There was only one recreation on the NHL schedule on Monday, however to make up for it there are 15 on the docket Tuesday!
Whether it is a matter of playoff positioning or jockeying for place in the draft lottery standings, every contest has stakes on the road for each golf equipment.
Here’s a game-by-game information to every of the 15 matchups:
Toronto Maple Leafs at Boston Bruins
7 p.m. (ESPN+)
The Bruins are proper in the thick of the Eastern Conference wild-card race — and are even with the Canadiens for the No. 3 seed in the Atlantic primarily based on standings factors (the Habs get the tiebreak because of having a recreation in hand). Coincidentally, Boston has additional motivation in games towards Toronto, on condition that the Leafs traded their 2026 first-rounder to the B’s at final season’s commerce deadline. Should the decide land in the highest 5, it rolls over to a future draft, however that simply means Boston would love nothing greater than having Toronto earn the No. 6 general decide.
Carolina Hurricanes at Montreal Canadiens
7 p.m. (ESPN+)
Speaking of the Canadiens, there’s a state of affairs in play the place their first-round opponent can be the exact same group they’re welcoming to le Centre Bell on Tuesday. That would take a little bit of a heater for the opposite potential wild playing cards and a slight droop for Montreal, however maybe this recreation will embody a little bit of message-sending. On Carolina’s aspect, it enters play on Tuesday because the No. 1 seed in the East, some extent forward of Buffalo, and is 10 factors away from Pittsburgh for first in the Metro. Could the Hurricanes catch Colorado for the Presidents’ Trophy and first general seed in the playoffs? The Avs have a six-point edge and a recreation in hand.
Ottawa Senators at Detroit Red Wings
7 p.m. (ESPN+)
The Senators, with 81 factors via 69 games, are hoping to keep away from sliding out of the playoffs after making their return in 2025. The Red Wings, with 84 via 70, are hoping to get again into the postseason for the primary time in their new area, which opened for the 2017-18 season. Both golf equipment are on the surface trying in proper now, and these factors are crucial to their pursuits.
Seattle Kraken at Florida Panthers
7 p.m. (ESPN+)
Coincidentally, each of those groups have 71 factors via 69 games. But though the Panthers’ playoff desires are hanging on by a minuscule mathematical thread, the Kraken’s are very a lot alive because of the “pillow fight” happening in the Pacific Division, as Oilers middle Connor McDavid put it on Saturday. Seattle enters Tuesday 4 factors again of the second Western wild card and 6 factors again of McDavid’s Oilers for third in the Pacific. Florida finds itself in the highest 10 of the draft lottery standings however can transfer up primarily based on the approaching weeks.
Chicago Blackhawks at New York Islanders
7 p.m. (ESPN+)
Despite some flashes earlier this season, the Blackhawks are lottery-bound for one more yr; they enter Tuesday in the highest three of the lottery standings, and holy smokes this group goes to be loaded when all of those excessive draft picks hit their strides collectively in one other few years. The Isles are hanging on to a wild-card spot at the second however are only a tiebreaker behind the Blue Jackets for third in the Metro and some extent behind the Penguins for second.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Philadelphia Flyers
7 p.m. (ESPN+/Hulu)
Columbus has been one of many NHL’s hottest groups of late and has earned itself a playoff place heading into this one; it is presently some extent behind Pittsburgh for second in the Metro, a tiebreaker forward of the Isles for the second Eastern wild card, and some extent behind Boston for the primary (simply to confuse issues). Philly is in the chase pack peloton in the East, with 5 factors to make up on the Blue Jackets and Isles.
Colorado Avalanche at Pittsburgh Penguins
7 p.m. (ESPN+)
And right here we all have been in the preseason considering that Sidney Crosby would wish to affix his Nova Scotia pal Nathan MacKinnon on the Avalanche in order to make the playoffs. As it stands now, each golf equipment might be in the dance — it is only a matter of the place. Pittsburgh is the lead group in the Metro combine, some extent forward of the Blue Jackets and Islanders and 6 forward of the Flyers. The Avs are the NHL’s high general group, 5 factors away from the Stars for the Central and general standings lead. And sure, that is the Stanley Cup Final matchup in one potential future world!
Minnesota Wild at Tampa Bay Lightning
7:30 p.m. (TNT)
Speaking of Stanley Cup Final potentialities, this would definitely be a enjoyable one — significantly given the Team USA lineage on the Wild (GM Bill Guerin, coach John Hynes, Quinn Hughes, Matt Boldy, Brock Faber) vs. the Team Canada cohort for the Lightning (coach Jon Cooper and Brandon Hagel, together with Brayden Point and Anthony Cirelli, who missed the Olympics attributable to damage). Beyond that storytelling side, the Lightning need to chip away at the division-leading Sabres’ five-point lead, whereas the Wild are hoping to do the identical to the Stars for the No. 2 spot in the Central.
Washington Capitals at St. Louis Blues
8 p.m. (ESPN+)
Is this Alex Ovechkin‘s remaining season in the NHL? Is it Jordan Binnington‘s remaining one for the Blues? Both questions might be answered this offseason. For now, the Caps stay on the fringes of the Eastern wild-card hunt, six factors again of the Isles and with three different groups to leapfrog. The Blues’ playoff likelihood is dwindling shortly, however they presently maintain a top-five spot in the draft lottery standings simply two factors “behind” the Rangers, Blackhawks and Flames.
San Jose Sharks at Nashville Predators
8 p.m. (ESPN+)
Could this be the primary of many journeys to the Stanley Cup playoffs for Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith and the rising Sharks? Could this be a return journey for Steven Stamkos, Ryan O’Reilly and the veteran-laden Predators? Nashville presently possesses the second Western wild card, with 75 factors via 70 games. The Sharks are 5 again with two games in hand, so a win right here would do wonders.
New Jersey Devils at Dallas Stars
8 p.m. (ESPN+)
What would this Devils season have appeared like if Jack Hughes had been wholesome your complete method? The present model is on a little bit of a heater, having gone 7-3-0 in its previous 10, although the playoffs look like only a distant dream. On the opposite aspect of this matchup — a rematch of the 2000 Stanley Cup Final, for the trivia buffs on the market — the Stars have been the second group to clinch a playoff berth and are actually seeking to chase down the Avs for the NHL’s high general seed … and a a lot simpler first-round opponent.
Vegas Golden Knights at Winnipeg Jets
8 p.m. (ESPN+)
Thanks to the relative down yr in the Pacific, the Golden Knights’ 78 factors via 71 games has them in second place, 4 behind the Ducks for first. The Jets, who you will recall received the Presidents’ Trophy because the NHL’s high regular-season group in 2024-25, are 5 factors again of the Preds for the second Western wild card; concurrently, they’re sixth in the draft lottery standings, so there’s a optimistic technique to spin all of this if issues do not get quite a bit higher quickly!
Los Angeles Kings at Calgary Flames
9 p.m. (ESPN+)
If the Kings are going to make one other playoff run in Anze Kopitar‘s remaining marketing campaign in the NHL, that is the kind of recreation they need to win. They enter play Tuesday two factors again of the Preds for the second wild card and 4 again of the Oilers for third in the Pacific. The Flames, who’re definitely seeking to 2026-27 and past after buying and selling away Rasmus Andersson and Nazem Kadri this season, are a part of the three-way tie for second in the draft lottery standings; with one of many extra talent-laden prospect pipelines in the league, higher days are forward.
Edmonton Oilers at Utah Mammoth
9:30 p.m. (ESPN+/Hulu)
Thanks to deft administration and training — in addition to a number of key gamers leveling up this season — the Mammoth seem well-positioned to make their Stanley Cup playoff debut this spring. They presently maintain the primary wild-card place, with 80 factors via 71 games, however are 12 behind the Wild for third in the Central; a type of postseason pathways appears a bit extra seemingly than the opposite. As for Edmonton, McDavid & Co. have some work to do to carry off the Kings, Kraken and Sharks behind them. But, a sizzling streak may additionally put them atop the Pacific, as they enter this recreation 5 factors behind the Ducks.
Anaheim Ducks at Vancouver Canucks
10 p.m. (ESPN+)
The two bookends of the Pacific Division hyperlink up for this one. The Ducks, as talked about above, maintain the No. 1 seed in the Pacific and await a first-round matchup towards the Mammoth in the event that they maintain on to that place; they’re 4 factors forward of Vegas and 5 forward of Edmonton as play begins Tuesday. A complete host of issues went unsuitable for the Canucks this season, and buying and selling away Quinn Hughes, Kiefer Sherwood, Tyler Myers and others was the results of the entrance workplace turning the web page. With 50 factors via 69 games, they’re 15 factors “ahead” of the sector for the highest spot in the draft lottery standings, which might assure the membership a top-three decide this June.
Every group has fewer than 15 games remaining earlier than the common season concludes April 16, and we’ll make it easier to preserve monitor of it all right here on the NHL playoff watch each day. As we traverse the ultimate stretch, we’ll present particulars on all the playoff races — together with the groups jockeying for place in the 2026 NHL draft lottery.
Note: Playoff likelihood is by way of Stathletes.
Jump forward:
Current playoff matchups
Today’s schedule
(*15*)
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick
Current playoff matchups
Eastern Conference
A1 Buffalo Sabres vs. WC1 Boston Bruins
A2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. A3 Montreal Canadiens
M1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. WC2 New York Islanders
M2 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. M3 Columbus Blue Jackets
Western Conference
C1 Colorado Avalanche vs. WC2 Nashville Predators
C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Minnesota Wild
P1 Anaheim Ducks vs. WC1 Utah Mammoth
P2 Vegas Golden Knights vs. P3 Edmonton Oilers
Today’s games
Note: All occasions ET. All games not on TNT or NHL Network are available to stream on ESPN+ (native blackout restrictions apply).
Toronto Maple Leafs at Boston Bruins, 7 p.m.
Carolina Hurricanes at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m.
Ottawa Senators at Detroit Red Wings, 7 p.m.
Seattle Kraken at Florida Panthers, 7 p.m.
Chicago Blackhawks at New York Islanders, 7 p.m.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Philadelphia Flyers, 7 p.m. (ESPN+/Hulu)
Colorado Avalanche at Pittsburgh Penguins, 7 p.m.
Minnesota Wild at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7:30 p.m. (TNT)
Washington Capitals at St. Louis Blues, 8 p.m.
San Jose Sharks at Nashville Predators, 8 p.m.
New Jersey Devils at Dallas Stars, 8 p.m.
Vegas Golden Knights at Winnipeg Jets, 8 p.m.
Los Angeles Kings at Calgary Flames, 9 p.m.
Edmonton Oilers at Utah Mammoth, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN+/Hulu)
Anaheim Ducks at Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m.
Last night time’s scoreboard
Ottawa Senators 2, New York Rangers 1
Expanded standings
Atlantic Division
Points: 95
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff place: A1
Games left: 11
Points tempo: 109.7
Next recreation: vs. BOS (Wednesday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 91
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff place: A2
Games left: 13
Points tempo: 108.2
Next recreation: vs. MIN (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 86
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff place: A3
Games left: 13
Points tempo: 102.2
Next recreation: vs. CAR (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 87.2%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 86
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff place: WC1
Games left: 12
Points tempo: 100.7
Next recreation: vs. TOR (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 69.6%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 84
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 12
Points tempo: 98.4
Next recreation: vs. OTT (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 38.2%
Tragic quantity: 23
Points: 83
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 12
Points tempo: 97.2
Next recreation: @ DET (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 68%
Tragic quantity: 22
Points: 71
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 13
Points tempo: 84.4
Next recreation: vs. SEA (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 0.1%
Tragic quantity: 12
Points: 71
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 11
Points tempo: 82.0
Next recreation: @ BOS (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: ~0%
Tragic quantity: 8
Metro Division
Points: 96
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff place: M1
Games left: 12
Points tempo: 112.5
Next recreation: @ MTL (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 86
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff place: M2
Games left: 12
Points tempo: 100.7
Next recreation: vs. COL (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 83.1%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 85
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff place: M3
Games left: 12
Points tempo: 99.6
Next recreation: @ PHI (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 85.8%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 85
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff place: WC2
Games left: 11
Points tempo: 98.2
Next recreation: vs. CHI (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 50.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 80
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 13
Points tempo: 95.1
Next recreation: vs. CBJ (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 10.6%
Tragic quantity: 21
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 11
Points tempo: 91.2
Next recreation: @ STL (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 6.6%
Tragic quantity: 16
Points: 72
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 13
Points tempo: 85.6
Next recreation: @ DAL (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 0.1%
Tragic quantity: 13
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 11
Points tempo: 75.1
Next recreation: @ TOR (Wednesday)
Playoff probabilities: ~0%
Tragic quantity: 2
Central Division
Points: 102
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff place: C1
Games left: 13
Points tempo: 121.2
Next recreation: @ PIT (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 97
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff place: C2
Games left: 12
Points tempo: 113.6
Next recreation: vs. NJ (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 92
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff place: C3
Games left: 11
Points tempo: 106.3
Next recreation: @ TB (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 80
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff place: WC1
Games left: 11
Points tempo: 92.4
Next recreation: vs. EDM (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.3%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff place: WC2
Games left: 12
Points tempo: 87.9
Next recreation: vs. SJ (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 37.8%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 70
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 12
Points tempo: 82.0
Next recreation: vs. VGK (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 3.3%
Tragic quantity: 19
Points: 67
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 13
Points tempo: 79.6
Next recreation: vs. WSH (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 4.6%
Tragic quantity: 18
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 12
Points tempo: 76.1
Next recreation: @ NYI (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 0.2%
Tragic quantity: 14
Pacific Division
Points: 82
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff place: P1
Games left: 12
Points tempo: 96.1
Next recreation: @ VAN (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff place: P2
Games left: 11
Points tempo: 90.1
Next recreation: @ WPG (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 99%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 77
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff place: P3
Games left: 11
Points tempo: 88.9
Next recreation: @ UTA (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 79.7%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 12
Points tempo: 85.5
Next recreation: @ CGY (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 45.4%
Tragic quantity: 22
Points: 71
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 13
Points tempo: 84.4
Next recreation: @ FLA (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 3.5%
Tragic quantity: 22
Points: 70
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 14
Points tempo: 84.4
Next recreation: @ NSH (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 27.3%
Tragic quantity: 23
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 12
Points tempo: 76.1
Next recreation: vs. LA (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 0.1%
Tragic quantity: 14
Points: 50
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff place: N/A
Games left: 13
Points tempo: 59.4
Next recreation: vs. ANA (Tuesday)
Playoff probabilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Note: An “x” with a group’s identify means the membership has clinched a playoff spot. An “e” implies that the membership has been mathematically eradicated.
Race for the No. 1 decide
The NHL makes use of a draft lottery to find out the order of the primary spherical, so the group that finishes in final place shouldn’t be assured the No. 1 choice. As of 2021, a group can transfer up a most of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so solely 11 groups are eligible for the draw for the No. 1 decide. Full details on the process can be found here. Atop draft boards for this summer season is Gavin McKenna, a ahead for Penn State.
Points: 50
Regulation wins: 14
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 19
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 19
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 23
Points: 67
Regulation wins: 25
Points: 70
Regulation wins: 23
Points: 70
Regulation wins: 20
Points: 71
Regulation wins: 21
Points: 71
Regulation wins: 25
Points: 71
Regulation wins: 27
Points: 72
Regulation wins: 23
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 18
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 30
Points: 80
Regulation wins: 21
Points: 83
Regulation wins: 31
Points: 84
Regulation wins: 27
*Note: The Maple Leafs’ decide belongs to the Bruins, until it lands in the highest 5.
