Of the three Atlantic Division teams that were supposed to make the leap into serious playoff contention this season -- the Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators -- only the Wings realistically remain in the race as the month of April begins.
But with a 3-5-2 record in their past 10 games, their playoff chances are dwindling.
Heading into Monday night's matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning (7 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+), the Red Wings are two points and three regulation wins behind the Washington Capitals and Philadelphia Flyers (two clubs that are also duking it out for the No. 3 spot in the Metro Division).
The good news for Detroit is that Philly has hit a bit of a skid itself, with a 3-5-2 record in its past 10 games as well; in addition, Detroit has a game in hand. Of course, having the extra game doesn't matter if it doesn't turn into a win. Three of the Wings' final seven games beyond Monday are against teams in playoff position (including one against the Capitals). After their Monday game against the New York Islanders (7 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+), the Flyers play two of their final six against teams in playoff position.
What about the Capitals? They have a game in hand on Detroit (and two on Philly). They'll take on the Sabres on Tuesday, then play four of their final eight contests against current playoff teams.
Detroit won its first two games against Tampa Bay this season. A third W on Monday night would be a big boost to the Red Wings' chances of getting back in playoff position.
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 scenario
Monday's schedule
Sunday'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 Philadelphia Flyers
M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 Washington Capitals
Western Conference
C1 Dallas Stars vs. WC2 Los Angeles Kings
C2 Colorado Avalanche vs. C3 Winnipeg Jets
P1 Vancouver Canucks vs. WC1 Nashville Predators
P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Vegas Golden Knights
Clinching scenario
The Toronto Maple Leafs can clinch a playoff berth if they defeat the Florida Panthers in regulation AND both of the following happen:
The Detroit Red Wings lose to the Tampa Bay Lightning in regulation
Any result in the Philadelphia Flyers-New York Islanders game except for an Islanders win in overtime
Toronto can also get in if it defeats Florida in overtime or shootout AND both of the following happen:
The Red Wings lose to the Lightning in regulation
Any result in the Flyers-Islanders game other than an Isles win in OT or the shootout
Monday'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).
Florida Panthers at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m.
Detroit Red Wings at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7 p.m.
Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Rangers, 7 p.m.
New York Islanders at Philadelphia Flyers, 7 p.m.
Colorado Avalanche at Columbus Blue Jackets, 7 p.m.
Edmonton Oilers at St. Louis Blues, 9 p.m. (ESPN+/Hulu)
Los Angeles Kings at Winnipeg Jets, 9 p.m.
Seattle Kraken at San Jose Sharks, 10:30 p.m.
Sunday's scoreboard
Vancouver Canucks 3, Anaheim Ducks 2
Expanded standings
Atlantic Division
x - Boston Bruins
Points: 101
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 7
Points pace: 110
Next game: @ NSH (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
x - Florida Panthers
Points: 99
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 8
Points pace: 110
Next game: @ TOR (Monday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Toronto Maple Leafs
Points: 93
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 9
Points pace: 105
Next game: vs. FLA (Monday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Tampa Bay Lightning
Points: 89
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 9
Points pace: 100
Next game: vs. DET (Monday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Detroit Red Wings
Points: 80
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Points pace: 89
Next game: @ TB (Monday)
Playoff chances: 28.0%
Tragic number: 14
Buffalo Sabres
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 82
Next game: vs. WSH (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0.3%
Tragic number: 7
Ottawa Senators
Points: 70
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 79
Next game: @ MIN (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 6
Montreal Canadiens
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 76
Next game: vs. FLA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 4
Metropolitan Division
x - New York Rangers
Points: 104
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 8
Points pace: 115
Next game: vs. PIT (Monday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
x - Carolina Hurricanes
Points: 101
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 7
Points pace: 110
Next game: vs. BOS (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Washington Capitals
Points: 82
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 9
Points pace: 92
Next game: @ BUF (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 75.5%
Tragic number: N/A
Philadelphia Flyers
Points: 82
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 7
Points pace: 890
Next game: vs. NYI (Monday)
Playoff chances: 71.9%
Tragic number: N/A
New York Islanders
Points: 77
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 87
Next game: @ PHI (Monday)
Playoff chances: 15.6%
Tragic number: 13
New Jersey Devils
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Points pace: 84
Next game: vs. PIT (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 6.9%
Tragic number: 10
Pittsburgh Penguins
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 84
Next game: @ NYR (Monday)
Playoff chances: 1.8%
Tragic number: 11
e - Columbus Blue Jackets
Points: 60
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Points pace: 67
Next game: vs. COL (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Central Division
x - Dallas Stars
Points: 103
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 7
Points pace: 113
Next game: vs. EDM (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
x - Colorado Avalanche
Points: 100
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 8
Points pace: 111
Next game: @ CBJ (Monday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Winnipeg Jets
Points: 94
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 8
Points pace: 104
Next game: vs. LA (Monday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Nashville Predators
Points: 90
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 8
Points pace: 100
Next game: vs. BOS (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.6%
Tragic number: N/A
St. Louis Blues
Points: 82
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Points pace: 91
Next game: vs. EDM (Monday)
Playoff chances: 1.8%
Tragic number: 11
Minnesota Wild
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 89
Next game: vs. OTT (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 1.4%
Tragic number: 10
e - Arizona Coyotes
Points: 67
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Points pace: 74
Next game: vs. VAN (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
e - Chicago Blackhawks
Points: 49
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Points pace: 54
Next game: @ NYI (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Pacific Division
x - Vancouver Canucks
Points: 100
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 8
Points pace: 111
Next game: @ VGK (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Edmonton Oilers
Points: 94
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 10
Points pace: 107
Next game: @ STL (Monday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Vegas Golden Knights
Points: 90
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 8
Points pace: 100
Next game: vs. VAN (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.2%
Tragic number: N/A
Los Angeles Kings
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 9
Points pace: 98
Next game: @ WPG (Monday)
Playoff chances: 98.1%
Tragic number: N/A
Calgary Flames
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 82
Next game: vs. ANA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 4
Seattle Kraken
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 82
Next game: @ SJ (Monday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 4
e - Anaheim Ducks
Points: 52
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 57
Next game: @ CGY (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
e - San Jose Sharks
Points: 42
Regulation wins: 13
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 47
Next game: vs. SEA (Monday)
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: 42
Regulation wins: 13
2. Chicago Blackhawks
Points: 49
Regulation wins: 16
3. Anaheim Ducks
Points: 52
Regulation wins: 18
4. Columbus Blue Jackets
Points: 60
Regulation wins: 18
5. Arizona Coyotes
Points: 67
Regulation wins: 25
6. Montreal Canadiens
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 18
7. Ottawa Senators
Points: 70
Regulation wins: 24
8. Seattle Kraken
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 24
9. Calgary Flames
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 29
10. Pittsburgh Penguins*
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 27
11. Buffalo Sabres
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 29
12. New Jersey Devils
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 31
13. New York Islanders
Points: 77
Regulation wins: 23
14. Minnesota Wild
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 28
15. Detroit Red Wings
Points: 80
Regulation wins: 25
16. St. Louis Blues
Points: 82
Regulation wins: 29
* The Penguins' first-round pick was traded to the Sharks as part of the Erik Karlsson trade. However, it is top-10 protected.