24/7 LivePhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaNew JerseyDelaware

Welcome, Mickey

mickey@disney.com

Manage MyDisney Account

Log Out

SPORTS

NHL playoff standings: Post-trade deadline update on races

ByTim Kavanagh ESPN logo

Saturday, March 9, 2024

The 2024 NHL trade deadlinepassed on Friday afternoon. For those who might've missed anything, our reporters identified the winners and losersand 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 Jetsbefore 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 Dumbaas 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

Florida Panthers

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

Boston Bruins

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

Toronto Maple Leafs

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

Detroit Red Wings

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

Tampa Bay Lightning

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

Buffalo Sabres

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

Montreal Canadiens

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

Ottawa Senators

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

New York Rangers

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

Carolina Hurricanes

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

Philadelphia Flyers

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

New York Islanders

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

Washington Capitals

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

New Jersey Devils

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

Pittsburgh Penguins

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

Columbus Blue Jackets

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

Dallas Stars

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

Winnipeg Jets

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

Colorado Avalanche

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

Nashville Predators

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

St. Louis Blues

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

Minnesota Wild

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

Arizona Coyotes

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

Chicago Blackhawks

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

Vancouver Canucks

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

Edmonton Oilers

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

Los Angeles Kings

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

Vegas Golden Knights

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

Calgary Flames

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

Seattle Kraken

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

Anaheim Ducks

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

San Jose Sharks

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.