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  • Tim KavanaghESPN.com

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      Tim Kavanagh is a senior NHL editor for ESPN. He’s a native of upstate New York.

Tonight’s NHL schedule is not one that will have an outsized influence on the playoff races — the Chicago Blackhawks visit the Florida Panthers and the Anaheim Ducks head to Alberta to take on the Calgary Flames.

But all of these teams will play a role in the upcoming 2023 NHL draft lottery.

At this point, all four clubs are in the bottom 16, and eligible to move up in this summer’s draft. As of 2021, teams can move up only 10 spots, so the Flames won’t quite make it all the way to No. 1 should they win a drawing. As for the Panthers, their first-round pick belongs to the Montreal Canadiens as part of the trade for Ben Chiarot last season. For the Ducks and Blackhawks, however, a generational talent is atop the board for their potential selection should they win the lottery.

Connor Bedard of the Regina Pats is the eighth under-18 player in WHL history (and first in 24 years) to score 60 goals in a season, according to Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects. He led Canada to a gold medal at the IIHF World Junior Championship (scoring beauties such as this one), and has essentially been the No. 1 prospect in the 2023 draft class for the past few years. He’s No.1 on the NHL central scouting bureau’s ranks, along with those from The Athletic’s Corey Pronman and Scott Wheeler, Elite Prospects, Sportsnet, TSN, The Hockey News and Chris Peters of FloSports.

“He’s almost magical,” TSN’s Craig Button told ESPN earlier this season. “I never thought I’d say that about him. He was quick and he was fast and he was allusive and everything. But he’s got a magical quality to him.”

Which team will get to draft him? Stay tuned the rest of the season to see which clubs put themselves in… ahem… the best position to win the lottery.

Note: Playoff chances are via FiveThirtyEight.

Jump ahead:
Current playoff matchups
Today’s games
Last night’s scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick

Current playoff matchups

Eastern Conference

A1 Boston Bruins vs. WC2 Pittsburgh Penguins
A2 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. A3 Tampa Bay Lightning
M1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. WC1 New York Islanders
M2 New Jersey Devils vs. M3 New York Rangers

Western Conference

C1 Dallas Stars vs. WC1 Edmonton Oilers
C2 Minnesota Wild vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche
P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC2 Winnipeg Jets
P2 Los Angeles Kings vs. P3 Seattle Kraken

Friday’s games

Note: All times Eastern. All games not on ESPN, TNT or NHL Network are available via NHL Power Play, which is included in an ESPN+ subscription (local blackout restrictions apply).

Chicago Blackhawks at Florida Panthers, 7 p.m.
Anaheim Ducks at Calgary Flames, 9 p.m.

Thursday’s scoreboard

Watch “In the Crease” on ESPN+ for highlights from every game.

New Jersey Devils 3, Washington Capitals 2 (SO)
Edmonton Oilers 3, Boston Bruins 2
Dallas Stars 10, Buffalo Sabres 4
Carolina Hurricanes 1, Philadelphia Flyers 0
New York Rangers 4, Montreal Canadiens 3 (SO)
New York Islanders 4, Pittsburgh Penguins 3 (OT)
Vegas Golden Knights 4, Tampa Bay Lightning 3 (OT)
St. Louis Blues 4, San Jose Sharks 2
Arizona Coyotes 4, Nashville Predators 1
Los Angeles Kings 5, Colorado Avalanche 2
Ottawa Senators 5, Seattle Kraken 4

play

1:46

Stars break out with 10 goals in dominant win

The Dallas Stars score 10 goals in their 10-4 rout of the Buffalo Sabres.

Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

Points: 103
Regulation wins: 42
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 19
Points pace: 134
Next game: vs. DET (Saturday)
Playoff chances: >99%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 86
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 18
Points pace: 110
Next game: vs. EDM (Saturday)
Playoff chances: >99%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 82
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 17
Points pace: 104
Next game: vs. CHI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: >99%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 90
Next game: @ VAN (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 13%
Tragic number: 32

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 88
Next game: vs. CHI (Friday)
Playoff chances: 37%
Tragic number: 30

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 87
Next game: vs. NYR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 8%
Tragic number: 30

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 86
Next game: @ BOS (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 2%
Tragic number: 29

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 73
Next game: vs. NJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: <1%
Tragic number: 18

Metropolitan Division

Points: 94
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 19
Points pace: 122
Next game: vs. VGK (Saturday)
Playoff chances: >99%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 90
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 18
Points pace: 115
Next game: @ MTL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: >99%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 18
Points pace: 104
Next game: @ BUF (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 15
Points pace: 93
Next game: vs. WSH (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 62%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 18
Points pace: 95
Next game: vs. PHI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 72%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 16
Points pace: 86
Next game: @ NYI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 7%
Tragic number: 27

Points: 59
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 74
Next game: @ PIT (Saturday)
Playoff chances: <1%
Tragic number: 19

Points: 47
Regulation wins: 15
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 60
Next game: vs. STL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: <1%
Tragic number: 9

Central Division

Points: 83
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 17
Points pace: 105
Next game: @ SEA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: >99%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 17
Points pace: 102
Next game: @ SJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 97%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 19
Points pace: 99
Next game: vs. ARI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 98%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 17
Points pace: 95
Next game: @ FLA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 58%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 20
Points pace: 91
Next game: @ LA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 25%
Tragic number: 34

Points: 61
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 78
Next game: @ CBJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: <1%
Tragic number: 22

Points: 56
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 71
Next game: @ COL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: <1%
Tragic number: 15

Points: 49
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 63
Next game: @ FLA (Friday)
Playoff chances: <1%
Tragic number: 10

Pacific Division

Points: 84
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 17
Points pace: 106
Next game: @ CAR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 84
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 16
Points pace: 104
Next game: vs. NSH (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 17
Points pace: 101
Next game: vs. DAL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 95%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 16
Points pace: 99
Next game: @ TOR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 98%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 90
Next game: vs. ANA (Friday)
Playoff chances: 33%
Tragic number: 30

Points: 59
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 76
Next game: vs. OTT (Saturday)
Playoff chances: <1%
Tragic number: 20

Points: 51
Regulation wins: 11
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 64
Next game: @ CGY (Friday)
Playoff chances: <1%
Tragic number: 10

Points: 50
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 16
Points pace: 62
Next game: vs. MIN (Saturday)
Playoff chances: <1%
Tragic number: 7

Race for the No. 1 pick

The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order at the top of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. As of 2021, a team may move up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so only 11 teams are eligible for the draw for the No. 1 pick. Full details on the process can be found here. Sitting No. 1 on the draft board for this summer is Connor Bedard, who has been lauded as a generational talent.

Points: 47
Regulation wins: 15

Points: 49
Regulation wins: 14

Points: 50
Regulation wins: 14

Points: 51
Regulation wins: 11

Points: 56
Regulation wins: 18

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 17

Points: 59
Regulation wins: 16

Points: 59
Regulation wins: 22

Points: 61
Regulation wins: 20

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 23

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 24

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 24

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 24

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 26

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 28

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 23

Notes on traded picks impacting the top 16:

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‘Cool milestone’: Verlander gets 3,500th career K

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August 11, 2025

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'Cool milestone': Verlander gets 3,500th career K

  • ESPN News Services

Aug 10, 2025, 07:58 PM ET

SAN FRANCISCO — Justin Verlander added another memorable chapter to his legendary pitching career Sunday, yet was hardly in the mood to celebrate.

Verlander struck out the side in the first inning against the Nationals to become the 10th pitcher in MLB history to reach 3,500 career strikeouts. Not long after, things began to unravel for the three-time Cy Young Award winner as the Giants dropped an 8-0 decision to Washington in front of 40,000 fans at Oracle Park.

Washington scored four times in the second inning and five overall on 11 hits against Verlander in the latest outing in what has been a season-long struggle for the 42-year-old.

“I was happy to get there, happy to have a moment with the fans,” said Verlander, who is 1-9 in 20 starts with the Giants and has a 4.53 ERA. “Cool milestone. I really appreciate what it’s taken to get there.”

Verlander hasn’t given the Giants much to celebrate this season, though he had been in the best stretch of the season before getting roughed up Sunday. In his three previous games, Verlander had a 0.60 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 15 innings.

He finished with six strikeouts against the Nationals, but spent most of his postgame media session focused on his season rather than the 3,500 strikeouts.

Though acknowledging frustration about his 2025 results, Verlander likened his performances to the 2022 campaign, when he went 18-4 with a 1.75 ERA with the Houston Astros en route to winning his third Cy Young.

“Stuff’s great, stuff’s fine,” Verlander said. “I’ve spent a lot of the season looking at comparables. It’s right on par, literally almost up and down the board, with [2022] when I won the Cy Young. So, I think the stuff is just fine. The results have been frustrating.”

With 3,503 career strikeouts after Sunday’s outing, Verlander trails Walter Johnson by 11 strikeouts for ninth most on the all-time list.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Raleigh clubs MLB-best 45th HR in Mariners’ win

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5 hours ago

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August 11, 2025

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Raleigh clubs MLB-best 45th HR in Mariners' win

  • ESPN News Services

Aug 10, 2025, 07:35 PM ET

SEATTLE — Cal Raleigh hit his major-league-leading 45th home run in a four-run first inning, and the Seattle Mariners hung on for a 6-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday.

Raleigh’s two-run shot came off Rays starter Adrian Houser, before Eugenio Suarez added a two-run single for the M’s in the first.

Raleigh, who went 1-for-5, joins Ken Griffey Jr. as the only Mariners players to hit 45 home runs in a season, according to ESPN Research. Griffey did it 5 times.

Raleigh also moved into a tie with Johnny Bench (1970) at second all time for most homers by a catcher in a season. The Kansas City Royals‘ Salvador Perez belted 48 in 2021.

Raleigh homered in all three games of the series.

Sunday’s win was Seattle’s seventh straight, the longest active run in the American League. Josh Naylor also homered for the M’s, who wrapped up a 9-1 homestand.

Seattle starter Bryan Woo (10-6) allowed three runs on seven hits over six innings with nine strikeouts. It was his 23rd start this season of six innings or more. Woo, who walked one batter, also tied the MLB record set by Hall of Fame pitcher Juan Marichal in 1968 for the most consecutive games at the start of the season pitching that long and also allowing two walks or fewer.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Van Gisbergen wins for fourth time this season

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9 hours ago

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August 10, 2025

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Van Gisbergen wins for fourth time this season

  • ESPN News Services

Aug 10, 2025, 04:35 PM ET

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. — Shane van Gisbergen earned his fourth victory this season, blowing out the competition again at Watkins Glen International.

The Trackhouse Racing driver joined 2020 champion Chase Elliott and NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon as the only drivers to win four consecutive Cup races on road or street courses.

Unlike his prior wins at Mexico City, Chicago and Sonoma, van Gisbergen was unable to qualify from the pole position after he was nipped by Ryan Blaney. The Auckland, New Zealand, native bided his team after starting second, taking his first lead on Lap 25 of 90 and then settling into a typically flawless and smooth rhythm on the 2.45-mile road course.

The rookie made his final pit stop with 27 laps remaining and cycled into first place on Lap 74 of a clean race with only three yellow flags. Cruising to a big lead while leading the final 17 laps, van Gisbergen beat Christopher Bell by 11.116 seconds. Chris Buescher finished third, followed by William Byron and Chase Briscoe.

With five victories in only 38 career starts in NASCAR’s premier series, van Gisbergen trails only Elliott (seven wins) and Kyle Larson (six) among active drivers on street or road courses.

The win validated the decision by Trackhouse to sign van Gisbergen to a multiyear contract extension last week.

Feisty Gibbs

It was another frustrating race for Ty Gibbs, who spun John Hunter Nemechek late in Stage 2 and then complained about the handling and strategy of his No. 54 Toyota. Joe Gibbs Racing competition director Chris Gabehart, who recently began working as a strategist and consultant to Gibbs’ team, radioed the driver to “stay in the game” after the Nemechek wreck and later took issue after Gibbs questioned his team’s strategy.

“I’m sure you’ve got a real good understanding from inside the car,” Gabehart told Gibbs on the radio. “So you can call the strategy if you want, or we can keep rolling.”

Gibbs, the grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs, finished 33rd and remained winless since moving into Cup after winning the 2022 Xfinity Series championship. Teammates Chase Briscoe, Denny Hamlin and Bell each have qualified for the playoffs with victories this season.

Up next

The Cup Series will race Saturday, Aug. 16 at Richmond Raceway, which will play host to its only NASCAR race weekend this season. The 0.75-mile oval had two annual races on the Cup schedule from 1959-2024.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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