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Tim KavanaghESPN.com
We’re formally lower than two weeks away from the ultimate day of the 2021-22 NHL common season, and whereas on daily basis removes a number of the thriller in regards to the playoff area — with clinchings and eliminations all through the league — it additionally serves to make clear which golf equipment are the true Stanley Cup contenders. Because it occurs, right now’s schedule consists of 4 dynamite matchups that includes groups which have clinched a spot or are combating for a berth.
First up is the Pittsburgh Penguins vs. the Boston Bruins at 12:30 ET. The Penguins simply earned their postseason ticket this week, and are presently poised to face the New York Rangers within the first spherical. The Bruins are on the verge of clinching, and because the East’s first wild card have a matchup with the Carolina Hurricanes looming. Pittsburgh received the only real matchup between these two golf equipment to this point, 4-2 on Feb. 8, and so they’ll meet once more on April 21.
Subsequent on the docket is the St. Louis Blues internet hosting the Minnesota Wild at 3 ET (ABC, ESPN+). That is the present No. 2 vs. No. 3 matchup within the Central Division, and St. Louis has received each earlier video games to this point this season. One thing tells us this sport may imply a little bit greater than the remainder of every group’s respective schedules down the stretch.
With opening puck drop one hour after Wild-Blues will get began, the Vegas Golden Knights go to the Edmonton Oilers at 4 ET. The Knights are presently out of the playoff combine, two factors behind the Nashville Predators and Dallas Stars (the 2 West wild playing cards), and one level behind the Los Angeles Kings for the No. 3 spot within the Pacific Division. They need not win each sport down the stretch — however they’d higher not lose too many, both. As for the Oilers, they’re one spot forward of the Kings within the Pacific’s No. 2 place, so in idea, this sport is one other first-round preview ought to issues fall a sure method down the stretch.
And oh yeah, the 2 guys taken 1-2 within the 2015 draft will go head-to-head right here, as Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel meet for the primary time with the latter in a Knights sweater following his commerce from Buffalo.
Lastly, the Metropolitan Division-leading Carolina Hurricanes head to Denver to tackle the Central Division-leading Colorado Avalanche at 9 ET. We maintain repeating the notion that sure video games are a “Stanley Cup Closing sequence preview,” however given the relentless method to the game that every of those groups takes, we actually imply it right here. Be sure you verify this one out, to additional familiarize your self with two groups that must be enjoying effectively into June.
As we enter the ultimate stretch of the 2021-22 common season, it is time to verify in on all of the playoff races — together with the groups jockeying for place within the 2022 NHL draft lottery.
Word: Playoff chances are high through FiveThirtyEight. Tragic numbers are courtesy of Damian Echevarrieta of the NHL.
Bounce forward:
Present playoff matchups
In the present day’s video games
Final evening’s scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 decide
Present playoff matchups
Jap Convention
A1 Florida Panthers vs. WC2 Washington Capitals
A2 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. A3 Tampa Bay Lightning
M1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. WC1 Boston Bruins
M2 New York Rangers vs. M3 Pittsburgh Penguins
Western Convention
C1 Colorado Avalanche vs. WC2 Dallas Stars
C2 Minnesota Wild vs. C3 St. Louis Blues
P1 Calgary Flames vs. WC1 Nashville Predators
P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings
In the present day’s video games
Word: All instances Jap. All out-of-market, non-NHL Community video games out there to stream on ESPN+.
Pittsburgh Penguins at Boston Bruins, 12:30 p.m. (NHLN)
Detroit Purple Wings at New York Rangers, 12:30 p.m.
Chicago Blackhawks at Nashville Predators, 12:30 p.m.
Minnesota Wild at St. Louis Blues, 3 p.m. (ABC, ESPN+)
Vegas Golden Knights at Edmonton Oilers, 4 p.m.
Philadelphia Flyers at Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m.
Washington Capitals at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Ottawa Senators, 7 p.m. (NHLN)
Winnipeg Jets at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7 p.m.
San Jose Sharks at Dallas Stars, 8 p.m.
Carolina Hurricanes at Colorado Avalanche, 9 p.m.
Arizona Coyotes at Calgary Flames, 10 p.m.
New Jersey Devils at Seattle Kraken, 10 p.m.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Los Angeles Kings, 10:30 p.m.
Final evening’s scoreboard
Watch Within the Crease on ESPN+ for highlights from each sport.
New York Islanders 3, Montreal Canadiens 0
Florida Panthers 6, Winnipeg Jets 1
Expanded standings
Atlantic Division
Factors: 112
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff place: A1
Video games left: 8
Subsequent sport: @ DET (Sunday)
Playoff possibilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 102
Regulation wins: 41
Playoff place: A2
Video games left: 8
Subsequent sport: @ OTT (Saturday)
Playoff possibilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 98
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff place: A3
Video games left: 8
Subsequent sport: vs. WPG (Saturday)
Playoff possibilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 95
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff place: WC1
Video games left: 8
Subsequent sport: vs. PIT (Saturday)
Playoff possibilities: >99%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 68
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 8
Subsequent sport: @ NYR (Saturday)
Playoff possibilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E
Factors: 65
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 6
Subsequent sport: vs. PHI (Saturday)
Playoff possibilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E
Factors: 62
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 8
Subsequent sport: vs. TOR (Saturday)
Playoff possibilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E
Factors: 51
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 7
Subsequent sport: vs. WSH (Saturday)
Playoff possibilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E
Metropolitan Division
Factors: 104
Regulation wins: 42
Playoff place: M1
Video games left: 7
Subsequent sport: @ COL (Saturday)
Playoff possibilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 102
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff place: M2
Video games left: 7
Subsequent sport: vs. DET (Saturday)
Playoff possibilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 97
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff place: M3
Video games left: 6
Subsequent sport: @ BOS (Saturday)
Playoff possibilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 92
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff place: WC2
Video games left: 8
Subsequent sport: @ MTL (Saturday)
Playoff possibilities: >99%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 79
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 8
Subsequent sport: @ TOR (Sunday)
Playoff possibilities:
Tragic quantity: 3
Factors: 76
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 8
Subsequent sport: @ LA (Saturday)
Playoff possibilities:
Tragic quantity: 1
Factors: 58
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 8
Subsequent sport: @ SEA (Saturday)
Playoff possibilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E
Factors: 57
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 8
Subsequent sport: @ BUF (Saturday)
Playoff possibilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E
Central Division
Factors: 114
Regulation wins: 44
Playoff place: C1
Video games left: 8
Subsequent sport: vs. CAR (Saturday)
Playoff possibilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 98
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff place: C2
Video games left: 9
Subsequent sport: @ STL (Saturday)
Playoff possibilities: >99%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 98
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff place: C3
Video games left: 8
Subsequent sport: vs. MIN (Saturday)
Playoff possibilities: >99%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 89
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff place: WC1
Video games left: 8
Subsequent sport: vs. CHI (Saturday)
Playoff possibilities: 90%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 89
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff place: WC2
Video games left: 8
Subsequent sport: vs. SJ (Saturday)
Playoff possibilities: 89%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 81
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 7
Subsequent sport: @ TB (Saturday)
Playoff possibilities:
Tragic quantity: 6
Factors: 61
Regulation wins: 15
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 8
Subsequent sport: @ NSH (Saturday)
Playoff possibilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E
Factors: 49
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 8
Subsequent sport: @ CGY (Saturday)
Playoff possibilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E
Pacific Division
Factors: 99
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff place: P1
Video games left: 8
Subsequent sport: vs. ARI (Saturday)
Playoff possibilities: >99%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 92
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff place: P2
Video games left: 7
Subsequent sport: vs. VGK (Saturday)
Playoff possibilities: 98%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 88
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff place: P3
Video games left: 6
Subsequent sport: vs. CBJ (Saturday)
Playoff possibilities: 50%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 87
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 7
Subsequent sport: @ EDM (Saturday)
Playoff possibilities: 63%
Tragic quantity: 12
Factors: 84
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 7
Subsequent sport: vs. DAL (Monday)
Playoff possibilities: 10%
Tragic quantity: 9
Factors: 72
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 6
Subsequent sport: vs. CBJ (Sunday)
Playoff possibilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E
Factors: 69
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 9
Subsequent sport: @ DAL (Saturday)
Playoff possibilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E
Factors: 52
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 9
Subsequent sport: vs. NJ (Saturday)
Playoff possibilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E
Race for the No. 1 decide
The NHL makes use of a draft lottery to find out the order on the prime of the primary spherical, so the group that finishes in final place just isn’t assured the No. 1 choice. As of 2021, a group could transfer up a most of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so solely 11 groups are eligible for the draw for the No. 1 decide. Full details on the process can be found here.
Factors: 49
Regulation wins: 16
Factors: 51
Regulation wins: 14
Factors: 52
Regulation wins: 20
Factors: 57
Regulation wins: 18
Factors: 58
Regulation wins: 18
Factors: 61
Regulation wins: 15
Factors: 62
Regulation wins: 24
Factors: 65
Regulation wins: 21
Factors: 68
Regulation wins: 18
Factors: 69
Regulation wins: 20
Factors: 72
Regulation wins: 20
Factors: 76
Regulation wins: 24
Factors: 79
Regulation wins: 32
Factors: 81
Regulation wins: 28
Factors: 84
Regulation wins: 30
Factors: 87
Regulation wins: 33
Notes on conditionally traded picks impacting the highest 16:
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Columbus will obtain Chicago’s first-round decide if Chicago doesn’t win both of the 2 attracts within the 2022 draft lottery. In any other case, the decide defers to 2023.
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Buffalo will obtain Vegas’ first-round decide whether it is outdoors the highest 10 choices. In any other case, the decide defers to 2023.