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Tim KavanaghESPN.com
There was a time earlier within the 2021 NHL season when it appeared just like the Chicago Blackhawks had arrived again on the scene as a respectable playoff contender. The younger wave had injected power, guided by veterans of the dynastic period like Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith.
Chicago has drifted again a bit since then. Whereas the Blackhawks’ playoff hopes stay mathematically alive, they should begin stringing collectively extra wins, as they’ve gone 5-5-Zero of their previous 10. They’ve an opportunity to make up some floor on Wednesday night time as they welcome the Nashville Predators to the United Middle. Sadly, that is maybe the mistaken opponent in opposition to which to start out an enormous rally; the Preds have gained all six matchups within the season sequence, with an total aim differential of 19-Eight.
As we enter the ultimate stretch of the common season, it is time to test in on all of the playoff races — together with the groups jockeying for place within the 2021 NHL draft lottery.
Word: Playoff likelihood is through Money Puck. Tragic numbers are courtesy of Damian Echevarrieta of the NHL.
Leap forward:
Current playoff matchups
Race for No. 1 pick
East Division
Zero:31
Josh Bailey notches a pair of targets within the Islanders’ 6-1 thrashing of the Rangers.
Factors: 62
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff place: E1
Video games left: 10
Subsequent sport: @ NYI (Apr. 22)
Playoff possibilities: 99.1%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 62
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff place: E2
Video games left: 10
Subsequent sport: vs. WSH (Apr. 22)
Playoff possibilities: 98.5%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 61
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff place: E3
Video games left: 10
Subsequent sport: vs. NJ (Apr. 22)
Playoff possibilities: 99.5%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 58
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff place: E4
Video games left: 12
Subsequent sport: @ BUF (Apr. 22)
Playoff possibilities: 95.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 52
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 10
Subsequent sport: vs. PHI (Apr. 22)
Playoff possibilities: 6.Eight%
Tragic quantity: 15
Factors: 47
Regulation wins: 13
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 11
Subsequent sport: @ NYR (Apr. 22)
Playoff possibilities: Zero.2%
Tragic quantity: 11
Factors: 34
Regulation wins: 11
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 11
Subsequent sport: @ PIT (Apr. 22)
Playoff possibilities: Zero%
Tragic quantity: E
Factors: 31
Regulation wins: 9
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 10
Subsequent sport: vs. BOS (Apr. 22)
Playoff possibilities: Zero%
Tragic quantity: E
Central Division
Zero:37
Sam Bennett tallies two targets within the Panthers’ 5-1 rout of the Blue Jackets.
Factors: 65
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff place: C1
Video games left: 11
Subsequent sport: @ FLA (Apr. 22)
Playoff possibilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 65
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff place: C2
Video games left: 9
Subsequent sport: vs. CAR (Apr. 22)
Playoff possibilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 62
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff place: C3
Video games left: 10
Subsequent sport: vs. CBJ (Apr. 22)
Playoff possibilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 51
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff place: C4
Video games left: 9
Subsequent sport: @ CHI (Apr. 21)
Playoff possibilities: 36.6%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 50
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 11
Subsequent sport: @ DET (Apr. 22)
Playoff possibilities: 59.Three%
Tragic quantity: 21
Factors: 47
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 10
Subsequent sport: vs. NSH (Apr. 21)
Playoff possibilities: four.1%
Tragic quantity: 16
Factors: 39
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: Eight
Subsequent sport: vs. DAL (Apr. 22)
Playoff possibilities: Zero%
Tragic quantity: four
Factors: 39
Regulation wins: 11
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: Eight
Subsequent sport: @ TB (Apr. 22)
Playoff possibilities: Zero%
Tragic quantity: four
North Division
Zero:49
Tanner Pearson’s two targets gasoline the Canucks to a 6-Three win vs. the Maple Leafs.
Factors: 61
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff place: N1
Video games left: 10
Subsequent sport: @ WPG (Apr. 22)
Playoff possibilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 57
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff place: N2
Video games left: 11
Subsequent sport: vs. TOR (Apr. 22)
Playoff possibilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 56
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff place: N3
Video games left: 12
Subsequent sport: vs. MTL (Apr. 21)
Playoff possibilities: 99.6%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 47
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff place: N4
Video games left: 13
Subsequent sport: @ EDM (Apr. 21)
Playoff possibilities: 78.2%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 41
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 11
Subsequent sport: vs. MTL (Apr. 23)
Playoff possibilities: 12.7%
Tragic quantity: 16
Factors: 39
Regulation wins: 12
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 17
Subsequent sport: vs. OTT (Apr. 22)
Playoff possibilities: 9.7%
Tragic quantity: 26
Factors: 36
Regulation wins: 12
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 10
Subsequent sport: @ VAN (Apr. 22)
Playoff possibilities: Zero%
Tragic quantity: 9
West Division
Zero:30
Anze Kopitar’s aim within the second interval all however seals the sport for the Kings.
Factors: 66
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff place: W1
Video games left: 11
Subsequent sport: vs. SJ (Apr. 21)
Playoff possibilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 64
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff place: W2
Video games left: 13
Subsequent sport: @ STL (Apr. 22)
Playoff possibilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 59
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff place: W3
Video games left: 12
Subsequent sport: @ ARI (Apr. 21)
Playoff possibilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 45
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff place: W4
Video games left: 10
Subsequent sport: vs. MIN (Apr. 21)
Playoff possibilities: 29.6%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 44
Regulation wins: 13
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 13
Subsequent sport: vs. COL (Apr. 22)
Playoff possibilities: 39.6%
Tragic quantity: 25
Factors: 41
Regulation wins: 12
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 11
Subsequent sport: @ VGS (Apr. 21)
Playoff possibilities: Eight.Eight%
Tragic quantity: 18
Factors: 40
Regulation wins: 15
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 13
Subsequent sport: vs. MIN (Apr. 23)
Playoff possibilities: 22%
Tragic quantity: 21
Factors: 35
Regulation wins: 9
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 9
Subsequent sport: vs. VGS (Apr. 24)
Playoff possibilities: Zero%
Tragic quantity: Eight
Present playoff matchups
East Division
No. 1 Washington Capitals vs. No. four Boston Bruins
No. 2 New York Islanders vs. No. Three Pittsburgh Penguins
Central Division
No. 1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. No. four Nashville Predators
No. 2 Florida Panthers vs. No. Three Tampa Bay Lightning
North Division
No. 1 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. No. four Montreal Canadiens
No. 2 Winnipeg Jets vs. No. Three Edmonton Oilers
West Division
No. 1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. No. four Arizona Coyotes
No. 2 Colorado Avalanche vs. No. Three Minnesota Wild
Race for the No. 1 decide
The NHL makes use of a draft lottery to find out the order on the high of the primary spherical, so the group that finishes in final place shouldn’t be assured the No. 1 choice. New for 2021, a group might 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.
Factors: 31
Regulation wins: 9
Factors: 34
Regulation wins: 11
Factors: 35
Regulation wins: 9
Factors: 36
Regulation wins: 12
Factors: 39
Regulation wins: 11
Factors: 39
Regulation wins: 12
Factors: 39
Regulation wins: 14
Factors: 40
Regulation wins: 15
Factors: 41
Regulation wins: 12
Factors: 41
Regulation wins: 16
Factors: 44
Regulation wins: 13
Factors: 47
Regulation wins: 13
Factors: 47
Regulation wins: 14
Factors: 50
Regulation wins: 16
Factors: 52
Regulation wins: 20