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Tim KavanaghESPN.com
Saturday brings us an 11-game slate within the NHL, and it is a schedule that can have hockey followers reminiscing about all-day hockey from the opening rounds of the 2020 postseason. The puck drops for our first video games at 12:30 p.m. ET (New York Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils and Washington Capitals vs. Philadelphia Flyers), and closes out with a pair at eight p.m. ET (San Jose Sharks vs. Minnesota Wild and Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Dallas Stars).
However maybe essentially the most anticipated Saturday showdown finds the Tampa Bay Lightning internet hosting the Florida Panthers within the newest renewal of the Battle of Florida. Each groups sit in robust playoff position in the Central Division, and are locked in a race with the Carolina Hurricanes to find out who will get the highest seed heading into subsequent month’s postseason.
The latest matchup noticed the Lightning win in overtime, 3-2, and so they lead the season sequence by the identical margin. Tonight’s game guarantees to be one other tantalizing affair, and it streams live on ESPN+.
As we enter the ultimate stretch of the common season, it is time to verify in on all of the playoff races — together with the groups jockeying for place within the 2021 NHL draft lottery.
Observe: Playoff chances are high through Money Puck. Tragic numbers are courtesy of Damian Echevarrieta of the NHL.
East Division
Zero:24
Taylor Corridor data his second aim since being traded to the Bruins as they beat the Islanders Three-Zero.
Factors: 60
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff place: E1
Video games left: 12
Subsequent recreation: @ PHI (Apr. 17)
Playoff probabilities: 93.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 58
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff place: E2
Video games left: 12
Subsequent recreation: @ PHI (Apr. 18)
Playoff probabilities: 94%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 57
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff place: E3
Video games left: 13
Subsequent recreation: @ BUF (Apr. 17)
Playoff probabilities: 98.Four%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 54
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff place: E4
Video games left: 14
Subsequent recreation: vs. WSH (Apr, 18)
Playoff probabilities: 89.eight%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 48
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 13
Subsequent recreation: vs. NJ (Apr. 17)
Playoff probabilities: 20.7%
Tragic quantity: 21
Factors: 46
Regulation wins: 13
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 13
Subsequent recreation: vs. WSH (Apr. 17)
Playoff probabilities: Three.2%
Tragic quantity: 18
Factors: 34
Regulation wins: 11
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 14
Subsequent recreation: @ NYR (Apr. 17)
Playoff probabilities: Zero%
Tragic quantity: eight
Factors: 29
Regulation wins: eight
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 13
Subsequent recreation: vs. PIT (Apr. 17)
Playoff probabilities: Zero%
Tragic quantity: 1
Central Division
Factors: 60
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff place: C1
Video games left: 14
Subsequent recreation: vs. NSH (Apr. 17)
Playoff probabilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 60
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff place: C2
Video games left: 13
Subsequent recreation: vs. FLA (Apr. 17)
Playoff probabilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 59
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff place: C3
Video games left: 12
Subsequent recreation: @ TB (Apr. 17)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 49
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff place: C4
Video games left: 11
Subsequent recreation: @ CAR (Apr. 17)
Playoff probabilities: 55.1%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 45
Regulation wins: 13
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 12
Subsequent recreation: @ DET (Apr. 17)
Playoff probabilities: 6.6%
Tragic quantity: 20
Factors: 44
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 14
Subsequent recreation: vs. CBJ (Apr. 17)
Playoff probabilities: 38.Four%
Tragic quantity: 23
Factors: 39
Regulation wins: 11
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 11
Subsequent recreation: @ DAL (Apr. 17)
Playoff probabilities: Zero%
Tragic quantity: 12
Factors: 38
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 11
Subsequent recreation: vs. CHI (Apr. 17)
Playoff probabilities: Zero%
Tragic quantity: 11
North Division
Zero:24
Tyler Toffoli tallies a pair of objectives because the Canadiens squeak by the Flames 2-1.
Factors: 60
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff place: N1
Video games left: 12
Subsequent recreation: @ VAN (Apr. 17)
Playoff probabilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 57
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff place: N2
Video games left: 12
Subsequent recreation: vs. EDM (Apr. 17)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 52
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff place: N3
Video games left: 14
Subsequent recreation: @ WPG (Apr. 17)
Playoff probabilities: 97.2%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 47
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff place: N4
Video games left: 15
Subsequent recreation: vs. CGY (Apr. 16)
Playoff probabilities: 85.1%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 41
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 12
Subsequent recreation: @ MTL (Apr. 16)
Playoff probabilities: 14.6%
Tragic quantity: 18
Factors: 35
Regulation wins: 11
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 19
Subsequent recreation: vs. TOR (Apr. 17)
Playoff probabilities: Three.1%
Tragic quantity: 26
Factors: 32
Regulation wins: 10
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 12
Subsequent recreation: @ MTL (Apr. 17)
Playoff probabilities: Zero%
Tragic quantity: 9
West Division
Zero:29
Reilly Smith is stopped in entrance, however William Karlsson jumps on the puck and scores 9 seconds into the interval within the Golden Knights’ Four-Zero win over the Geese.
Factors: 64
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff place: W1
Video games left: 13
Subsequent recreation: @ STL (Apr. 22)
Playoff probabilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 62
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff place: W2
Video games left: 13
Subsequent recreation: @ ANA (Apr. 18)
Playoff probabilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 55
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff place: W3
Video games left: 14
Subsequent recreation: vs. SJ (Apr. 17)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 44
Regulation wins: 13
Playoff place: W4
Video games left: 14
Subsequent recreation: @ ARI (Apr. 17)
Playoff probabilities: 42.Three%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 43
Regulation wins: 15
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 12
Subsequent recreation: vs. STL (Apr. 17)
Playoff probabilities: 34.6%
Tragic quantity: 24
Factors: 40
Regulation wins: 12
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 13
Subsequent recreation: @ MIN (Apr. 17)
Playoff probabilities: 13.9%
Tragic quantity: 22
Factors: 38
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 14
Subsequent recreation: vs. ANA (Apr. 20)
Playoff probabilities: 9%
Tragic quantity: 23
Factors: 35
Regulation wins: 9
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 11
Subsequent recreation: vs. VGS (Apr. 18)
Playoff probabilities: Zero.2%
Tragic quantity: 13
Race for the No. 1 choose
The NHL makes use of a draft lottery to find out the order on the prime of the primary spherical, so the crew that finishes in final place is just not assured the No. 1 choice. New for 2021, a crew could 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 choose. Full details on the process can be found here.
Factors: 29
Regulation wins: eight
Factors: 32
Regulation wins: 10
Factors: 34
Regulation wins: 11
Factors: 35
Regulation wins: 9
Factors: 35
Regulation wins: 11
Factors: 38
Regulation wins: 14
Factors: 38
Regulation wins: 14
Factors: 39
Regulation wins: 11
Factors: 40
Regulation wins: 12
Factors: 41
Regulation wins: 16
Factors: 43
Regulation wins: 15
Factors: 44
Regulation wins: 14
Factors: 45
Regulation wins: 13
Factors: 46
Regulation wins: 13
Factors: 48
Regulation wins: 18