NHL playoff watch: Resetting the races following a busy trade deadline week

Tim Kavanagh, ESPN.comMar 9, 2024, 11:08 AM ET
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The 2024 NHL trade deadline passed on Friday afternoon. For those who might’ve missed anything, our reporters identified the winners and losers and also graded 23 of the biggest moves this trade season. But now that there will be no more deals, it’s time for the rush to the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs to begin in earnest.

Taking a look at the current standings, Saturday’s schedule presents some captivating clashes as the contenders are sorted from the teams that will ultimately be in the draft lottery mix.

One team that might believe it’s unjustifiably in an unfortunate position is the New Jersey Devils, a juggernaut from last season that is six points back of the Eastern Conference wild card with two teams to jump, as well. The Devils will square off against the Carolina Hurricanes (12:30 p.m. ET, ABC and ESPN+) as every single point matters from here on out. The Devils fired coach Lindy Ruff earlier this week, then traded winger Tyler Toffoli and defenseman Colin Miller to the Winnipeg Jets before completely remaking their goaltending depth by acquiring Jake Allen and Kaapo Kahkonen on Friday. Is it too late for them to mount a run?

Out West, the Calgary Flames — also six points back of a wild-card spot — were busy sending players elsewhere during trade season. Elias Lindholm (dealt ahead of the All-Star Game), Chris Tanev and Noah Hanifin are out — but the team did retain goaltender Jacob Markstrom, and the Flames have gone 6-4-0 in their past 10 games to maintain their spot in the race. They’ll visit the Florida Panthers (4 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+), who added some tantalizing players ahead of the deadline to a team that looks as strong as any.

The Philadelphia Flyers are trying to thread the needle of staying in the playoff picture (they are currently third in the Metropolitan Division) while also building for the future. Their moves this week reflected that situation, and tonight they’ll take on the Tampa Bay Lightning (7 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+), who are trying to extend their own playoff streak and added Anthony Duclair and Matt Dumba as depth.

And in one of the nightcaps, the Jets will face off against the Vancouver Canucks (10 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+) in a possible Western Conference finals preview. The Canucks made their biggest moves early, while the Jets waited to strike on Toffoli and Miller after adding Sean Monahan in early February.

As we enter 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
Today’s schedule
Last night’s scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick

Current playoff matchups

Eastern Conference

A1 Florida Panthers vs. WC2 Tampa Bay Lightning
A2 Boston Bruins vs. A3 Toronto Maple Leafs
M1 New York Rangers vs. WC1 Detroit Red Wings
M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 Philadelphia Flyers

Western Conference

C1 Dallas Stars vs. WC2 Vegas Golden Knights
C2 Winnipeg Jets vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche
P1 Vancouver Canucks vs. WC1 Nashville Predators
P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings

Saturday’s games

Note: All times Eastern. 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).

Edmonton Oilers at Buffalo Sabres, 12:30 p.m.
Carolina Hurricanes at New Jersey Devils, 12:30 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)
Nashville Predators at Columbus Blue Jackets, 12:30 p.m.
Pittsburgh Penguins at Boston Bruins, 3 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)
Calgary Flames at Florida Panthers, 4 p.m.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m. (NHLN)
Philadelphia Flyers at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7 p.m.
Chicago Blackhawks at Washington Capitals, 7 p.m.
Ottawa Senators at San Jose Sharks, 7 p.m.
St. Louis Blues at New York Rangers, 7:30 p.m.
Winnipeg Jets at Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m.
Detroit Red Wings at Vegas Golden Knights, 10 p.m.
Dallas Stars at Los Angeles Kings, 10:30 p.m.

Friday’s scoreboard

Colorado Avalanche 2, Minnesota Wild 1 (OT)
Arizona Coyotes 4, Detroit Red Wings 0
Dallas Stars 6, Anaheim Ducks 2
Winnipeg Jets 3, Seattle Kraken 0

Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

Points: 90
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 18
Points pace: 115
Next game: vs. CGY (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 89
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 17
Points pace: 112
Next game: vs. PIT (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 19
Points pace: 104
Next game: @ MTL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.3%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 19
Points pace: 94
Next game: @ VGK (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 36.3%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 18
Points pace: 92
Next game: vs. PHI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 77.8%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 63
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 81
Next game: vs. EDM (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 1.5%
Tragic number: 27

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 76
Next game: vs. TOR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 24

Points: 54
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 21
Points pace: 73
Next game: @ SJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 24

Metropolitan Division

Points: 84
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 20
Points pace: 111
Next game: vs. STL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 20
Points pace: 106
Next game: @ NJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 18
Points pace: 95
Next game: @ TB (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 74.2%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 20
Points pace: 93
Next game: @ ANA (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 61.8%
Tragic number: 38

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 21
Points pace: 90
Next game: vs. CHI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 32.8%
Tragic number: 37

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 86
Next game: vs. CAR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 13.3%
Tragic number: 32

Points: 64
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 21
Points pace: 86
Next game: @ BOS (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 3.1%
Tragic number: 34

Points: 54
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 70
Next game: vs. NSH (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 20

Central Division

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 17
Points pace: 110
Next game: @ LA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 85
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 20
Points pace: 112
Next game: @ VAN (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 85
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 17
Points pace: 107
Next game: @ CGY (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 18
Points pace: 96
Next game: @ CBJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 77.5%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 87
Next game: @ NYR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 2.1%
Tragic number: 32

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 86
Next game: vs. NSH (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 12.2%
Tragic number: 30

Points: 57
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 73
Next game: @ CHI (Sunday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 20

Points: 37
Regulation wins: 11
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 48
Next game: @ WSH (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 2

Pacific Division

Points: 89
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 17
Points pace: 112
Next game: vs. WPG (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 21
Points pace: 105
Next game: @ BUF (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 20
Points pace: 99
Next game: vs. DAL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 93.3%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 19
Points pace: 95
Next game: vs. DET (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 76.6%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 20
Points pace: 89
Next game: @ FLA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 24.1%
Tragic number: 34

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 87
Next game: vs. VGK (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 14.3%
Tragic number: 32

Points: 49
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 64
Next game: vs. NYI (Sunday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 14

Points: 37
Regulation wins: 11
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 20
Points pace: 49
Next game: vs. OTT (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 4

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.

Points: 37
Regulation wins: 11

Points: 49
Regulation wins: 17

Points: 54
Regulation wins: 19

Points: 54
Regulation wins: 17

Points: 57
Regulation wins: 21

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 14

Points: 63
Regulation wins: 24

Points: 64
Regulation wins: 23

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 26

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 23

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 26

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 24