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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.

On Wednesday, we pondered whether the Buffalo Sabres or Washington Capitals — who were facing off that night — could earn themselves a playoff spot. Prior to that game, the Sabres’ playoff chances stood at 16%, per FiveThirtyEight.

The Caps would win that night’s game via shootout, and the Sabres would go on to lose Friday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers 5-2. Their playoff chances are now at 7%.

If there is a path for Buffalo to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2010-11, it begins with Sunday’s matchup against the Boston Bruins (1 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+). Thus far this season, the Bruins have won two games cleanly (3-1 on Nov. 12 and 7-1 on March 2), while the Sabres won 4-3 in OT on New Years Eve. A win against the Bruins might be a tough assignment based on what we saw against Philly on Friday.

Beyond Sunday, six of the Sabres’ final 13 games will be against teams currently in playoff position. They’ll also face their fellow wild-card seekers — the Florida Panthers, Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators — one time apiece.

So this is not an impossible task, but it’s certainly a tough one. The good news: The Sabres will play a game on the season’s final day against the basement-dwelling Columbus Blue Jackets, so they’ll be in a good spot if they happen to need just two extra points to push them into the postseason.

As we enter the final stretch of the regular season, it’s time to check all the playoff races — along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2023 NHL draft 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 Seattle Kraken
C2 Colorado Avalanche vs. C3 Minnesota Wild
P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC2 Winnipeg Jets
P2 Los Angeles Kings vs. P3 Edmonton Oilers

Sunday’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).

Boston Bruins at Buffalo Sabres, 1 p.m.
Washington Capitals at Minnesota Wild, 2 p.m. (NHLN)
Columbus Blue Jackets at Vegas Golden Knights, 4 p.m.
Nashville Predators at New York Rangers, 7 p.m.
Winnipeg Jets at St. Louis Blues, 7 p.m.
New Jersey Devils at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7 p.m. (NHLN)
Vancouver Canucks at Anaheim Ducks, 8 p.m.

Saturday’s scoreboard

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

Colorado Avalanche 5, Detroit Red Wings 1
Boston Bruins 5, Minnesota Wild 2
Winnipeg Jets 3, Nashville Predators 2 (OT)
Edmonton Oilers 6, Seattle Kraken 4
Carolina Hurricanes 5, Philadelphia Flyers 4 (OT)
Florida Panthers 4, New Jersey Devils 2
Toronto Maple Leafs 5, Ottawa Senators 4 (SO)
Tampa Bay Lightning 5, Montreal Canadiens 3
New York Rangers 6, Pittsburgh Penguins 0
Dallas Stars 6, Calgary Flames 5 (OT)
Vancouver Canucks 3, Los Angeles Kings 2 (SO)
Arizona Coyotes 4, Chicago Blackhawks 2
New York Islanders 4, San Jose Sharks 1

Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

Points: 109
Regulation wins: 45
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 14
Points pace: 131
Next game: @ BUF (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 93
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 13
Points pace: 111
Next game: @ NYI (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: >99%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 90
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 12
Points pace: 105
Next game: vs. NJ (Sunday)
Playoff chances: >99%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 92
Next game: @ DET (Monday)
Playoff chances: 63%
Tragic number: 25

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 14
Points pace: 87
Next game: vs. BOS (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 7%
Tragic number: 22

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 84
Next game: @ PIT (Monday)
Playoff chances: 1%
Tragic number: 19

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 14
Points pace: 83
Next game: vs. FLA (Monday)
Playoff chances: <1%
Tragic number: 19

Points: 60
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 70
Next game: vs. TB (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: <1%
Tragic number: 6

Metropolitan Division

Points: 98
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 14
Points pace: 118
Next game: @ NYR (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: >99%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 95
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 13
Points pace: 113
Next game: @ TB (Sunday)
Playoff chances: >99%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 90
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 13
Points pace: 107
Next game: vs. NSH (Sunday)
Playoff chances: >99%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 11
Points pace: 92
Next game: s. TOR (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 63%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 13
Points pace: 93
Next game: vs. OTT (Monday)
Playoff chances: 60%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 86
Next game: @ MIN (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 5%
Tragic number: 19

Points: 62
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 74
Next game: vs. FLA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: <1%
Tragic number: 10

Points: 49
Regulation wins: 15
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 14
Points pace: 59
Next game: @ VGK (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Central Division

Points: 89
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 12
Points pace: 104
Next game: vs. SEA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: >99%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 86
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 14
Points pace: 104
Next game: vs. CHI (Monday)
Playoff chances: >99%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 86
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 13
Points pace: 102
Next game: vs. WSH (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 98%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 12
Points pace: 95
Next game: @ STL (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 71%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 15
Points pace: 93
Next game: @ NYR (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 22%
Tragic number: 25

Points: 65
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 14
Points pace: 78
Next game: vs. WPG (Sunday)
Playoff chances: <1%
Tragic number: 12

Points: 65
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 76
Next game: @ WPG (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: <1%
Tragic number: 7

Points: 54
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 64
Next game: @ COL (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Pacific Division

Points: 90
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 13
Points pace: 107
Next game: vs. CBJ (Sunday)
Playoff chances: >99%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 90
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 12
Points pace: 105
Next game: vs. CGY (Monday)
Playoff chances: >99%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 86
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 12
Points pace: 101
Next game: vs. SJ (Monday)
Playoff chances: >99%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 83
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 13
Points pace: 99
Next game: @ DAL (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 89%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 90
Next game: @ LA (Monday)
Playoff chances: 21%
Tragic number: 20

Points: 65
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 14
Points pace: 78
Next game: @ ANA (Sunday)
Playoff chances: <1%
Tragic number: 12

Points: 56
Regulation wins: 13
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 67
Next game: vs. VAN (Sunday)
Playoff chances: <1%
Tragic number: 1

Points: 52
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 61
Next game: @ EDM (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

X — Clinched playoff berth; E — Eliminated from playoff contention

Race for the No. 1 pick

The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. As of 2021, a team might 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: 49
Regulation wins: 15

Points: 52
Regulation wins: 14

Points: 54
Regulation wins: 16

Points: 56
Regulation wins: 13

Points: 60
Regulation wins: 18

Points: 62
Regulation wins: 23

Points: 65
Regulation wins: 18

Points: 65
Regulation wins: 20

Points: 65
Regulation wins: 22

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 24

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 26

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 25

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 25

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 25

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 25

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 30

Notes on traded picks impacting the top 16:

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Ovi, Caps honor Wild’s Fleury with handshakes

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March 28, 2025

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Ovi, Caps honor Wild's Fleury with handshakes

  • Associated Press

Mar 27, 2025, 11:59 PM ET

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Alex Ovechkin didn’t score for Washington, staying at 889 career goals and six away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record.

But Ovechkin did initiate a memorable moment on the ice in Minnesota on Thursday night.

The three-time NHL MVP, who has been in the spotlight for months amid his pursuit of Gretzky’s career goal mark, hustled over toward the tunnel behind the bench after the horn sounded on Washington’s 4-2 loss to make sure all of the Capitals came back on the ice to shake hands with retiring Wild goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. Ovechkin was the first to greet Fleury at center ice as they shared a hug and a laugh.

Fleury, who’s in his 21st and assuredly final season in the league, was on the home bench all night while Filip Gustavsson manned the net.

Ovechkin mentioned to the team in the morning that it would be the last matchup against Fleury, who faced Ovechkin and the Capitals frequently over the first 13 seasons of his career with Pittsburgh. Ovechkin had 28 goals in 47 games against Fleury, his most against any goalie.

“He’s had so many battles with the Caps, with ‘O,'” Washington coach Spencer Carbery said. “Pretty classy to be able to send him off and just say how impressive a career he had.”

Capitals center Dylan Strome played briefly with Fleury in Chicago.

“Everyone knows he’s one of the best people of all time in the game, so the little respect we can show him at the end of the game I think goes a long way,” Strome said.

The Wild were impressed by the gesture, even if they weren’t surprised.

“Every team we go to, you see the signs. Everyone loves him, and everyone loves playing against him,” Gustavsson said. “I think no one really would say anything bad about him.”

At some point soon, the Wild probably will find themselves doing their own internal tribute.

“It’s awesome to see. It’s fun for him, and I am happy for him,” defenseman Jonas Brodin said. “He’s a great person and one of the best I have ever played with, so it’s pretty cool. It’s special to have that when you quit hockey someday, that you played with that guy, for sure.”

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Crosby breaks Gretzky’s point-per-game record

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17 mins ago

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March 28, 2025

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Crosby breaks Gretzky's point-per-game record

  • Associated Press

Mar 27, 2025, 08:33 PM ET

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The accomplishment was special. The result disappointing.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby sat slumped at his locker stall Thursday night focused more on his team’s latest lopsided loss than the personal milestone of breaking an NHL record he shared with Wayne Gretzky for point-per-game consistency.

“It’s tough when you play to win. And obviously it’s a special milestone,” Crosby said following a 7-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, inching the Penguins closer to missing the playoffs for a third straight season.

“But you know in a game like that, it’s not really the same. So, yeah, just a tough night. Yeah, tough night.”

With his parents in the Buffalo stands, Crosby provided the Penguins’ lone highlight by scoring 8:49 into the first period to cut the Sabres’ lead to 2-1. Set up in front by Rickard Rackell, Crosby used his right skate to kick the puck onto his stick and in one motion snapped a shot inside the right post.

It was his 26th goal and 80th point of the season in his 72nd game, after missing two with injury. With eight games left in Pittsburgh’s season, Crosby is assured of finishing his 20th NHL season averaging at least a point per outing.

The Penguins captain surpassed the mark first set by Gretzky, who finished all but his 20th and final NHL season in 1998-99 averaging a point a game.

“He’s a tremendous, special player and person,” teammate Bryan Rust said. “There’s a lot of people who can be good for one, two, five years. But to do it for that long, I think is incredibly special.”

What stands out beyond the consistency to coach Mike Sullivan is Crosby’s competitive drive.

“I’ve said it on so many occasions, just his passion for the game and his willingness to put the work in to continue to be at his best. It’s just remarkable,” Sullivan said.

This, after all, is a player who has upped his game since the 4 Nations tournament by combining for nine goals and 22 points in his past 17 outings in a bid to carry the Penguins back into playoff contention.

“I think when you’re in circumstances like this, you find out a lot about people,” Sullivan said. “And I think it exemplifies his leadership.”

Since being selected by Pittsburgh with the No. 1 pick in 2005 draft, Crosby has led the franchise to win three Stanley Cup championships. He’s a two-time NHL regular season MVP and twice won the league’s regular-season points race.

“I think you have to continue to get better and learn, even after thjs long, you’ve got to continue to evolve and adjust,” Crosby said of the keys to his consistency. “But I’ve been pretty lucky to play with some great players over that 20 years. And I think that’s a big part of it, too.”

Crosby’s feat comes as Washington’s Alex Ovechkin is five goals from breaking Gretzky’s NHL career record of 894 career goals.

It shouldn’t have been a surprise that Crosby scored against Buffalo. He has made a career of producing against the non-division rivals in leading all active players with 86 points (30 goals, 56 assists) in 61 career games against the Sabres.

Loss aside, the consolation for Crosby was having his parents on hand to share yet another memorable moment in a career that included him scoring the gold-medal clinching goal in a 3-2 overtime win over the U.S. at the 2010 Vancouver Games.

“They’ve been to a lot of games over the years and they’ve sacrificed so much and been so, so supportive,” Crosby said. “To have them here for a moment like this is really special. And it’s the least I could do.”

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NHL fines Bruins rookie Callahan for cross-check

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17 mins ago

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March 28, 2025

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NHL fines Bruins rookie Callahan for cross-check

  • Field Level Media

Mar 27, 2025, 07:40 PM ET

The NHL has fined Boston Bruins rookie defenseman Michael Callahan $2,018.23 for cross-checking Anaheim forward Jansen Harkins during the Ducks’ 6-2 home victory on Wednesday.

The fine, announced Thursday by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety, is the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement with the players’ union. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

The incident occurred at 13:58 of the second period, with Callahan assessed a double minor penalty for high sticking. Callahan and Harkins were assessed penalties for fighting at the 4:12 mark of the third period.

Callahan, 25, has played 14 games and has zero points, a minus-4 rating, 11 blocks and five hits in averaging 13:32 of ice time. He earned his first penalty minutes of the season Wednesday.

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