It's a typically busy Thursday night in the NHL, with 14 games on the schedule. And there are some absolute gems among those 14 contests, including several that could be run back during the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs.
The early window includes three games that could take place in either the first round of the Eastern Conference bracket or further down the road:
The wild-card Washington Capitals visit the Atlantic's No. 3 seed, the Toronto Maple Leafs (7 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+)
Though their hopes are dwindling, the New York Islanders could wind up as a wild card, and their first-round matchup could come with the Florida Panthers, who remain in the mix to take the Atlantic crown (7 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+)
Finally, another potential division champ vs. wild card matchup pits the Detroit Red Wings against the Carolina Hurricanes (7:30 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+)
A little later, we'll see a rematch of a first-round matchup from last season (that could potentially be one this season as well), as the Vegas Golden Knights take on the Winnipeg Jets (8 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+). Meanwhile, it's looking increasingly likely that the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings will square off in the first round for a third straight postseason, and those two will take the ice against one another Thursday (9 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+).
Two of the best teams in the Western Conference, the division-leading Dallas Stars and Vancouver Canucks, will square off Thursday (10 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+), and potentially again in the Western Conference finals.
The eyes of the hockey-loving world will be monitoring Thursday's main event: A potential Stanley Cup Final matchup between two juggernauts, as the New York Rangers visit the Colorado Avalanche (9 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+).
It'll be a busy night, with mathematical implications in the standings and psychological implications for possible matchups later this spring.
As we traverse the final stretch of the regular season, it's time to check in on all the playoff races -- along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2024 NHL draft lottery.
Note: Playoff chances are via Stathletes.
Jump ahead:
Current playoff matchups
Clinching scenarios
Thursday's schedule
Wednesday's scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick
Current playoff matchups
Eastern Conference
A1 Boston Bruins vs. WC1 Tampa Bay Lightning
A2 Florida Panthers vs. A3 Toronto Maple Leafs
M1 New York Rangers vs. WC2 Washington Capitals
M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 Philadelphia Flyers
Western Conference
C1 Dallas Stars vs. WC2 Vegas Golden Knights
C2 Colorado Avalanche vs. C3 Winnipeg Jets
P1 Vancouver Canucks vs. WC1 Nashville Predators
P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings
Clinching scenarios
1. The Florida Panthers will clinch a playoff berth if they defeat the New York Islanders in any fashion. They will also clinch if they lose in overtime or shootout AND either the Detroit Red Wings lose to the Carolina Hurricanes in any fashion or the Philadelphia Flyers lose to the Montreal Canadiens in regulation. The Panthers will also clinch if the Red Wings lose to the Hurricanes in regulation.
2. The Hurricanes will clinch a playoff berth if they win in any fashion against the Red Wings. The Canes will also clinch if they lose in overtime or shootout AND the Flyers lose to the Canadiens in regulation.
3. The Boston Bruins will clinch a playoff berth if the Red Wings lose to the Canes in any fashion OR the Flyers lose to the Canadiens in regulation.
4. The Dallas Stars will clinch a playoff berth if they win against the Vancouver Canucks in any fashion. They will also clinch a berth if they lose in overtime or shootout AND
The St. Louis Blues lose to the Calgary Flames in any fashion OR
The Minnesota Wild lose to the San Jose Sharks in any fashion AND the Blues lose to the Flames in regulation
5. The Canucks will clinch a playoff berth if they win against the Stars in any fashion. They can also qualify for the postseason if they lose in overtime or shootout AND
The Blues lose to the Flames in any fashion OR
The Wild lose to the Sharks in any fashion AND the Blues lose to the Flames in regulation
6. The Colorado Avalanche will clinch a playoff berth with a win of any kind against the New York Rangers coupled with a Blues loss of any kind. They can also qualify with an overtime or shootout loss paired with a Wild loss of any fashion AND a Blues loss in regulation.
Thursday's games
Note: All times ET. All games not on TNT or NHL Network are available via NHL Power Play, which is included in an ESPN+ subscription (local blackout restrictions apply).
Washington Capitals at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m.
Philadelphia Flyers at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m.
Chicago Blackhawks at Ottawa Senators, 7 p.m.
New York Islanders at Florida Panthers, 7 p.m.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Pittsburgh Penguins, 7 p.m.
Detroit Red Wings at Carolina Hurricanes, 7:30 p.m.
Calgary Flames at St. Louis Blues, 8 p.m.
San Jose Sharks at Minnesota Wild, 8 p.m.
Vegas Golden Knights at Winnipeg Jets, 8 p.m.
New York Rangers at Colorado Avalanche, 9 p.m.
Los Angeles Kings at Edmonton Oilers, 9 p.m.
Dallas Stars at Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m.
Nashville Predators at Arizona Coyotes, 10 p.m.
Anaheim Ducks at Seattle Kraken, 10 p.m.
Wednesday's scoreboard
Ottawa Senators 6, Buffalo Sabres 2
Tampa Bay Lightning 3, Boston Bruins 1
Expanded standings
Atlantic Division
Boston Bruins
Points: 99
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 8
Points pace: 110
Next game: @ WSH (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Florida Panthers
Points: 97
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 10
Points pace: 111
Next game: vs. NYI (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Toronto Maple Leafs
Points: 89
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 11
Points pace: 103
Next game: vs. WSH (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Tampa Bay Lightning
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 10
Points pace: 99
Next game: vs. NYI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 98.7%
Tragic number: N/A
Detroit Red Wings
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 90
Next game: @ CAR (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 24.5%
Tragic number: 18
Buffalo Sabres
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 82
Next game: vs. NJ (Friday)
Playoff chances: 1.4%
Tragic number: 10
Ottawa Senators
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 76
Next game: vs. CHI (Thursday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 7
Montreal Canadiens
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 76
Next game: vs. PHI (Thursday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 7
Metropolitan Division
x - New York Rangers
Points: 100
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 10
Points pace: 114
Next game: @ COL (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Carolina Hurricanes
Points: 97
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 9
Points pace: 109
Next game: vs. DET (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Philadelphia Flyers
Points: 82
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 9
Points pace: 92
Next game: @ MTL (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 86.6%
Tragic number: N/A
Washington Capitals
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 11
Points pace: 94
Next game: @ TOR (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 65.1%
Tragic number: N/A
New Jersey Devils
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 85
Next game: @ BUF (Friday)
Playoff chances: 11.7%
Tragic number: 13
New York Islanders
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 87
Next game: @ FLA (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 10.8%
Tragic number: 16
Pittsburgh Penguins
Points: 72
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 83
Next game: vs. CBJ (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 1.2%
Tragic number: 13
e - Columbus Blue Jackets
Points: 58
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 66
Next game: @ PIT (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Central Division
Dallas Stars
Points: 99
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 9
Points pace: 111
Next game: @ VAN (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Colorado Avalanche
Points: 97
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 10
Points pace: 111
Next game: vs. NYR (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Winnipeg Jets
Points: 94
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 10
Points pace: 107
Next game: vs. VGK (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Nashville Predators
Points: 90
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 10
Points pace: 103
Next game: @ ARI (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 99.8%
Tragic number: N/A
St. Louis Blues
Points: 80
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 91
Next game: vs. CGY (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 4.3%
Tragic number: 14
Minnesota Wild
Points: 77
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 89
Next game: vs. SJ (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 2%
Tragic number: 13
e - Arizona Coyotes
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 74
Next game: vs. NSH (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
e - Chicago Blackhawks
Points: 47
Regulation wins: 15
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 54
Next game: @ OTT (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Pacific Division
Vancouver Canucks
Points: 98
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 10
Points pace: 112
Next game: vs. DAL (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Edmonton Oilers
Points: 90
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 12
Points pace: 105
Next game: vs. LA (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Los Angeles Kings
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 11
Points pace: 101
Next game: @ EDM (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 99.3%
Tragic number: N/A
Vegas Golden Knights
Points: 86
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 10
Points pace: 98
Next game: @ WPG (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 94.5%
Tragic number: N/A
Calgary Flames
Points: 71
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 82
Next game: @ STL (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 7
Seattle Kraken
Points: 71
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 82
Next game: vs. ANA (Thursday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 7
e - Anaheim Ducks
Points: 52
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 59
Next game: @ SEA (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
e - San Jose Sharks
Points: 40
Regulation wins: 12
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 46
Next game: @ MIN (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
p -- clinched Presidents' Trophy
y -- clinched division
x -- clinched playoff berth
e -- eliminated from playoff contention
Race for the No. 1 pick
The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. As of 2021, a team can move up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so only 11 teams are eligible for the draw for the No. 1 pick. Full details on the process can be found here. Sitting No. 1 on the draft board for this summer is Macklin Celebrini, a freshman at Boston University.
1. San Jose Sharks
Points: 40
Regulation wins: 12
2. Chicago Blackhawks
Points: 47
Regulation wins: 15
3. Anaheim Ducks
Points: 52
Regulation wins: 18
4. Columbus Blue Jackets
Points: 58
Regulation wins: 18
5. Ottawa Senators
Points: 64
Regulation wins: 21
6. Arizona Coyotes
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 24
7. Montreal Canadiens
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 17
8. Seattle Kraken
Points: 71
Regulation wins: 23
9. Calgary Flames
Points: 71
Regulation wins: 28
10. Pittsburgh Penguins*
Points: 72
Regulation wins: 26
11. Buffalo Sabres
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 28
12. New York Islanders
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 22
13. New Jersey Devils
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 31
14. Minnesota Wild
Points: 77
Regulation wins: 27
15. Detroit Red Wings
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 25
16. St. Louis Blues
Points: 80
Regulation wins: 28
* The Penguins' first-round pick was traded to the Sharks as part of the Erik Karlsson trade. However, it is top-10 protected.