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ESPN staff
Tonight's NHL schedule includes 13 games, including five between teams in the playoffs. The most important matchup is the Dallas StarsHosting the Vegas Golden Knights (8:30 ETLive streaming on ESPN+ available for customers who are not in the local market
The Knights chase the Stars and are the pursuers of the Nashville PredatorsThe Western wild-card race is underway. The Predators have the first wild-card (94 points and 35 regulation wins) while the Stars have the second (93 point, 30 regulation victories). The Knights currently have 90 points and 33 regulation victories, so losing regulation tonight would be catastrophic for their postseason chances.
Our panel has compiled a list of X-factors for the matchup and made their predictions as to how they will play out.
Which player will play the largest X factor in this game's decision?
Victoria Matiash, NHL analystIce-cold Jack EichelBrings his best to the American Airlines Center, and scores one, if it is not a pairVegas should finish one point behind the West's second wild card team. Particularly if the forward pair of Max Pacioretty Chandler StephensonAs has been the recent tradition of this duo, you can contribute. If not, I don't admire the Golden Knights' chances.
Arda Ocal is the NHL host: Logan ThompsonMy pick is because it will be a tremendous effort for any Vegas goalie if they are to make it in this crucial match.
Kristen Shilton, NHL reporter:Dallas' X factor will feature veteran center Joe Pavelski. The Stars rank in the lower half the league in scoring, with an average of less than three goals per games. Your stars must perform when there is a team-wide race for goals. Pavelski's career year will be a highlight of Pavelski's career.
Thompson is Vegas' X-factor. Considering how the Golden Knights' top players have performed in front him lately — look at you! Alex PietrangeloVegas' fate is dependent on Thompson's ability to perform.
Greg Wyshynski, NHL reporter:It's the Stars that Matter Jason Robertson. As an energetic force in the Dallas lineup, the 22-year old winger has been quiet but steady MVP buzz. He scores at least one point for the Stars, 32-11-4. His line with Pavelski Roope HintzHe is one the NHL's best and undoubtedly the Stars best player this season. He has 38 goals. Robertson would love to break 40.
It's Pacioretty for the Golden Knights. He has three points in straight games and has eaten the Stars while he was with the Knights: nine in six games, eight at even strength. He scored five goals against Dallas, with Vegas. While there might be more important players for the Knights on the ice, Pacioretty could be an integral part of the game-breaker.
Which prediction is your final score?
Matiash: 4-2, Vegas. This fight is prolonged by the more desperate team.
Ocal: 3-1, Vegas. I agree that it needs one more and it will go off on fire.
Shilton:It'll be a thrilling night, according to Vegas. The offense will be more involved, as Dallas is known for its slugfests. Let's talk about the middle: 4-3, Stars.
Wyshynski:Vegas wins this game 3-1 in regulation. Anaheim and Arizona are defeated by Dallas in Dallas' last two games. Los Angeles KingsBoth the Nashville Predators and the Golden Knights earn enough points to be kept out of the playoffs.
They won't lose to Dallas, but the Knights won't qualify. They won't be able to qualify because they only took one point from two home games against Dallas. New Jersey Devils San Jose SharksThis was unacceptable, especially when you consider what happened to the former.
How devastating would Vegas's failure to make the playoffs be on a scale from 1-10?
Matiash: 8.5. Injuries can be used as an excuse by the organization. Max Pacioretty, Mark Stone(still not right) Alec Martinez, Reilly Smith (still out), Robin LehnerSome have had to miss significant time because of different medical issues. However, every team must deal with injuries to key players. This team was considered a playoff favorite, if not the top Stanley Cup contender. BeforeThey traded Eichel. So yeah, quite devastating.
Ocal: 11. Given all their moves, the optics would be very difficult. People have been citing Sabres and Knights records since Eichel joined his new team. Vegas went all in this season. It would have been a terrible loss.
Shilton: 10. Vegas traded Eichel for a lot of money. This roster is full of talent. To circumvent the salary-cap restrictions, they have sorted through every detail. All that excellence and effort amounts to… nothing? Disastrous.
Wyshynski: 7. Due to mitigating circumstances, I am a bit lower on the panic scale of the Knights — though many of these were their own. Although they were hit hard by injuries at the wrong times, their cap mismanagement only made matters worse when they had to suspend some players in order to make room for others. They didn't get a full season of Eichel. Their goaltending was second in the NHL with Marc-Andre FleuryRobin Lehner to 21st place in the NHL. Lehner was limited to 44 games and then missed the final two games due to shoulder surgery and a knee injury.
Fleury was 8-1-0 in the meantime following his trade with the Minnesota WildBy the deadline
Any higher than a 7, I believe, means wholesale changes. Carey PriceIt was suggested here. A 7 indicates that they haven't done anything more dramatic than firing Pete DeBoer. This would be dramatic but not as significant as some might think. The team is still of championship-caliber and needs to be re-calibrated in the offseason.
Now, let's look at all the playoff races.
Take note: Playoff possibilities are via FiveThirtyEight. Tragic numbers are the result of Damian EchevarrietaNHL
Jump ahead:
Current playoff matchups
Today's games
Last night's scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick
Current playoff matchups
Eastern Conference
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 Conference
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
Today's games
Please note: All times Eastern. All games outside of the market can be streamed live on ESPN+
Florida Panthersat Boston Bruins, 7 p.m.
New Jersey Devilsat Ottawa Senators, 7 p.m.
Columbus Blue Jacketsat Tampa Bay Lightning, 7 p.m.
Carolina Hurricanesat New York Rangers, 7 p.m.
Edmonton Oilersat Pittsburgh Penguins, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
New York IslandersAt Washington Capitals, 7 p.m.
Detroit Red WingsAt Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m.
Calgary Flamesat Nashville Predators, 8 p.m.
Arizona CoyotesAt Minnesota Wild, 8 p.m.
Vegas Golden Knightsat Dallas Stars, 8:30 p.m.
St. Louis Bluesat Colorado Avalanche, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Seattle KrakenAt Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m.
Anaheim Ducksat San Jose Sharks, 10:30 p.m.
Scoreboard from last night
Keep an eye out In the Crease on ESPN+Highlights from every game.
Chicago Blackhawks 3, Philadelphia Flyers 1
Increased standings
Notice: x = clinched playoff slot; y = division title; and z = best conference record;
Atlantic Division
Points: 120
Regulation wins 41
Playoff position A1
Games left: 3
Next game @ BOS (Tuesday)
Chances of winning the Playoffs 100%
Tragic number N/A
Points: 111
Regulation wins 43
Playoff position A2
Games left: 2
Next game vs. DET (Tuesday)
Playoff possibilities: 100%
Tragic number N/A
Points: 106
Regulation wins 37
Playoff position A3
Games left: 3
Next gameCBJ vs. CBJ (Tuesday).
Chances of winning the Playoffs 100%
Tragic number N/A
Points: 103
Regulation wins 38
Playoff position WC1
Games left: 3
Next gamevs. FLA
Chances of winning the Playoffs 100%
Tragic number N/A
Points: 73
Regulation wins 25
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 2
Next game @ BOS (Thursday)
Playoff possibilities: 0%
Tragic numberE
Points: 72
Regulation wins 20
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 2
Next game@ TOR
Playoff possibilities: 0%
Tragic numberE
Points: 69
Regulation wins 25
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 3
Next gameNJ vs. VT (Tuesday).
Chances of winning the Playoffs 0%
Tragic numberE
Points: 51
Regulation wins 14
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 2
Next game @ NYR (Wednesday)
Playoff possibilities: 0%
Tragic numberE
Metropolitan Division
Points: 112
Regulation wins 45
Playoff position M1
Games left: 2
Next game@ NYR (Tuesday).
Chances of winning the Playoffs 100%
Tragic number N/A
Points: 108
Regulation wins 43
Playoff position M2
Games left: 3
Next game vs. CAR (Tuesday).
Chances for the playoffs: 100%
Tragic number N/A
Points: 101
Regulation wins 36
Playoff position M3
Games left: 2
Next gameEDM vs. CS (Tuesday).
Playoff possibilities: 100%
Tragic number N/A
Points: 100
Regulation wins 35
Playoff position WC2
Games left: 3
Next gamevs. NYI
Chances of winning the Playoffs 100%
Tragic number N/A
Points: 80
Regulation wins 32
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 3
Next game@ WSH (Tuesday).
Chances of winning the Playoffs 0%
Tragic numberE
Points: 79
Regulation wins 25
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 3
Next game@ TB Tuesday
Chances of winning the Playoffs 0%
Tragic numberE
Points: 62
Regulation wins 19
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 3
Next game@ OTT
Chances for the playoffs: 0%
Tragic numberE
Points: 61
Regulation wins 20
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 2
Next game @ WPG (Wednesday)
Chances of winning the Playoffs 0%
Tragic numberE
Central Division
Points: 116
Regulation wins 45
Playoff position C1
Games left: 3
Next gameSTL vs. STL (Tuesday).
Chances of winning the Playoffs 100%
Tragic number N/A
Points: 109
Regulation wins 36
Playoff position C2
Games left: 3
Next gamevs. ARI
Chances for the playoffs: 100%
Tragic number N/A
Points: 109
Regulation wins 43
Playoff position C3
Games left: 2
Next game@ COL (Tuesday).
Chances of winning the Playoffs 100%
Tragic number N/A
Points: 94
Regulation wins 35
Playoff position WC1
Games left: 3
Next gamevs. CGY Tuesday
Chances of winning the Playoffs 98%
Tragic number N/A
Points: 93
Regulation wins 30
Playoff position WC2
Games left: 3
Next gamevs. VGK
Chances of winning the Playoffs 91%
Tragic number N/A
Points: 83
Regulation wins 29
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 3
Next game vs. PHI (Wednesday)
Chances of winning the Playoffs 0%
Tragic numberE
Points: 65
Regulation wins 16
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 2
Next gamevs. VGK
Chances for the playoffs: 0%
Tragic numberE
Points: 51
Regulation wins 16
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 3
Next game@ MIN Tuesday
Chances of winning the Playoffs 0%
Tragic numberE
Pacific Division
Points: 108
Regulation wins 44
Playoff position P1
Games left: 3
Next game@ NSH (Tuesday).
Chances for the playoffs: 100%
Tragic number N/A
Points: 98
Regulation wins 37
Playoff position P2
Games left: 3
Next game@ PIT (Tuesday).
Chances of winning the Playoffs 100%
Tragic number N/A
Points: 96
Regulation wins 34
Playoff position P3
Games left: 2
Next game @ SEA (Wednesday)
Chances of winning the Playoffs >99%
Tragic number N/A
Points: 90
Regulation wins 33
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 3
Next game@ DAL (Tuesday).
Chances of winning the Playoffs 12%
Tragic number 4
Points: 87
Regulation wins 31
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 3
Next gamevs. SEA Tuesday
Playoff possibilities:
Tragic number 1
Points: 76
Regulation wins 22
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 3
Next gamevs. ANA
Chances of winning the Playoffs 0%
Tragic numberE
Points: 74
Regulation wins 21
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 2
Next game@ SJ (Tuesday).
Chances of winning the Playoffs 0%
Tragic numberE
Points: 58
Regulation wins 22
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 4
Next game@ VAN Tuesday
Chances of winning the Playoffs 0%
Tragic numberE
The No. Race for the No.
To determine the order in which the teams finish in the first round of the NHL draft lottery, the No. 1 selection is not guaranteed to the last-place team. 1 selection. If a team wins the lottery, it can move up to a maximum of 10 places. This means that only 11 teams will be eligible to draw for the No. 1 pick. Full details on the process can be found here. The 2022 draft lottery will take place on May 10.
Points: 51
Regulation wins 14
Points: 51
Regulation wins 16
Points: 58
Regulation wins 22
Points: 61
Regulation wins 20
Points: 62
Regulation wins 19
Points: 65
Regulation wins 16
Points: 69
Regulation wins 25
Points: 72
Regulation wins 20
Points: 73
Regulation wins 25
Points: 74
Regulation wins 21
Points: 76
Regulation wins 22
Points: 79
Regulation wins 25
Points: 80
Regulation wins 32
Points: 83
Regulation wins 29
Points: 87
Regulation wins 31
Points: 90
Regulation wins 33
Notes about conditionally traded picks that impact the top 16
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If Chicago doesn't win the 2022 draft lottery, Columbus will be Chicago's first round pick. Otherwise, the pick is deferred to 2023.
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If Buffalo isn't among the top 10 picks, Vegas will get Buffalo's first-round selection. If it is not in the top 10, then the pick will be deferred to 2023.
