The Washington Capitals have already secured their place in the playoffs, and the Winnipeg Jets are very likely to join them. A recent win could have confirmed the Jets` spot, but they still look strong.
These two teams are scheduled to play each other soon and could potentially face off again in the Stanley Cup Final. Currently, both teams are expected to compete against a wild-card team in the first round of their respective conferences. This raises the question: would they prefer to play against certain bubble teams over others?
For the Winnipeg Jets, the St. Louis Blues currently hold the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. This season, the Jets have a 2-1 record against the Blues, including a shootout victory, and they are set to play again on April 7th. Alternatively, if the Calgary Flames were to take that wild-card spot, creating a classic division rivalry matchup, the Jets also have a 2-1 record against them this season, although their last game was in January.
The Utah Hockey Club is another team that could potentially reach the wild-card spot, and the Jets have a 2-1 record against them as well. The Vancouver Canucks are the final team in contention for the last Western Conference playoff spot. The Jets` record against them is 1-1, with one more game scheduled.
Looking at the Eastern Conference, the Washington Capitals are currently projected to play the Montreal Canadiens in the first round. The Capitals have won two out of three games against Montreal, with their single loss being in overtime. If the New York Rangers were to become their first-round opponent instead, the Capitals would aim to avenge their playoff sweep from last year. Regular-season results suggest they are likely to succeed, having won all three games against the Rangers this season. Washington has won their only game against the New York Islanders this season, with two more games to play.
The Capitals have also performed well against the Columbus Blue Jackets, winning both of their matchups this season with two more games to come in April, and against the Detroit Red Wings, with two wins this month after losing to them in December.
In conclusion, while the playoffs will present tougher challenges, both the Capitals and Jets seem to be in a favorable position, at least on paper, as they head into the first round.
With less than a month remaining until the end of the regular season on April 17th, it`s important to follow the NHL playoff race closely. As we approach the final games, we will continue to provide updates on the playoff scenarios and the teams vying for position in the 2025 NHL draft lottery.
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 Montreal Canadiens
- 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
Tuesday`s Games
Note: All times Eastern Time. Games not on national TV are available for streaming (blackout restrictions may apply).
- Ottawa Senators at Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m.
- Philadelphia Flyers at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m.
- Pittsburgh Penguins at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7 p.m.
- Nashville Predators at Carolina Hurricanes, 7 p.m.
- Montreal Canadiens at St. Louis Blues, 8 p.m.
- Vegas Golden Knights at Minnesota Wild, 8 p.m.
- Washington Capitals at Winnipeg Jets, 8 p.m.
- Detroit Red Wings at Colorado Avalanche, 9 p.m.
- Seattle Kraken at Calgary Flames, 9 p.m.
- New York Rangers at Los Angeles Kings, 10:30 p.m.
Monday`s Scoreboard
- Vancouver Canucks 4, New Jersey Devils 3 (SO)
- Columbus Blue Jackets 4, New York Islanders 3 (SO)
- Dallas Stars 3, Minnesota Wild 0
- Detroit Red Wings 5, Utah Hockey Club 1
Expanded Standings
Atlantic Division
Florida Panthers
Points: 89
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 11
Points pace: 102.8
Next game: vs. UTA (Friday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Toronto Maple Leafs
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 12
Points pace: 101.9
Next game: vs. PHI (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tampa Bay Lightning
Points: 85
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 12
Points pace: 99.6
Next game: vs. PIT (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Ottawa Senators
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 13
Points pace: 93.9
Next game: @ BUF (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 98.2%
Montreal Canadiens
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 13
Points pace: 89.1
Next game: @ STL (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 48.8%
Detroit Red Wings
Points: 72
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 84.3
Next game: @ COL (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 3.0%
Boston Bruins
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 78.6
Next game: @ ANA (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Buffalo Sabres
Points: 62
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 73.7
Next game: vs. OTT (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Metro Division
x – Washington Capitals
Points: 102
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 12
Points pace: 119.5
Next game: @ WPG (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Carolina Hurricanes
Points: 90
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 12
Points pace: 105.4
Next game: vs. NSH (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
New Jersey Devils
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 10
Points pace: 92.3
Next game: @ CHI (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 94.6%
New York Islanders
Points: 74
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 86.7
Next game: vs. VAN (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 28.0%
New York Rangers
Points: 74
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 85.5
Next game: @ LA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 17.9%
Columbus Blue Jackets
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 85.5
Next game: vs. VAN (Friday)
Playoff chances: 9.4%
Pittsburgh Penguins
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 78.6
Next game: @ TB (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Philadelphia Flyers
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 74.0
Next game: vs. OTT (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Central Division
Winnipeg Jets
Points: 100
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 11
Points pace: 115.5
Next game: vs. WSH (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Dallas Stars
Points: 94
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 12
Points pace: 110.1
Next game: @ EDM (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Colorado Avalanche
Points: 89
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 11
Points pace: 102.8
Next game: vs. DET (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Minnesota Wild
Points: 85
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 11
Points pace: 98.2
Next game: vs. VGK (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 96.8%
St. Louis Blues
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 10
Points pace: 92.3
Next game: vs. MTL (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 71.1%
Utah Hockey Club
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 86.6
Next game: @ TB (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 13.3%
Nashville Predators
Points: 60
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 70.3
Next game: @ CAR (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
e – Chicago Blackhawks
Points: 51
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 58.9
Next game: vs. NJ (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Pacific Division
Vegas Golden Knights
Points: 92
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 12
Points pace: 107.8
Next game: @ MIN (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Los Angeles Kings
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 13
Points pace: 103.4
Next game: vs. NYR (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Edmonton Oilers
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 12
Points pace: 101.9
Next game: vs. DAL (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 99.5%
Vancouver Canucks
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 90.1
Next game: @ NYI (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 8.9%
Calgary Flames
Points: 77
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 91.5
Next game: vs. SEA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 10.6%
Anaheim Ducks
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 79.7
Next game: vs. BOS (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Seattle Kraken
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 75.1
Next game: @ CGY (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
e – San Jose Sharks
Points: 47
Regulation wins: 14
Note: An `x` means the team clinched a playoff spot. `e` means eliminated from playoff contention.
Race for the No. 1 Pick
The NHL uses a draft lottery to decide the first round draft order. The last-place team isn`t guaranteed the top pick. Since 2021, a team can move up maximum 10 spots in the lottery, making only 11 teams eligible for the No. 1 pick. Matthew Schaefer is currently ranked as the top prospect.
1. San Jose Sharks
Points: 47
Regulation wins: 14
2. Chicago Blackhawks
Points: 51
Regulation wins: 18
3. Nashville Predators
Points: 60
Regulation wins: 22
4. Buffalo Sabres
Points: 62
Regulation wins: 22
5. Philadelphia Flyers
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 17
6. Seattle Kraken
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 24
7. Anaheim Ducks
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 22
8. Pittsburgh Penguins
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 20
9. Boston Bruins
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
10. Detroit Red Wings
Points: 72
Regulation wins: 25
11. Columbus Blue Jackets
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 23
12. New York Rangers
Points: 74
Regulation wins: 31
13. New York Islanders
Points: 74
Regulation wins: 25
14. Utah Hockey Club
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 24
15. Calgary Flames
Points: 77
Regulation wins: 26
16. Vancouver Canucks
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 25
