NHL playoff watch: Can the Flames make the postseason?
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Tim KavanaghESPN.com
Last season, the Calgary Flames won the Pacific Division crown, and made it to the second round of the playoffs before losing to Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers in the latest round of the Battle of Alberta.
It was a summer of drastic change for the Flames. Out were forwards Johnny Gaudreau, Matthew Tkachuk and Sean Monahan, in were forwards Jonathan Huberdeau and Nazem Kadri, along with defenseman MacKenzie Weegar. Nevertheless, the sportsbooks had them as an 18-to-1 Stanley Cup favorite in the fall, and they landed eighth in the ESPN preseason power rankings.
The playoffs remain a possibility for the club, but they are on the outside looking in as they take on the Los Angeles Kings tonight (10:30 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+); they are six points and five regulation wins behind the Seattle Kraken, while they are four points and four regulation wins behind the Winnipeg Jets. FiveThirtyEight gives them a 28% chance of getting to the playoffs.
The Flames beat the Kings 6-4 back on Nov. 14, and lost 4-3 in OT on Dec. 22. After tonight’s game, the two teams play again on March 28.
Aside from the games against L.A., the Flames play seven of their 10 other remaining games against teams that are in great draft lottery position, one game against the division-leading Vegas Golden Knights, and one against the Nashville Predators, who are fighting for one of those same wild-card spots. There is certainly a path for a late run to the playoffs.
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 Minnesota Wild vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche
P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC2 Winnipeg Jets
P2 Los Angeles Kings vs. P3 Edmonton Oilers
Monday’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).
Florida Panthers at Detroit Red Wings 7 p.m. (NHLN)
Ottawa Senators at Pittsburgh Penguins, 7 p.m.
Chicago Blackhawks at Colorado Avalanche, 9 p.m.
San Jose Sharks at Edmonton Oilers, 9:30 p.m.
Calgary Flames at Los Angeles Kings, 10:30 p.m.
Sunday’s scoreboard
Watch “In the Crease” on ESPN+ for highlights from every game.
Boston Bruins 7, Buffalo Sabres 0
Minnesota Wild 5, Washington Capitals 3
Vegas Golden Knights 7, Columbus Blue Jackets 2
New York Rangers 7, Nashville Predators 0
St. Louis Blues 3, Winnipeg Jets 0
New Jersey Devils 5, Tampa Bay Lightning 2
Vancouver Canucks 2, Anaheim Ducks 1
Expanded standings
Atlantic Division
Points: 111
Regulation wins: 46
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 13
Points pace: 132
Next game: vs. OTT (Tuesday)
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: 11
Points pace: 104
Next game: @ MTL (Tuesday)
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: 64%
Tragic number: 25
Points: 72
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 86
Next game: vs. NSH (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 4%
Tragic number: 20
Points: 71
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 84
Next game: @ PIT (Monday)
Playoff chances: 2%
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: 97
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 12
Points pace: 114
Next game: vs. MIN (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: >99%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 92
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 12
Points pace: 108
Next game: vs. CAR (Tuesday)
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: 65%
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: 62%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 84
Next game: vs. CBJ (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 3%
Tragic number: 17
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: 13
Points pace: 58
Next game: @ WSH (Tuesday)
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: 88
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 12
Points pace: 103
Next game: @ NJ (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: >99%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 86
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 14
Points pace: 104
Next game: vs. CHI (Monday)
Playoff chances: >99%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 11
Points pace: 94
Next game: vs. ARI (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 64%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 14
Points pace: 92
Next game: @ BUF (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 18%
Tragic number: 23
Points: 67
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 80
Next game: vs. DET (Tuesday)
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: 92
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 12
Points pace: 108
Next game: @ VAN (Tuesday)
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: 91%
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: 28%
Tragic number: 20
Points: 67
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 80
Next game: vs. VGK (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: <1%
Tragic number: 12
Points: 56
Regulation wins: 13
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 66
Next game: vs. CGY (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
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: 20
Points: 67
Regulation wins: 19
Points: 67
Regulation wins: 23
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:
BALTIMORE — Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing left Friday’s 2-1 loss to the Baltimore Orioles after fouling a pitch off his leg in the top of the sixth inning.
Rushing suffered a right lower leg contusion after he fouled off a pitch from Orioles right-hander Kade Strowd. Rushing was replaced by pinch-hitter Alex Call and then catcher Ben Rortvedt.
Starting catcher Will Smith is not available Saturday because of a right hand contusion.
Manager Dave Roberts said Rushing was in rough shape after the baseball hit the inside of his right knee. The catcher was seen on crutches in the clubhouse after the game.
“It got him pretty good,” Roberts said. “X-rays fortunately were negative. He’s going to get a CT scan tomorrow morning just to kind of dig a little deeper on it. He’s pretty banged up right now. I think until we know more, obviously he’s not going to be in there tomorrow. I guess it’s adding him to the day to day list.”
Roberts said Rortvedt will catch Saturday and the club will call up another catcher.
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Jorge Castillo
NEW YORK — The New York Yankees never publicly established a target date for Aaron Judge‘s return to right field after he sustained a right flexor strain in late July. For weeks, manager Aaron Boone said he expected Judge to patrol grass again soon — and definitely again in 2025 — but never offered specifics.
Soon ended up being Friday.
Judge started in right field in the Yankees’ 7-1 series-opening loss to the first-place Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on Friday, marking the first time he patrolled grass since July 25. He played all nine innings and did not appear to aggravate his elbow injury. But questions surrounding his ability to throw immediately surfaced as the Blue Jays extended their lead over New York in the American League East standings to four games.
With Cam Schlittler on the mound and the bases loaded with two outs, Nathan Lukes looped a single to right field that one-hopped to Judge in the first inning.
While one run easily scored from third base, Daulton Varsho, the runner at second, had not yet reached third base when Judge fielded the ball. But instead of firing the ball home, Judge made a short throw to second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. at the edge of the outfield grass in front of him. Varsho crossed home plate without a throw, giving Toronto a 3-0 lead en route to its eighth win in 11 games against the Yankees this season.
Asked if he is capable of making that throw — from the middle of right field to home plate — at this juncture, Judge insisted it’s not an issue.
“I wouldn’t be in the outfield if I wasn’t able to make that throw,” Judge said.
Boone said Judge was “in position to make the throw.” When asked why Judge didn’t, Boone did not offer an explanation.
“We’re handling it how we handle it, OK?” Boone said.
Judge was placed on the injured list on July 27 after the flexor strain left him unable to throw a baseball. He was activated after the minimum 10 days to serve as the Yankees’ every-day designated hitter and started a throwing program soon thereafter. He batted .242 with six home runs and an 0.888 OPS in the 27 games at DH after being reinstated and remains the favorite to win his third AL MVP in four seasons with Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh challenging him for the crown.
He went 1-for-3 with a walk on Friday as Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman stifled the Yankees offense over eight scoreless innings. Boone said he initially did not plan on having Judge play the outfield again on Saturday, but a decision would be made after speaking with Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, who had largely replaced Judge in the outfield before returning to his usual designated hitter role on Friday.
“Everything was feeling pretty good,” Judge said. “If you can throw, you gotta get out there.”
In the longer term, Boone said the 33-year-old Judge won’t play right field every day “initially.” Instead, he envisions Judge splitting time between right field and designated hitter, meaning Stanton will continue getting starts on defense to have both his and Judge’s bats in the lineup.
The decision comes with risks ranging from opponents testing Judge’s arm, potentially capitalizing on any reluctance to fire away, to Judge exacerbating the injury and jeopardizing his availability for the remainder of the season with the postseason a month away.
“He’s playing,” Boone said. “He’s in there. He’s in there so he’s good enough to be in there and hopefully it will continue to improve.”
The Yankees are willing to take the gamble because while Stanton remains an elite power hitter, he cannot play the outfield every day and is a defensive liability when he’s out there at this point in his career. Once a plus outfielder, nagging injuries in recent years have forced Stanton to miss substantial time and sapped his athleticism. The combination prompted the Yankees to build their roster with Stanton as their every-day DH the past two seasons.
Stanton, 35, returned to the outfield on Aug. 9, nearly two years after last playing defense. He started 12 games in right field before making three consecutive starts in left field against the Houston Astros this week.
The former National League MVP homered on Friday for the Yankees’ only run and is batting .287 with 19 home runs and an 0.987 OPS in 59 games after spending more than two months on the injured list with tendon injuries in both of his elbows to begin the season.
“There were days where we pushed it a little bit,” Boone said. “There were other days [where we were] going to be disciplined [in] having a day down. So, and I think all and all, it’s gone pretty well. Obviously, he’s performed. I think he’s done a nice job out there and now it gives us that added flexibility now that he’s in the mix out there moving forward.”
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