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NHL playoff watch standings update: Potential postseason preview as New York Rangers host Pittsbu...

ByTim Kavanagh ESPN logo

Friday, March 25, 2022

While the rush to the playoffs in the Western Conference remains somewhat wide open -- particularly for the wild cards -- the Eastern Conference eight appear to be relatively set, with final seeds yet to be resolved.

However, one potential first-round matchup that would be quite tasty is the Pittsburgh Penguins against the New York Rangers, and those two will square off at "the world's most famous arena" on Friday night. By a quirk of the schedule, these two Metropolitan Division clubs waited until Feb. 26 for their first battle this season, and including Friday will play thrice in a 14-day span.

In the teams' lone matchup thus far, Tristan Jarry saved 27 out of 27 shots the Rangers could muster, so Evgeni Malkin's third-period goal was enough to earn the win in what was at times a nasty affair. Given how often they'll be seeing each other these next two weeks, those emotions will surely rise again -- just the kind of hockey we like to see down the final stretch.

As we enter the post-deadline span of the 2021-22 regular season, it's time to check in on all the playoff races -- along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2022 NHL draft lottery.

Note: Playoff chances are via FiveThirtyEight. Tragic numbers are courtesy of Damian Echevarrieta of the NHL.

Jump ahead:br/>Current playoff matchupsbr/>Today's gamesbr/>Last night's scoresbr/>Expanded standingsbr/>Race for No. 1 pick

Current playoff matchups

Eastern Conference

A1 Florida Panthers vs. WC2 Washington Capitals

>A2 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. A3 Boston Bruins

>M1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. WC1 Tampa Bay Lightning

>M2 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. M3 New York Rangers

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 Los Angeles Kings vs. P3 Edmonton Oilers

Today's games

Note: All times Eastern. All out-of-market games available on ESPN+

Washington Capitals at Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m.

>Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Rangers, 7 p.m.

>Columbus Blue Jackets at Winnipeg Jets, 8 p.m.

>Philadelphia Flyers at Colorado Avalanche, 9 p.m.

>Arizona Coyotes at Calgary Flames, 9 p.m.

Last night's scoreboard

Watch "In The Crease" for highlights from every game.

Boston Bruins 3, Tampa Bay Lightning 2

>Florida Panthers 4, Montreal Canadiens 3

>Dallas Stars 4, Carolina Hurricanes 3 (SO)

>New York Islanders 5, Detroit Red Wings 2

>Philadelphia Flyers 5, St. Louis Blues 2

>Minnesota Wild 3, Vancouver Canucks 2 (OT)

>Ottawa Senators 5, Winnipeg Jets 2

>Edmonton Oilers 5, San Jose Sharks 2

>Vegas Golden Knights 6, Nashville Predators 1

>Chicago Blackhawks 4, Los Angeles Kings 3 (SO)

Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

Florida Panthers

Points: 92

>Regulation wins: 33

>Playoff position: A1

>Games left: 19

>Next game: @ OTT (Saturday)

>Playoff chances: >99%

>Tragic number: N/A

Toronto Maple Leafs

Points: 85

>Regulation wins: 34

>Playoff position: A2

>Games left: 19

>Next game: @ MTL (Saturday)

>Playoff chances: >99%

>Tragic number: N/A

Boston Bruins

Points: 85

>Regulation wins: 32

>Playoff position: A3

>Games left: 18

>Next game: vs. NYI (Saturday)

>Playoff chances: >99%

>Tragic number: N/A

Tampa Bay Lightning

Points: 84

>Regulation wins: 30

>Playoff position: WC1

>Games left: 19

>Next game: @ DET (Saturday)

>Playoff chances: >99%

>Tragic number: N/A

Detroit Red Wings

Points: 59

>Regulation wins: 15

>Playoff position: N/A

>Games left: 18

>Next game: vs. TB (Saturday)

>Playoff chances: <1%

>Tragic number: 15

Buffalo Sabres

Points: 54

>Regulation wins: 17

>Playoff position: N/A

>Games left: 18

>Next game: vs. WSH (Friday)

>Playoff chances: <1%

>Tragic number: 10

Ottawa Senators

Points: 51

>Regulation wins: 19

>Playoff position: N/A

>Games left: 18

>Next game: vs. FLA (Saturday)

>Playoff chances: <1%

>Tragic number: 7

Montreal Canadiens

Points: 44

>Regulation wins: 12

>Playoff position: N/A

>Games left: 18

>Next game: vs. TOR (Saturday)

>Playoff chances: N/A%

>Tragic number:0

Metropolitan Division

Carolina Hurricanes

Points: 91

>Regulation wins: 36

>Playoff position: M1

>Games left: 18

>Next game: @ STL (Saturday)

>Playoff chances: >99%

>Tragic number: N/A

Pittsburgh Penguins

Points: 88

>Regulation wins: 32

>Playoff position: M2

>Games left: 17

>Next game: @ NYR (Friday)

>Playoff chances: >99%

strong>Tragic number: N/A

New York Rangers

Points: 85

>Regulation wins: 34

>Playoff position: M3

>Games left: 18

>Next game: vs. PIT (Friday)

>Playoff chances: >99%

>Tragic number: N/A

Washington Capitals

Points: 80

>Regulation wins: 27

>Playoff position: WC2

>Games left: 17

>Next game: @ BUF (Friday)

>Playoff chances: 97%

>Tragic number: N/A

Columbus Blue Jackets

Points: 67

>Regulation wins: 22

>Playoff position: N/A

>Games left: 18

>Next game: @ WPG (Friday)

>Playoff chances: <1%

>Tragic number: 23

New York Islanders

Points: 65

>Regulation wins: 26

>Playoff position: N/A

>Games left: 20

>Next game: @ BOS (Saturday)

>Playoff chances: 2%

>Tragic number: 25

Philadelphia Flyers

Points: 53

>Regulation wins: 17

>Playoff position: N/A

>Games left: 18

>Next game: @ COL (Friday)

>Playoff chances: <1%

>Tragic number: 9

New Jersey Devils

Points: 51

>Regulation wins: 16

>Playoff position: N/A

>Games left: 18

>Next game: @ WSH (Saturday)

>Playoff chances: <1%

>Tragic number: 7

Central Division

Colorado Avalanche

Points: 95

>Regulation wins: 37

>Playoff position: C1

>Games left: 18

>Next game: vs. PHI (Friday)

>Playoff chances: >99%

>Tragic number: N/A

Minnesota Wild

Points: 80

>Regulation wins: 28

>Playoff position: C2

>Games left: 20

>Next game: vs. CBJ (Saturday)

>Playoff chances: >99%

>Tragic number: N/A

St. Louis Blues

Points: 79

>Regulation wins: 32

>Playoff position: C3

>Games left: 19

>Next game: vs. CAR (Saturday)

>Playoff chances: 97%

>Tragic number: N/A

Nashville Predators

Points: 78

>Regulation wins: 30

>Playoff position: WC1

>Games left: 17

>Next game: vs. PHI (Sunday)

>Playoff chances: 91%

>Tragic number: N/A

Dallas Stars

Points: 75

>Regulation wins: 23

>Playoff position: WC2

>Games left: 19

>Next game: vs. VAN (Saturday)

>Playoff chances: 86%

>Tragic number: N/A

Winnipeg Jets

Points: 70

>Regulation wins: 26

>Playoff position: N/A

>Games left: 17

>Next game: vs. CBJ (Friday)

>Playoff chances: 7%

>Tragic number: 29

Chicago Blackhawks

Points: 57

>Regulation wins: 15

>Playoff position: N/A

>Games left: 17

>Next game: @ VGK (Saturday)

>Playoff chances: <1%

>Tragic number: 16

Arizona Coyotes

Points: 44

>Regulation wins: 15

>Playoff position: N/A

>Games left: 19

>Next game: @ CGY (Friday)

>Playoff chances: <1%

>Tragic number: 7

Pacific Division

Calgary Flames

Points: 84

strong>Regulation wins: 33

>Playoff position: P1

>Games left: 19

>Next game: vs. ARI (Friday)

>Playoff chances: >99%

>Tragic number: N/A

Los Angeles Kings

Points: 79

>Regulation wins: 27

>Playoff position: P2

>Games left: 16

>Next game: vs. SEA (Saturday)

>Playoff chances: 84%

>Tragic number: N/A

Edmonton Oilers

Points: 77

>Regulation wins: 30

>Playoff position: P3

>Games left: 17

>Next game: @ CGY (Saturday)

>Playoff chances: 82%

>Tragic number: N/A

Vegas Golden Knights

Points: 74

>Regulation wins: 29

>Playoff position: N/A

>Games left: 15

>Next game: vs. CHI (Saturday)

>Playoff chances: 42%

>Tragic number: 29

Vancouver Canucks

Points: 71

>Regulation wins: 25

>Playoff position: N/A

>Games left: 16

>Next game: @ DAL (Saturday)

>Playoff chances: 13%

>Tragic number: 28

Anaheim Ducks

Points: 65

>Regulation wins: 18

>Playoff position: N/A

>Games left: 16

>Next game: @ SJ (Saturday)

>Playoff chances: <1%

>Tragic number: 22

San Jose Sharks

Points: 64

>Regulation wins: 19

>Playoff position: N/A

>Games left: 18

>Next game: vs. ANA (Saturday)

>Playoff chances: <1%

>Tragic number: 25

Seattle Kraken

Points: 46

>Regulation wins: 17

>Playoff position: N/A

>Games left: 18

>Next game: @ LA (Saturday)

>Playoff chances: <1%

>Tragic number: 7

Race for the No. 1 pick

The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order at the top of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. As of 2021, a team may 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.