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Tim KavanaghESPN.com
Whereas the playoff races for the No. 4 seeds across the NHL generally get extra consideration, tonight the highlight can be on the groups vying for the highest spot in three of the 4 divisions.
From the East, the New York Islanders will play host to the Washington Capitals, with the house workforce having gained every sport on this seasons so far. These groups are knotted at 62 factors apiece, although Washington has extra regulation wins (24-21), and holds the benefit in head-to-head video games (for now, at the least).
The Central Division conflict options the Carolina Hurricanes visiting the Florida Panthers, and this one will stream live on ESPN+. The Canes have had their approach with the Cats so far, main the season sequence 5-1, outscoring the Panthers 22-13 within the course of. These groups are additionally tied in standings factors (and regulation wins), although Carolina has two video games in hand.
Lastly, the North Division showdown pits the host Winnipeg Jets against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Toronto has a four-point lead within the standings, however Winnipeg has a sport in hand.
Tonight can be one other event to deploy your further screens, since all three of these matchups — and 7 of the 10 on the slate — begin at 7 p.m. ET.
As we enter the ultimate stretch of the common season, it is time to examine in on all of the playoff races — together with the groups jockeying for place within the 2021 NHL draft lottery.
Be aware: Playoff chances are high through Money Puck. Tragic numbers are courtesy of Damian Echevarrieta of the NHL.
Bounce forward:
Current playoff matchups
Race for No. 1 pick
East Division
Factors: 62
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff place: E1
Video games left: 10
Subsequent sport: @ NYI (Apr. 22)
Playoff probabilities: 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 probabilities: 98.Four%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 61
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff place: E3
Video games left: 10
Subsequent sport: vs. NJ (Apr. 22)
Playoff probabilities: 99.Four%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 58
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff place: E4
Video games left: 12
Subsequent sport: @ BUF (Apr. 22)
Playoff probabilities: 96.2%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 52
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 10
Subsequent sport: vs. PHI (Apr. 22)
Playoff probabilities: 6.eight%
Tragic quantity: 15
Factors: 47
Regulation wins: 13
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 11
Subsequent sport: @ NYR (Apr. 22)
Playoff probabilities: zero.2%
Tragic quantity: 11
Factors: 34
Regulation wins: 11
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 11
Subsequent sport: @ PIT (Apr. 22)
Playoff probabilities: zero%
Tragic quantity: E
Factors: 31
Regulation wins: 9
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 10
Subsequent sport: vs. BOS (Apr. 22)
Playoff probabilities: zero%
Tragic quantity: E
Central Division
zero:30
Brandon Hagel goes up excessive and scores the winner in extra time in Chicago’s 5-Four win over Nashville.
Factors: 65
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff place: C1
Video games left: 11
Subsequent sport: @ FLA (Apr. 22)
Playoff probabilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 65
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff place: C2
Video games left: 9
Subsequent sport: vs. CAR (Apr. 22)
Playoff probabilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 62
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff place: C3
Video games left: 10
Subsequent sport: vs. CBJ (Apr. 22)
Playoff probabilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 52
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff place: C4
Video games left: eight
Subsequent sport: @ CHI (Apr. 23)
Playoff probabilities: 37.5%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 50
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 11
Subsequent sport: @ DET (Apr. 22)
Playoff probabilities: 57.6%
Tragic quantity: 20
Factors: 49
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 9
Subsequent sport: vs. NSH (Apr. 23)
Playoff probabilities: Four.9%
Tragic quantity: 15
Factors: 39
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: eight
Subsequent sport: vs. DAL (Apr. 22)
Playoff probabilities: zero%
Tragic quantity: Three
Factors: 39
Regulation wins: 11
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: eight
Subsequent sport: @ TB (Apr. 22)
Playoff probabilities: zero%
Tragic quantity: Three
North Division
zero:27
Josh Anderson strikes twice for the Canadiens of their Four-Three win over the Oilers.
Factors: 61
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff place: N1
Video games left: 10
Subsequent sport: @ WPG (Apr. 22)
Playoff probabilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 57
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff place: N2
Video games left: 11
Subsequent sport: vs. TOR (Apr. 22)
Playoff probabilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 56
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff place: N3
Video games left: 11
Subsequent sport: @ WPG (Apr. 26)
Playoff probabilities: 98.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 49
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff place: N4
Video games left: 12
Subsequent sport: @ CGY (Apr. 23)
Playoff probabilities: 85.Three%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 41
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 11
Subsequent sport: vs. MTL (Apr. 23)
Playoff probabilities: eight.Four%
Tragic quantity: 14
Factors: 39
Regulation wins: 12
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 17
Subsequent sport: vs. OTT (Apr. 22)
Playoff probabilities: 7.6%
Tragic quantity: 24
Factors: 36
Regulation wins: 12
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 10
Subsequent sport: @ VAN (Apr. 22)
Playoff probabilities: zero%
Tragic quantity: 7
West Division
zero:23
Kirill Kaprizov’s third-period purpose breaks Minnesota’s rookie document and the Wild stretch their profitable streak to 5 video games with a Four-1 win over the Coyotes.
Factors: 68
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff place: W1
Video games left: 10
Subsequent sport: @ ANA (Apr. 24)
Playoff probabilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 64
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff place: W2
Video games left: 13
Subsequent sport: @ STL (Apr. 22)
Playoff probabilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 61
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff place: W3
Video games left: 11
Subsequent sport: @ LA (Apr. 23)
Playoff probabilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 45
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff place: W4
Video games left: 9
Subsequent sport: @ LA (Apr. 24)
Playoff probabilities: 21.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A
Factors: 44
Regulation wins: 13
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 13
Subsequent sport: vs. COL (Apr. 22)
Playoff probabilities: 46.2%
Tragic quantity: 25
Factors: 41
Regulation wins: 12
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 10
Subsequent sport: vs. MIN (Apr. 24)
Playoff probabilities: 6.Three%
Tragic quantity: 18
Factors: 40
Regulation wins: 15
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 13
Subsequent sport: vs. MIN (Apr. 23)
Playoff probabilities: 25.5%
Tragic quantity: 21
Factors: 35
Regulation wins: 9
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 9
Subsequent sport: vs. VGS (Apr. 24)
Playoff probabilities: 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 workforce that finishes in final place is just not assured the No. 1 choice. New for 2021, a workforce 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 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