NHL playoff watch: What's at stake in all 13 games on Saturday

1 month ago 11

ESPN staffApr 5, 2025, 07:00 AM ET

As is tradition, Saturday is perfectly loaded with NHL games. Hope you got a bully night's sleep!

With 13 games connected the schedule, it's champion to spell game-by-game to preview what's astatine involvement for each squad -- immoderate successful the playoff races, immoderate who are jockeying for draught lottery position.

New York Rangers astatine New Jersey Devils
12:30 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)

The Hudson River rivalry is ever a must-watch for hockey fans, and the strength ramps up erstwhile some teams are successful the postseason mix. The Devils person the precocious manus present -- they're 8 points up of the Rangers astatine opening puck driblet -- and these 2 points are important for the visiting Blueshirts, who are trying to drawback the Canadiens for the 2nd chaotic card.

Florida Panthers astatine Ottawa Senators
2 p.m. (ESPN+)

In 1 imaginable aboriginal world, this volition beryllium a first-round matchup if the Panthers marque it to the archetypal presumption successful the Atlantic. In another, it's a bid successful the 2nd circular if the bid stays arsenic is and these clubs win. For now, it's the last regular-season gathering betwixt the part rivals. Unfortunately, fans won't get to bask immoderate Tkachuk-on-Tkachuk battling, arsenic Matthew remains retired with a lower-body injury.

Pittsburgh Penguins astatine Dallas Stars
3 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)

The Penguins stay mathematically live for a playoff spot, though those hopes are fading quickly. They'll request to drawstring unneurotic galore wins -- and anticipation that each the teams supra them commencement losing a batch more. The Stars person already punched their summons to the playoffs, but tin amended their seeding: As play begins Saturday, Dallas is 4 points down Winnipeg for the No. 1 effect successful the Central.

Anaheim Ducks astatine Vancouver Canucks
4 p.m. (ESPN+)

The Ducks are freshly eliminated from postseason contention and beryllium successful the apical 10 of the draught lottery bid arsenic play begins. The Canucks aren't wholly retired of the playoff race, but their chances person decreased rapidly successful caller weeks.

Edmonton Oilers astatine Los Angeles Kings
4 p.m. (ESPN+)

In the past 3 postseasons, these 2 clubs person met successful the archetypal circular -- with the Oilers winning each series. Will they conscionable again successful 2 weeks? And tin the Kings finally triumph a circular against their Albertan rivals? This crippled could see immoderate connection sending.

Carolina Hurricanes astatine Boston Bruins
7 p.m. (ESPN+)

Carolina clinched different spot successful the postseason this week, and successful each likelihood volition beryllium the No. 2 effect successful the Metropolitan Division (barring an epic illness by the Capitals to boost them to first, oregon by themselves to driblet to third). Meanwhile, the Bruins are apt going to miss the postseason, which would beryllium the archetypal clip since 2015-16. On the agleam side, they're presently 4th successful the draught lottery order, a constituent up of the Kraken and Sabres and 2 up connected the Flyers.

Tampa Bay Lightning astatine Buffalo Sabres
7 p.m. (ESPN+)

The Lightning person been 1 of the NHL's apical teams since the March 7 commercialized deadline, charging into 2nd spot successful the Atlantic. They participate Saturday nighttime 3 points backmost of the Maple Leafs for archetypal and 1 constituent up of the Panthers. As for Buffalo, it's (likely) different outpouring without the playoffs successful occidental New York, and they presently beryllium sixth successful the draught lottery order, 1 constituent up of the Flyers and 2 up of the Penguins.

Columbus Blue Jackets astatine Toronto Maple Leafs
7 p.m. (ESPN+)

One of a fistful of teams that inactive has a morganatic changeable astatine the 2nd Eastern chaotic card, the Blue Jackets bash request each the points they tin get successful the remaining schedule. Their 77 points are 4 down the Canadiens arsenic Saturday's slate begins. As for the Leafs, they clasp a three-point pb implicit Tampa Bay; if they clasp connected to the apical spot, it'll apt output a first-round matchup against the Senators successful a renewal of the Battle of Ontario.

Philadelphia Flyers astatine Montreal Canadiens
7 p.m. (ESPN+)

Based connected however these 2 teams finished past season, it would not person been astonishing to larn that 1 of them held a wild-card spot astatine this juncture successful 2024-25. But alternatively of the Flyers -- who stayed successful the contention until the extremity successful 2023-24 -- it's the Canadiens, who finished with the fifth-fewest points past season. Jumping backmost to existent events, Montreal holds the wild-card spot by 2 points implicit the Rangers and 4 implicit the Blue Jackets. Philadelphia is successful the No. 7 spot successful the draught lottery order, successful the mediate of a radical of six teams wrong 5 points.

Colorado Avalanche astatine St. Louis Blues
7 p.m. (ESPN+)

These 2 won't conscionable successful the archetypal circular of the postseason, but could conscionable sometime down the road, fixed however blistery some clubs person been arsenic of late. St. Louis has jumped up of Minnesota for the archetypal wild-card spot successful the West, portion Colorado appears beauteous good ensconced arsenic the No. 3 effect successful the Central.

Winnipeg Jets astatine Utah Hockey Club
7 p.m. (NHLN)

The information that the Hockey Club is playing meaningful games this precocious into the play -- fixed wherever the erstwhile mentation of the franchise was (geographically and emotionally) astatine this clip past play -- is simply a win. And if they get connected a heater and the Wild oregon Blues spell into the dumpster, a playoff berth could beryllium possible. As for the Jets, they are cervix and cervix with the Capitals to triumph the Presidents' Trophy arsenic the NHL's apical squad this regular play -- and don't number retired the Stars overtaking them.

Vegas Golden Knights astatine Calgary Flames
10 p.m. (ESPN+)

A ample pb atop the Pacific Division has diminished to 3 points for the Golden Knights, arsenic those pesky Kings conscionable support winning games. However, if it comes down to the regularisation wins tiebreaker, Vegas is up by four, with conscionable 7 games remaining for both. With 84 points, Calgary begins play Saturday 5 points backmost of Minnesota for the last wild-card spot (and apt a first-round matchup with the Jets).

Seattle Kraken astatine San Jose Sharks
10 p.m. (ESPN+)

Many of Saturday's games person large playoff implications. This 1 is simply a captious 1 for the draught lottery standings. San Jose is first, with 50 points and 14 regularisation wins, but they are conscionable 2 up of the idle Chicago Blackhawks, who person 52 and 18. The Kraken statesman play successful the No. 5 spot (70 points, 26 RW), close successful that wide of six teams wrong 5 points. A triumph present by either squad tin interaction the table.

With the regular play ending April 17, we'll assistance you way it each with the NHL playoff watch. As we traverse the last stretch, we'll supply details connected each the playoff races, on with the teams jockeying for presumption successful the 2025 NHL draught lottery.

Note: Playoff chances are via Stathletes.

Jump ahead:
Current playoff matchups
Today's schedule
Yesterday's scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick

Current playoff matchups

Eastern Conference

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

Western Conference

C1 Winnipeg Jets vs. WC2 St. 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

Saturday's games

Note: All times ET. All games not connected TNT oregon NHL Network are available to watercourse connected ESPN+ (local blackout restrictions apply).

New York Rangers astatine New Jersey Devils, 12:30 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)
Florida Panthers astatine Ottawa Senators, 2 p.m.
Pittsburgh Penguins astatine Dallas Stars, 3 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)
Anaheim Ducks astatine Vancouver Canucks, 4 p.m.
Edmonton Oilers astatine Los Angeles Kings, 4 p.m.
Carolina Hurricanes astatine Boston Bruins, 7 p.m.
Tampa Bay Lightning astatine Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m.
Columbus Blue Jackets astatine Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m.
Philadelphia Flyers astatine Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m.
Colorado Avalanche astatine St. Louis Blues, 7 p.m.
Winnipeg Jets astatine Utah Hockey Club, 7 p.m. (NHLN)
Vegas Golden Knights astatine Calgary Flames, 10 p.m.
Seattle Kraken astatine San Jose Sharks, 10 p.m.

Friday's scoreboard

Detroit Red Wings 5, Carolina Hurricanes 3
Washington Capitals 5, Chicago Blackhawks 3
New York Islanders 3, Minnesota Wild 1

Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

x - Toronto Maple Leafs

Points: 96
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 7
Points pace: 105.0
Next game: vs. CBJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Tampa Bay Lightning

Points: 93
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 7
Points pace: 101.7
Next game: @ BUF (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Florida Panthers

Points: 92
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 7
Points pace: 100.6
Next game: @ OTT (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Ottawa Senators

Points: 86
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 7
Points pace: 94.0
Next game: vs. FLA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.6%
Tragic number: N/A

Montreal Canadiens

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 7
Points pace: 88.6
Next game: vs. PHI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 61.1%
Tragic number: N/A

Detroit Red Wings

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 84.2
Next game: vs. FLA (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 2.4%
Tragic number: 11

Buffalo Sabres

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Points pace: 77.6
Next game: vs. TB (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 6

Boston Bruins

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 74.5
Next game: vs. CAR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 1

Metro Division

x - Washington Capitals

Points: 107
Regulation wins: 42
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 6
Points pace: 115.5
Next game: @ NYI (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x - Carolina Hurricanes

Points: 96
Regulation wins: 41
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 7
Points pace: 105.0
Next game: @ BOS (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

New Jersey Devils

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 6
Points pace: 93.9
Next game: vs. NYR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.7%
Tragic number: N/A

New York Rangers

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 86.4
Next game: @ NJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 24.1%
Tragic number: 13

Columbus Blue Jackets

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Points pace: 85.3
Next game: @ TOR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 10.5%
Tragic number: 13

New York Islanders

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 83.1
Next game: vs. WSH (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 2.7%
Tragic number: 10

Pittsburgh Penguins

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 77.7
Next game: @ DAL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 4

Philadelphia Flyers

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 76.6
Next game: @ MTL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 3

Central Division

x - Winnipeg Jets

Points: 108
Regulation wins: 41
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 6
Points pace: 116.5
Next game: @ UTA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x - Colorado Avalanche

Points: 98
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 5
Points pace: 104.4
Next game: @ STL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

St. Louis Blues

Points: 91
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 5
Points pace: 96.9
Next game: vs. COL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 97.5%
Tragic number: N/A

Minnesota Wild

Points: 89
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 5
Points pace: 94.8
Next game: vs. DAL (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 92.1%
Tragic number: N/A

Utah Hockey Club

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 86.3
Next game: vs. WPG (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 4

e - Nashville Predators

Points: 62
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 66.9
Next game: vs. MTL (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e - Chicago Blackhawks

Points: 52
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 56.1
Next game: vs. PIT (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Pacific Division

x - Vegas Golden Knights

Points: 98
Regulation wins: 42
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 7
Points pace: 107.2
Next game: @ CGY (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Los Angeles Kings

Points: 95
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 7
Points pace: 103.9
Next game: vs. EDM (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Edmonton Oilers

Points: 93
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 7
Points pace: 101.7
Next game: @ LA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Calgary Flames

Points: 84
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 91.8
Next game: vs. VGK (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 9.7%
Tragic number: 10

Vancouver Canucks

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 88.6
Next game: vs. ANA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0.7%
Tragic number: 7

e - Anaheim Ducks

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 80.9
Next game: @ ANA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e - Seattle Kraken

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 75.5
Next game: @ SJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e - San Jose Sharks

Points: 50
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 54.7
Next game: vs. SEA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Note: An "x" means that the squad has clinched a playoff berth. An "e" means that the squad has been eliminated from playoff contention.

Race for the No. 1 pick

The NHL uses a draught lottery to find the bid of the archetypal round, truthful the squad that finishes successful past spot is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. As of 2021, a squad tin determination up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, truthful lone 11 teams are eligible for the No. 1 pick. Full details connected the process are here. Matthew Schaefer, a defenseman for the OHL's Erie Otters, is No. 1 connected the draught board.