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ESPN staff
Today, we interrupt your regular NHL playoff watch to present a roundtable discussion about what our panel will be paying attention to these final days.
We highlight the most important games of the week, as well as potential X-factors. Then we offer our take on the first round bracket.
What’s the biggest game this week on the schedule?
Arda Ocal, NHL Host:Except for the one I host on Monday between the Chicago Blackhawks Philadelphia Flyers (8 p.m. ET, ESPN+ and HuluI will add: Dallas Stars–Vegas Golden KnightsTuesday. This is the most important point of the season. But don’t sleep on St. Louis Blues–Colorado Avalanche (Tuesday at 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPNThis could be a second round matchup.
Kristen Shilton, NHL reporter: Vegas vs. Dallas on Tuesday. It’s basically a playoff game. The Stars and the Golden Knights have been competing for the final wild-card spot within the West. This game could be viewed as the final nail in the coffin of one of these teams. It’s a big game.
Greg Wyshynski, NHL reporter:Answer: Tuesday’s Golden Knights and Stars. You shouldn’t forget about Tuesday night’s Undercard. Carolina HurricanesAt the New York Rangers. The Rangers have a chance to win the Metropolitan Division. This would open up their playoff options beyond the Penguins in No. 2 vs. 3. This could potentially include the Tampa Bay LightningThe Boston BruinsThe Washington Capitals. There’s no shame in finishing second, considering how the Rangers have controlled the Penguins this season.
Which player will be the biggest “X” factor this week?
Ocal: Evgenii Dadonov. He will have an incredible week, consolidating his lead as the Golden Knights’ top scorer after the trade deadline. “failed trade” sagaIt is over.
Shilton: Logan Thompson. While Vegas’ postseason hopes are not being discussed, all eyes will be on the young netminder who tries to help them get a berth without their usual No. 1 goalie Robin Lehner.
Wyshynski: Joe Pavelski. Moments like these are why the Stars signed him again in 2019. This season, he has scored two goals against the Golden Knights — and more history than his previous games against them. San Jose Sharks days. His line with Jason Robertson Roope HintzPavs has been a strong engine for the Stars as well as one of the NHL’s greatest. Pavs’ best is in games like these.
How do you see the final bracket in the playoffs?
Ocal: A1 Florida PanthersWC2 vs. WC1 Washington Capitals
A2 Toronto Maple LeafsA3 vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
M1 Carolina HurricanesWC1 vs. Boston Bruins
M2 New York Rangersvs. M3 Pittsburgh Penguins
C1 Colorado Avalanchevs. W2 Vegas Golden Knights
C2 St. Louis BluesC3 vs. Minnesota Wild
P1 Calgary Flamesvs. WC1 Nashville Predators
P2 Edmonton OilersP3 vs. Los Angeles Kings
Shilton: A1 Florida Panthers vs. WC2 Washington Capitals
A2 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. A3 Tampa Bay Lightning
M1 New York Rangers vs. WC1 Boston Bruins
M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 Pittsburgh Penguins
C1 Colorado Avalanche vs. WC2 Vegas Golden Knights
C2 Minnesota Wild vs. C3 St. Louis Blues
P1 Calgary Flames vs. WC1 Nashville Predators
P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings
Wyshynski: 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
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
Now, let’s look at all the playoff races.
Notable: Playoff opportunities are via FiveThirtyEight. Tragic statistics are courtesy of Damian EchevarrietaNHL
Jump ahead:
Current playoff matchups
Friday’s games
Thursday 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
Notice: All times Eastern.
Philadelphia FlyersAt Chicago Blackhawks, 8 p.m. (ESPN+, Hulu)
Scoreboard from last night
You can watch In the Crease on ESPN+Highlights from every game.
Detroit Red Wings 3, New Jersey Devils 0
Carolina Hurricanes 5, New York Islanders 2
Columbus Blue Jackets 5, Edmonton Oilers 2
Philadelphia Flyers 4, Pittsburgh Penguins 1
Tampa Bay Lightning 8, Florida Panthers 4
Toronto Maple Leafs 4, Washington Capitals 3 (SO)
Winnipeg Jets 4, Colorado Avalanche 1
Boston Bruins 5, Montreal Canadiens 3
Minnesota Wild 5, Nashville Predators 4 (OT)
St. Louis Blues 6, Anaheim Ducks 3
San Jose Sharks 5, Vegas Golden Knights 4 (SO)
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 Playoff: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 111
Regulation wins 43
Playoff position A2
Games left: 2
Next game vs. DET (Tuesday)
Chances of winning the Playoffs 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 106
Regulation wins 37
Playoff position A3
Games left: 3
Next gameCBJ vs. BBJ (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)
Chances of winning the Playoffs 0%
Tragic number:E
Points: 72
Regulation wins 20
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 2
Next game@ TOR
Chances of winning the Playoffs 0%
Tragic number:E
Points: 69
Regulation wins 25
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 3
Next gameNJ vs. NJ (Tuesday).
Chances of winning the Playoffs 0%
Tragic number:E
Points: 51
Regulation wins 14
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 2
Next game @ NYR (Wednesday)
Chances of winning the Playoff: 0%
Tragic number:E
Metropolitan Division
Points: 112
Regulation wins 45
Playoff position M1
Games left: 2
Next gameNYR (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 of winning the Playoffs 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 101
Regulation wins 36
Playoff position M3
Games left: 2
Next gameEDM vs. SV (Tuesday).
Chances of winning the Playoff: 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 number:E
Points: 79
Regulation wins 25
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 3
Next game@ TB (Tuesday).
Chances of winning the Playoffs 0%
Tragic number:E
Points: 62
Regulation wins 19
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 3
Next game@ OTT (Tuesday).
Chances of winning the Playoffs 0%
Tragic number:E
Points: 61
Regulation wins 20
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 3
Next game@ CHI Monday
Chances of winning the Playoff: 0%
Tragic number:E
Central Division
Points: 116
Regulation wins 45
Playoff position C1
Games left: 3
Next gameSTL vs. STL
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 of winning the Playoff: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 109
Regulation wins 43
Playoff position C3
Games left: 2
Next game@ COL (Tuesday).
Chances of winning the Playoff: 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 Playoff: 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 number:E
Points: 63
Regulation wins 15
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 3
Next gamePHI (Monday).
Chances of winning the Playoffs 0%
Tragic number:E
Points: 51
Regulation wins 16
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 3
Next game@ MIN (Tuesday).
Chances of winning the Playoffs 0%
Tragic number:E
Pacific Division
Points: 108
Regulation wins 44
Playoff position P1
Games left: 3
Next game@ NSH (Tuesday).
Chances of winning the Playoff: 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 11%
Tragic number: 4
Points: 87
Regulation wins 31
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 3
Next gamevs. SEA, Tuesday
Chances of winning the Playoffs
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 number:E
Points: 74
Regulation wins 21
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 2
Next game@ SJ (Tuesday).
Chances of winning the Playoff: 0%
Tragic number:E
Points: 58
Regulation wins 22
Playoff position N/A
Games left: 4
Next game@ VAN (Tuesday).
Chances of winning the Playoffs 0%
Tragic number:E
The No. Race for the No.
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. 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 is scheduled for 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: 63
Regulation wins 15
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 on the impact of conditionally traded picks on the top 16
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Chicago will pick Columbus’s first round pick if Chicago fails to 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. If it is not in the top 10, then the pick will be deferred to 2023.