers
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 31
13. Montreal Canadiens
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 24
14. Utah Hockey Club
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 24
15. Calgary Flames
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 26
16. Vancouver Canucks
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 26
