The playoff race in the NHL is heating up as teams battle for the remaining spots. After Monday`s games, the Columbus Blue Jackets are still in contention for the last wild card spot in the Eastern Conference thanks to a surprising Chicago Blackhawks victory over the Montreal Canadiens.
In the Western Conference, the wild card situation remains unchanged between the Minnesota Wild, St. Louis Blues, and Calgary Flames, all of whom are playing crucial games on Tuesday.
Here’s a guide to the ten games on Tuesday`s schedule, which could significantly impact the playoff standings:
Key Games on Tuesday
The Devils are preparing for their first-round playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes. For the Bruins, this game affects their position in the draft lottery. They are currently fourth but could move up or down depending on the results of this game and other teams.
The Maple Leafs are close to securing the Atlantic Division title. A win or even an overtime loss against the Sabres would clinch the division. The Sabres, despite a strong finish to the season, are in the draft lottery and currently hold the No. 7 spot.
Monday`s win for the Blackhawks doesn`t change their draft lottery position as they are locked at No. 2. The Senators are confirmed as the first Eastern Conference wild card and will face the Atlantic Division winner in the first round.
The Blue Jackets` playoff hopes remain slim. They need to win their remaining two games in regulation and hope the Canadiens lose their next game in regulation to secure the final wild card. The Flyers are also in the mix for draft lottery positioning.
A likely first-round playoff matchup in the Atlantic Division could be these rivals. While the Panthers can`t overtake the Lightning, and the Lightning have a slim chance to catch the Maple Leafs, this game might be more about setting a tone for a potential playoff series.
The Capitals, having secured the top seed in the East, might not be playing with maximum intensity. The Islanders are in the draft lottery, currently at No. 10.
The Blues can clinch a playoff spot with a win and a Calgary Flames loss. The Utah Hockey Club, in their inaugural season, will be in the draft lottery.
The Wild can clinch a playoff spot with a win, or even with an overtime loss combined with a Flames loss. The Ducks are also in the draft lottery positioning conversation.
Every game is critical for the Flames as they fight for a playoff spot. A regulation win is essential. The Golden Knights are locked in as the top seed in the Pacific Division and could eliminate the Flames from playoff contention with a win.
The Kings have clinched home-ice advantage for their first-round series against the Oilers. The Kraken are another team in the draft lottery range.
Current Playoff Matchups
Eastern Conference
- A1 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. WC1 Ottawa Senators
- A2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. A3 Florida Panthers
- 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
Clinching Scenarios
Montreal Canadiens: Clinch a playoff berth if the Columbus Blue Jackets do not win in regulation against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Minnesota Wild: Clinch a playoff berth if:
- They win or lose in overtime/shootout to the Anaheim Ducks
- The Blues lose to the Utah Hockey Club in any fashion
- The Flames lose to the Golden Knights in any fashion
St. Louis Blues: Clinch a playoff berth if:
- They defeat the Utah Hockey Club in regulation
- They defeat the Hockey Club in OT/shootout, AND either the Wild lose to the Ducks in regulation OR there is any result in Flames-Golden Knights other than a regulation win for Calgary
- They lose in OT/shootout, AND the Flames lose to the Golden Knights in any fashion
- The Flames lose to the Golden Knights in regulation
Tuesday`s Games Schedule
All times Eastern.
- New Jersey Devils at Boston Bruins, 7 p.m.
- Toronto Maple Leafs at Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m.
- Chicago Blackhawks at Ottawa Senators, 7 p.m.
- Columbus Blue Jackets at Philadelphia Flyers, 7 p.m.
- Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7:30 p.m.
- Washington Capitals at New York Islanders, 7:30 p.m.
- Utah Hockey Club at St. Louis Blues, 8 p.m.
- Anaheim Ducks at Minnesota Wild, 8 p.m.
- Vegas Golden Knights at Calgary Flames, 9 p.m.
- Los Angeles Kings at Seattle Kraken, 10:30 p.m.
Monday`s Scoreboard
- Chicago Blackhawks 4, Montreal Canadiens 3 (SO)
- Detroit Red Wings 6, Dallas Stars 4
- New York Rangers 5, Florida Panthers 3
- Utah Hockey Club 7, Nashville Predators 3
- Los Angeles Kings 5, Edmonton Oilers 0
- Vancouver Canucks 2, San Jose Sharks 1 (OT)
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: 89, Regulation wins: 29
- e – Detroit Red Wings – Points: 83, 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 Rangers – Points: 83, Regulation wins: 34
- e – New York Islanders – Points: 82, Regulation wins: 28
- 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: 89, Regulation wins: 30
- e – Nashville Predators – Points: 66, Regulation wins: 23
- e – Chicago Blackhawks – Points: 59, Regulation wins: 20
Pacific Division
- y – Vegas Golden Knights – Points: 107, Regulation wins: 45
- x – Los Angeles Kings – Points: 103, Regulation wins: 42
- x – Edmonton Oilers – Points: 99, Regulation wins: 35
- Calgary Flames – Points: 92, Regulation wins: 30
- e – Vancouver Canucks – Points: 90, Regulation wins: 28
- e – Anaheim Ducks – Points: 78, Regulation wins: 24
- e – Seattle Kraken – Points: 76, Regulation wins: 28
- e – San Jose Sharks – Points: 52, 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. Top teams eligible for No. 1 pick. Matthew Schaefer is currently ranked No. 1 prospect.
- 1. San Jose Sharks – Points: 52, Regulation wins: 14
- 2. Chicago Blackhawks – Points: 59, 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 Islanders – Points: 82, Regulation wins: 28
- 11. New York Rangers – Points: 83, Regulation wins: 34
- 12. Detroit Red Wings – Points: 83, Regulation wins: 29
- 13. Columbus Blue Jackets – Points: 85, Regulation wins: 28
- 14. Utah Hockey Club – Points: 89, Regulation wins: 30
- 15. Vancouver Canucks – Points: 90, Regulation wins: 28
- 16. Calgary Flames – Points: 92, Regulation wins: 30
