This weekend was crucial for determining the 16 teams that will compete for the Stanley Cup playoffs. As we head into Monday`s games, 14 teams have already secured their spots, but playoff seeding is still up for grabs.
With the regular season ending on Thursday, here`s a look at what`s important in Monday`s six NHL matchups:


Chicago Blackhawks at Montreal Canadiens
A win for the Canadiens tonight will secure their playoff spot and eliminate the Columbus Blue Jackets from contention. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks are guaranteed to pick second in the upcoming draft lottery.


Dallas Stars at Detroit Red Wings
The Stars are locked into a first-round playoff series at home against the Colorado Avalanche. For the Red Wings, tonight`s game influences their position in the draft lottery, currently 11th.


New York Rangers at Florida Panthers
The Rangers are aiming for a better draft pick, potentially top 10. The Panthers are set to finish second in their division, unable to overtake the Maple Leafs but comfortably ahead of the Senators for playoff seeding.


Utah Hockey Club at Nashville Predators
These teams are positioned at opposite ends of the draft lottery. The Predators are locked at No. 3, while Utah could move slightly in the draft order depending on tonight`s result and other games.


Los Angeles Kings at Edmonton Oilers
This game is a preview of the Pacific Division`s No. 2 versus No. 3 playoff series, with home-ice advantage at stake. A regulation win is crucial for the Oilers to potentially overtake the Kings.


San Jose Sharks at Vancouver Canucks
This late-night game features two teams heading to the draft lottery. The Sharks have secured the No. 1 pick, while the Canucks are currently 15th but could shift slightly in the lottery order.
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
Monday`s Games
Chicago Blackhawks at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m.
Dallas Stars at Detroit Red Wings, 7 p.m. (NHL Network)
New York Rangers at Florida Panthers, 7 p.m.
Utah Hockey Club at Nashville Predators, 8 p.m.
Los Angeles Kings at Edmonton Oilers, 10 p.m.
San Jose Sharks at Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m.
Sunday`s Scoreboard
Ottawa Senators 4, Philadelphia Flyers 3 (OT)
New York Islanders 1, New Jersey Devils 0
Boston Bruins 4, Pittsburgh Penguins 1
Toronto Maple Leafs 4, Carolina Hurricanes 1
Tampa Bay Lightning 7, Buffalo Sabres 4
Columbus Blue Jackets 4, Washington Capitals 1
Edmonton Oilers 4, Winnipeg Jets 1
Calgary Flames 5, San Jose Sharks 2
Colorado Avalanche 4, Anaheim Ducks 2
Expanded Standings
Atlantic Division
x – Toronto Maple Leafs
Points: 104
Regulation wins: 40
x – Tampa Bay Lightning
Points: 100
Regulation wins: 40
x – Florida Panthers
Points: 98
Regulation wins: 37
x – Ottawa Senators
Points: 94
Regulation wins: 34
Montreal Canadiens
Points: 88
Regulation wins: 29
e – Detroit Red Wings
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 29
e – Buffalo Sabres
Points: 77
Regulation wins: 28
e – Boston Bruins
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 26
Metro Division
z – Washington Capitals
Points: 109
Regulation wins: 42
x – Carolina Hurricanes
Points: 99
Regulation wins: 42
x – New Jersey Devils
Points: 89
Regulation wins: 36
Columbus Blue Jackets
Points: 85
Regulation wins: 28
e – New York Islanders
Points: 82
Regulation wins: 28
e – New York Rangers
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 33
e – Pittsburgh Penguins
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 23
e – Philadelphia Flyers
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 21
Central Division
p – Winnipeg Jets
Points: 114
Regulation wins: 43
x – Dallas Stars
Points: 106
Regulation wins: 41
x – Colorado Avalanche
Points: 102
Regulation wins: 40
Minnesota Wild
Points: 95
Regulation wins: 33
St. Louis Blues
Points: 94
Regulation wins: 31
e – Utah Hockey Club
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 29
e – Nashville Predators
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 23
e – Chicago Blackhawks
Points: 57
Regulation wins: 20
Pacific Division
y – Vegas Golden Knights
Points: 107
Regulation wins: 45
x – Los Angeles Kings
Points: 101
Regulation wins: 41
x – Edmonton Oilers
Points: 99
Regulation wins: 35
Calgary Flames
Points: 92
Regulation wins: 30
e – Vancouver Canucks
Points: 88
Regulation wins: 28
e – Anaheim Ducks
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 24
e – Seattle Kraken
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 28
e – San Jose Sharks
Points: 51
Regulation wins: 14
Note: A `p` means Presidents` Trophy, `z` conference top record, `y` division title, `x` playoff berth, `e` eliminated.
Race for the No. 1 Pick
The NHL Draft Lottery determines the first-round order, allowing teams to move up in the draft. Matthew Schaefer is currently projected as the No. 1 pick.
1. San Jose Sharks
Points: 51
Regulation wins: 14
2. Chicago Blackhawks
Points: 57
Regulation wins: 20
3. Nashville Predators
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 23
4. Boston Bruins
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 26
5. Seattle Kraken
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 28
6. Philadelphia Flyers
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 21
7. Buffalo Sabres
Points: 77
Regulation wins: 28
8. Pittsburgh Penguins
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 23
9. Anaheim Ducks
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 24
10. New York Rangers
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 33
11. Detroit Red Wings
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 29
12. New York Islanders
Points: 82
Regulation wins: 28
13. Columbus Blue Jackets
Points: 85
Regulation wins: 28
14. Utah Hockey Club
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 29
15. Vancouver Canucks
Points: 88
Regulation wins: 28
16. Calgary Flames
Points: 92
Regulation wins: 30
