NHL playoff standings: Toughest challengers for Capitals, Jets

The Washington Capitals have actually formally punched their ticket to the postseason dancing currently, and the Winnipeg Jets are well on their means to doing so too (a sway the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday would certainly have done it, however that was not in the cards obviously).

Those 2 groups satisfy on Tuesday evening ( 8 p.m. ET, ESPN+), and might reunite if they make theStanley Cup Final As of currently, each is positioned to deal with the 2nd wild-card group in their corresponding seminar– might they choose among the bubble groups over the others?

In Winnipeg’s instance, the group presently in the 2nd wild-card area is theSt Louis Blues. The Jets have actually gone 2-1 versus the Blues this period, with among the victories coming using shootout, and they’ll take on once again onApr 7. If the Calgary Flames slide right into that area for a traditional Smythe Division face-off, the Jets likewise went 2-1 versus them this period (though the last video game was back onJan 26).

The Utah Hockey Club might make a press right into that area, and– you thought it– the Jets have actually gone 2-1 versus the NHL’s most recent group. The last group with a legitimate chance at the West’s last area is the Vancouver Canucks, versus whom the Jets have actually gone 1-1, with their last match this Saturday.

The Caps’ first-round challenger currently is the Montreal Canadiens; Washington won 2 of 3 versus Montreal, with the loss can be found in OT. If the New York Rangers slide in as the challenger, the Caps will certainly intend to retaliate their move in in 2014’s playoffs, and show up most likely to do so based upon regular-season outcomes; they won each of the 3 matches versus theBlueshirts Washington won its only match versus the New York Islanders this period, with 2 video games staying.

The Capitals have actually likewise had success versus the Columbus Blue Jackets (2 victories in 2 video games so far, with 2 staying in April) and Detroit Red Wings (2 victories this month after a loss onDec 29).

So although the course will certainly obtain harder as the playoff competition endures, it shows up that both the Caps and Jets remain in good condition– theoretically, a minimum of– heading right into the opening round.

There is much less than a month left up until April 17, the last day of the routine period, and we’ll aid you track everything with the NHL playoff watch. As we go across the last stretch, we’ll supply information on all the playoff races, in addition to the groups jockeying for placement in the 2025 NHL draft lottery game.

Note: Playoff opportunities are using Stathletes.

Jump in advance:
Current playoff matches
Today’s timetable
Yesterday’s ratings
Expanded standings
Race forNo 1 choice

Current playoff matches

Eastern Conference

A1 Florida Panthers vs. WC1 Ottawa Senators
A2 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. A3 Tampa Bay Lightning
M1 Washington Capitals vs. WC2 Montreal Canadiens
M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 New Jersey Devils

Western Conference

C1 Winnipeg Jets vs. WC2St Louis Blues
C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche
P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC1 Minnesota Wild
P2 Los Angeles Kings vs. P3 Edmonton Oilers

Tuesday’s video games

Note: All times ET. All video games out TNT or NHL Network are readily available to stream on ESPN+ (neighborhood power outage constraints use).

Ottawa Senators at Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m.
Philadelphia Flyers at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m.
Pittsburgh Penguins at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7 p.m.
Nashville Predators at Carolina Hurricanes, 7 p.m.
Montreal Canadiens atSt Louis Blues, 8 p.m.
Vegas Golden Knights at Minnesota Wild, 8 p.m.
Washington Capitals at Winnipeg Jets, 8 p.m.
Detroit Red Wings at Colorado Avalanche, 9 p.m.
Seattle Kraken at Calgary Flames, 9 p.m.
New York Rangers at Los Angeles Kings, 10:30 p.m.

Monday’s scoreboard

Vancouver Canucks 4, New Jersey Devils 3 (SO)
Columbus Blue Jackets 4, New York Islanders 3 (SO)
Dallas Stars 3, Minnesota Wild 0
Detroit Red Wings 5, Utah Hockey Club 1

Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

Points: 89
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff placement: A1
Games left: 11
Points speed: 102.8
Next video game: vs. UTA (Friday)
Playoff opportunities: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff placement: A2
Games left: 12
Points speed: 101.9
Next video game: vs. PHI (Tuesday)
Playoff opportunities: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 85
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff placement: A3
Games left: 12
Points speed: 99.6
Next video game: vs. PIT (Tuesday)
Playoff opportunities: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff placement: WC1
Games left: 13
Points speed: 93.9
Next video game: @ BUF (Tuesday)
Playoff opportunities: 98.2%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff placement: WC2
Games left: 13
Points speed: 89.1
Next video game: @ STL (Tuesday)
Playoff opportunities: 48.8%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff placement: N/A
Games left: 12
Points speed: 84.3
Next video game: @ COL (Tuesday)
Playoff opportunities: 3.0%
Tragic number: 22

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff placement: N/A
Games left: 10
Points speed: 78.6
Next video game: @ ANA (Wednesday)
Playoff opportunities: 0.1%
Tragic number: 15

Points: 62
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff placement: N/A
Games left: 13
Points speed: 73.7
Next video game: vs. OTT (Tuesday)
Playoff opportunities: ~ 0%
Tragic number: 14

Metro Division

Points: 102
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff placement: M1
Games left: 12
Points speed: 119.5
Next video game: @ WPG (Tuesday)
Playoff opportunities: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 90
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff placement: M2
Games left: 12
Points speed: 105.4
Next video game: vs. NSH (Tuesday)
Playoff opportunities: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff placement: M3
Games left: 10
Points speed: 92.3
Next video game: @ CHI (Wednesday)
Playoff opportunities: 94.6%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff placement: N/A
Games left: 12
Points speed: 86.7
Next video game: vs. VAN (Wednesday)
Playoff opportunities: 28.0%
Tragic number: 24

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff placement: N/A
Games left: 11
Points speed: 85.5
Next video game: @ LA (Tuesday)
Playoff opportunities: 17.9%
Tragic number: 22

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff placement: N/A
Games left: 12
Points speed: 85.5
Next video game: vs. VAN (Friday)
Playoff opportunities: 9.4%
Tragic number: 23

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff placement: N/A
Games left: 10
Points speed: 78.6
Next video game: @ TB (Tuesday)
Playoff opportunities: 0.1%
Tragic number: 15

Points: 65
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff placement: N/A
Games left: 10
Points speed: 74.0
Next video game: vs. OTT (Tuesday)
Playoff opportunities: ~ 0%
Tragic number: 11

Central Division

Points: 100
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff placement: C1
Games left: 11
Points speed: 115.5
Next video game: vs. WSH (Tuesday)
Playoff opportunities: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 94
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff placement: C2
Games left: 12
Points speed: 110.1
Next video game: @ EDM (Wednesday)
Playoff opportunities: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 89
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff placement: C3
Games left: 11
Points speed: 102.8
Next video game: vs. DET (Tuesday)
Playoff opportunities: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 85
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff placement: WC1
Games left: 11
Points speed: 98.2
Next video game: vs. VGK (Tuesday)
Playoff opportunities: 96.8%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff placement: WC2
Games left: 10
Points speed: 92.3
Next video game: vs. MTL (Tuesday)
Playoff opportunities: 71.1%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff placement: N/A
Games left: 11
Points speed: 86.6
Next video game: @ TB (Thursday)
Playoff opportunities: 13.3%
Tragic number: 17

Points: 60
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff placement: N/A
Games left: 12
Points speed: 70.3
Next video game: @ CARS AND TRUCK (Tuesday)
Playoff opportunities: ~ 0%
Tragic number: 4

Points: 51
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff placement: N/A
Games left: 11
Points speed: 58.9
Next video game: vs. NJ (Wednesday)
Playoff opportunities: 0%
Tragic number: E

Pacific Division

Points: 92
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff placement: P1
Games left: 12
Points speed: 107.8
Next video game: @ MINUTES (Tuesday)
Playoff opportunities: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff placement: P3
Games left: 13
Points speed: 103.4
Next video game: vs. NYR (Tuesday)
Playoff opportunities: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff placement: P2
Games left: 12
Points speed: 101.9
Next video game: vs. DAL (Wednesday)
Playoff opportunities: 99.5%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff placement: N/A
Games left: 11
Points speed: 90.1
Next video game: @ NYI (Wednesday)
Playoff opportunities: 8.9%
Tragic number: 20

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff placement: N/A
Games left: 13
Points speed: 91.5
Next video game: vs. SEA (Tuesday)
Playoff opportunities: 10.6%
Tragic number: 23

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff placement: N/A
Games left: 12
Points speed: 79.7
Next video game: vs. BOS (Wednesday)
Playoff opportunities: 0.1%
Tragic number: 12

Points: 65
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff placement: N/A
Games left: 11
Points speed: 75.1
Next video game: @ CGY (Tuesday)
Playoff opportunities: ~ 0%
Tragic number: 7

Points: 47
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff placement: N/A
Games left: 12
Points speed: 55.1
Next video game: vs. TOR (Thursday)
Playoff opportunities: 0%
Tragic number: E

Note: An “x” suggests that the group has actually secured a playoff berth. An “e” suggests that the group has actually been removed from playoff opinion.

Race for theNo 1 choice

The NHL utilizes a draft lottery game to establish the order of the preliminary, so the group that completes in last location is not ensured theNo 1 choice. As of 2021, a group can go up an optimum of 10 places if it wins the lottery game, so just 11 groups are qualified for theNo 1 choice.Full details on the process are here Matthew Schaefer, a defenseman for the OHL’s Erie Otters, isNo 1 on the draft board.

Points: 47
Regulation wins: 14

Points: 51
Regulation wins: 18

Points: 60
Regulation wins: 22

Points: 62
Regulation wins: 22

Points: 65
Regulation wins: 17

Points: 65
Regulation wins: 24

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 22

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 20

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 25

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 23

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 31

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 25

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 24

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 26

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 25