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Tim KavanaghESPN.com
Connor McDavid Nathan MacKinnonThese two players are among the top hockey players around the world. They have not come close to winning this Stanley Cup, but one of them could be guaranteed a place in the Stanley Cup Final if things go a certain direction during the postseason.
The No. 1 seed in the Western Conference has been clinched by the Avs. The Avs are currently the No.1 seed in Western Conference and could be in the running for the Presidents’ Trophy, which recognizes the NHL’s top overall team this regular season. They’ll be facing the West’s No. 2 wild card (currently, the Dallas Stars) in the first round, followed by the winner of the St. Louis Blues–Minnesota WildSeries in the second round to reach the Conference finals. Per Money PuckThe chance for the Avs to make it this far is 43.4%
The Oilers have a series against the No. 3 seed in Pacific Division. Currently the Los Angeles Kings. They’ll be facing the winner of the series if they win that one. Calgary FlamesAgainst the No. 1 wildcard (currently the Nashville Predators). The Oilers have a 24.6% chance to reach the Conference finals thanks to Money Puck.
Both teams will be able to make it to the next showdown by taking advantage of the still-raging Western wild card race. However, we will be closely watching their game tonight (9 ET, streaming live ESPN+Subscribers outside the market can view a preview of this potential matchup.
As we approach the end of the 2021-22 regular-season, it’s time for us to review all the playoff races and the teams that are vying for positions in the 2022 NHL draft lottery.
Take note: Playoff possibilities are via FiveThirtyEight. Tragic numbers are the result of Damian EchevarrietaNHL
Jump ahead:
Current playoff matchups
Wednesday’s games
Tuesday 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
Tonight’s games
Notice: All times Eastern. All games outside-of-market and non-NHL Network available to stream on ESPN+.
Ottawa SenatorsAt Columbus Blue Jackets, 7 p.m.
Seattle Krakenat Minnesota Wild, 8 p.m. (NHLN)
Colorado Avalancheat Edmonton Oilers, 9 p.m.
Washington CapitalsAt Arizona Coyotes, 10:30 p.m.
Scoreboard from last night
Highlights from every game can be seen on ESPN+, Watch In the Crease
Philadelphia Flyers 6, Montreal Canadiens 3
Florida Panthers 5, Detroit Red Wings 2
Buffalo Sabres 5, New Jersey Devils 2
Pittsburgh Penguins 4, Boston Bruins 0
Carolina Hurricanes 4, Winnipeg Jets 2
New York Rangers 6, New York Islanders 3
Tampa Bay Lightning 8, Toronto Maple Leafs 1
Minnesota Wild 6, Vancouver Canucks 3
Calgary Flames 4, Dallas Stars 2
Los Angeles Kings 4, Chicago Blackhawks 1
St. Louis Blues 3, San Jose Sharks 1
Expansion of standings
Notice: x = clinched playoff slot; y = division title; and z = best conference record;
Atlantic Division
Points: 118
Regulation wins 41
Playoff position A1
Games left: 5
Next game:vs. TO (Saturday).
Playoff possibilities: 100%
Tragic number N/A
Points: 108
Regulation wins 43
Playoff position A2
Games left: 4
Next game:@ FLA Saturday
Chances for the playoffs: 100%
Tragic number N/A
Points: 102
Regulation wins 35
Playoff position A3
Games left: 5
Next game:NSH vs. SV (Saturday).
Chances of winning the Playoffs 100%
Tragic number N/A
Points: 99
Regulation wins 36
Playoff position WC1
Games left: 5
Next game:vs. NYR
Playoff possibilities: 100%
Tragic number N/A
Points: 71
Regulation wins 24
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 4
Next game:vs. NYI
Chances of winning the Playoff: 0%
Tragic numberE
Points: 70
Regulation wins 19
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 4
Next game: vs. PIT (Saturday).
Playoff possibilities: 0%
Tragic numberE
Points: 65
Regulation wins 24
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 5
Next game:@ CBJ (Friday).
Chances of winning the Playoffs 0%
Tragic numberE
Points: 51
Regulation wins 14
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 4
Next game:@ OTT Saturday
Playoff possibilities: 0%
Tragic numberE
Metropolitan Division
Points: 108
Regulation wins 44
Playoff position M1
Games left: 4
Next game:@ NJ (Saturday).
Playoff possibilities: 100%
Tragic number N/A
Points: 108
Regulation wins 43
Playoff position M2
Games left: 4
Next game: @ BOS (Saturday)
Playoff possibilities: 100%
Tragic number N/A
Points: 99
Regulation wins 35
Playoff position M3
Games left: 4
Next game: @ DET (Saturday)
Chances for the playoffs: 100%
Tragic number N/A
Points: 97
Regulation wins 34
Playoff position WC2
Games left: 5
Next game:@ ARI (Friday).
Playoff possibilities: 100%
Tragic number N/A
Points: 80
Regulation wins 32
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 5
Next game:@ BUF (Saturday).
Playoff possibilities: 0%
Tragic numberE
Points: 76
Regulation wins 24
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 5
Next game:OTT vs. OTT (Friday).
Chances of winning the Playoff: 0%
Tragic numberE
Points: 61
Regulation wins 19
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 5
Next game: vs. CAR (Saturday).
Chances of winning the Playoff: 0%
Tragic numberE
Points: 59
Regulation wins 19
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 4
Next game: vs. PIT (Sunday).
Chances for the playoffs: 0%
Tragic numberE
Central Division
Points: 116
Regulation wins 45
Playoff position C1
Games left: 5
Next game:@ EDM (Friday).
Chances of winning the Playoff: 100%
Tragic number N/A
Points: 105
Regulation wins 35
Playoff position C2
Games left: 5
Next game:SEA (Friday) vs. SEA
Playoff possibilities: 100%
Tragic number N/A
Points: 105
Regulation wins 42
Playoff position C3
Games left: 4
Next game:@ ARI (Saturday).
Playoff possibilities: 100%
Tragic number N/A
Points: 93
Regulation wins 35
Playoff position WC1
Games left: 5
Next game:@ TB Saturday
Chances for the playoffs: 98%
Tragic number N/A
Points: 91
Regulation wins 29
Playoff position WC2
Games left: 4
Next game:vs. SEA
Chances of winning the Playoffs 77%
Tragic number N/A
Points: 81
Regulation wins 28
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 4
Next game:vs. COL (Sunday).
Playoff possibilities: 0%
Tragic numberE
Points: 63
Regulation wins 15
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 4
Next game:@ SJ
Playoff possibilities: 0%
Tragic numberE
Points: 50
Regulation wins 16
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 5
Next game:WSH (Friday).
Playoff possibilities: 0%
Tragic numberE
Pacific Division
Points: 106
Regulation wins 43
Playoff position P1
Games left: 4
Next game:VAN (Saturday), vs.
Playoff possibilities: 100%
Tragic number N/A
Points: 96
Regulation wins 36
Playoff position P2
Games left: 5
Next game:vs. COL (Friday)
Chances of winning the Playoffs >99%
Tragic number N/A
Points: 94
Regulation wins 33
Playoff position P3
Games left: 3
Next game:vs. ANA
Chances for the playoffs: 95%
Tragic number N/A
Points: 89
Regulation wins 33
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 4
Next game:SJ (Monday) vs. SV
Playoff possibilities: 28%
Tragic number 7
Points: 87
Regulation wins 31
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 4
Next game:@ CGY (Saturday).
Playoff possibilities: 2%
Tragic number 5
Points: 74
Regulation wins 21
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 4
Next game:LA (Saturday).
Chances of winning the Playoff: 0%
Tragic numberE
Points: 72
Regulation wins 21
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 5
Next game:CHI vs. CHI Saturday
Chances of winning the Playoff: 0%
Tragic numberE
Points: 58
Regulation wins 22
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 6
Next game:@ MIN (Friday).
Playoff possibilities: 0%
Tragic numberE
You can race for the No. The No. 1 pick
The NHL uses a draft lottery as a way to determine the order of play in the first round. Therefore, the No. 1 pick is not guaranteed for the team that finishes last. 1 selection. A team can move up to a maximum of 10 places if it wins the lottery. Only 11 teams are eligible for the draw. 1 pick. Full details on the process can be found here. The 2022 draft lottery will take place on May 10.
Points: 50
Regulation wins 16
Points: 51
Regulation wins 14
Points: 58
Regulation wins 22
Points: 59
Regulation wins 19
Points: 61
Regulation wins 19
Points: 63
Regulation wins 15
Points: 65
Regulation wins 24
Points: 70
Regulation wins 19
Points: 71
Regulation wins 24
Points: 72
Regulation wins 21
Points: 74
Regulation wins 21
Points: 76
Regulation wins 24
Points: 80
Regulation wins 32
Points: 81
Regulation wins 28
Points: 87
Regulation wins 31
Points: 89
Regulation wins 33
Notes on the impact of conditionally traded picks on the top 16
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Chicago will pick Columbus’s first-round selection if Chicago does NOT win one of the two 2022 draft lottery draws. The pick will be deferred to 2023 if Chicago does not win either of the two draws in the 2022 draft lottery.
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If Buffalo is not among the top 10, Vegas will pick Buffalo’s first round pick. The pick is deferred to 2023 if the pick falls outside of the top 10.