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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.

Back on March 16, we considered the wild-card playoff chances of the Nashville Predators. At the time, they were four points behind the Winnipeg Jets and six points behind the Seattle Kraken.

Two and a half weeks later, the Preds are five points behind the Jets, and eight points behind the Kraken, and now there is clearly much less time to make up that ground.

If they are going to make a dramatic run into the postseason, their game tonight is close to a must-win. They’ll host the Vegas Golden Knights (8 p.m. ET, ESPN), while rooting for the Vancouver Canucks against the Kraken (10 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+). It gets complicated on Wednesday, as the Jets will host the Calgary Flames (7:30 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+), a team that stands between the Preds and the two wild-card spots currently.

As of now, the Preds’ playoff chances sit at 4%. Those aren’t too high, but they’re not 0% either. A win tonight would surely boost them.

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

Tuesday’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).

Ottawa Senators at Carolina Hurricanes, 7 p.m.
Buffalo Sabres at Florida Panthers, 7 p.m.
Detroit Red Wings at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m.
Pittsburgh Penguins at New Jersey Devils, 7 p.m.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m.
Vegas Golden Knights at Nashville Predators, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
Philadelphia Flyers at St. Louis Blues, 8 p.m.
Chicago Blackhawks at Calgary Flames, 9 p.m.
Seattle Kraken at Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m.
Edmonton Oilers at Los Angeles Kings, 10:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Colorado Avalanche at San Jose Sharks, 10:30 p.m.

Monday’s scoreboard

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

Vegas Golden Knights 4, Minnesota Wild 3 (SO)
Dallas Stars 5, Nashville Predators 1
Seattle Kraken 8, Arizona Coyotes 1

Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

Points: 125
Regulation wins: 50
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 5
Points pace: 133
Next game: vs. TOR (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 100
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 6
Points pace: 108
Next game: vs. CBJ (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 96
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 5
Points pace: 102
Next game: @ NYR (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 85
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 5
Points pace: 91
Next game: vs. BUF (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 57%
Tragic number: 10

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 89
Next game: @ FLA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 8%
Tragic number: 10

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 5
Points pace: 85
Next game: @ CAR (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: <1%
Tragic number: 5

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 83
Next game: @ MTL (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: <1%
Tragic number: 4

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 5
Points pace: 70
Next game: vs. DET (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Metropolitan Division

Points: 107
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 6
Points pace: 116
Next game: vs. OTT (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 104
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 5
Points pace: 111
Next game: vs. PIT (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 101
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 5
Points pace: 108
Next game: vs. TB (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 4
Points pace: 92
Next game: vs. TB (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 72%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 86
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 5
Points pace: 92
Next game: @ NJ (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 62%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 5
Points pace: 82
Next game: @ MTL (Thursday)
Playoff chances: <1%
Tragic number: 2

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 77
Next game: @ STL (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 56
Regulation wins: 15
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 60
Next game: @ TOR (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Central Division

Points: 98
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 5
Points pace: 104
Next game: vs. PHI (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 98
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 5
Points pace: 104
Next game: @ PIT (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 96
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 7
Points pace: 105
Next game: @ SJ (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: >99%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 89
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 5
Points pace: 95
Next game: vs. CGY (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 69%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 84
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 91
Next game: vs. VGK (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 4%
Tragic number: 8

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 5
Points pace: 82
Next game: vs. PHI (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 70
Next game: @ SEA (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 54
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 58
Next game: @ CGY (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Pacific Division

Points: 103
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 5
Points pace: 110
Next game: @ NSH (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 100
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 5
Points pace: 107
Next game: vs. EDM (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 99
Regulation wins: 41
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 5
Points pace: 105
Next game: @ LA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 92
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 6
Points pace: 99
Next game: @ VAN (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: >99%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 5
Points pace: 93
Next game: vs. CHI (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 27%
Tragic number: 9

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 81
Next game: vs. SEA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 59
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 64
Next game: vs. COL (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 56
Regulation wins: 13
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 5
Points pace: 60
Next game: vs. EDM (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

P — Clinched Presidents’ Trophy; Y — Clinched division; 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 can 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: 54
Regulation wins: 16

Points: 56
Regulation wins: 13

Points: 56
Regulation wins: 15

Points: 59
Regulation wins: 16

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 20

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 20

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 26

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 22

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 26

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 26

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 27

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 29

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 28

Points: 84
Regulation wins: 28

Points: 85
Regulation wins: 33

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 29

*Notes on traded picks impacting the top 16:

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Sources: Vols moving on from QB Iamaleava

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April 12, 2025

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Sources: Vols moving on from QB Iamaleava

Tennessee is moving on from starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava, sources told ESPN, in the wake of his decision to not attend practice on Friday amid NIL contract discussions with the school.

Tennessee coach Josh Heupel informed the team at meetings Saturday morning. Tennessee plays its spring game Saturday afternoon. Sources said Iamaleava missing practice Friday proved to be the tipping point.

The standoff between the two sides stemmed from Iamaleava’s contract, and the school decided to cut ties after those talks emerged publicly this week and Iamaleava subsequently skipped practice.

Iamaleava just completed his redshirt freshman season, which means he would have three seasons remaining at his next destination. The spring transfer portal opens Wednesday, and he is expected to be the most notable player available.

Iamaleava showed promise his first year as a starter, leading Tennessee to the College Football Playoff and a 10-3 season. He threw for 2,616 yards, 19 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. He completed 63.8% of his passes.

The Vols’ offense finished No. 9 in the 16-team SEC in scoring offense last year in league play, and he was the league’s No. 10 quarterback in passing yards per game (200.6).

The move puts both Tennessee and Iamaleava in difficult situations heading into the 2025 season. Iamaleava’s departure leaves Tennessee with just two scholarship quarterbacks, neither of whom has started a college game, so there are going to be inevitable additions.

One factor looming over both sides is that SEC rules prohibit transferring within the conference in the spring if the player desires immediate eligibility. That means Iamaleava can’t go to an SEC school and no quarterback on an SEC roster can go to Tennessee if they hope to play in 2025.

Per ESPN sources, officials from Tennessee’s collective have already begun reaching out to third parties tied to potential Iamaleava replacements for 2025.

With Iamaleava’s future uncertain, collective officials began to make calls Friday to see what the potential market could look like. One quarterback got more money from his school Friday after Tennessee’s collective called third-party officials tied to him, a source told ESPN.

This move puts redshirt freshman backup quarterback Jake Merklinger in the driver’s seat to be Tennessee’s starter next year. It’s difficult, though not impossible, for a college quarterback to come in, learn the offense and win the starting job in summer camp. True freshman George MacIntyre is the backup, and Tennessee has a top-10 recruit in the Class of 2026, Faizon Brandon, committed. He is a five-star who is ESPN’s No. 3 overall quarterback.

The market for Iamaleava will be a fascinating one, especially if he’s seeking the same amount of money (in the mid-$2 million range). While there is available money in the system the next few months before the era of revenue share is codified, it’s difficult for a program to bring in a quarterback transfer with high-priced NIL demands in the late spring portal.

It not only is potentially disruptive for the current quarterback room, but it also could disrupt the locker room. Also, many schools have their quarterback salaries structured for 2025.

The move to cut ties with Iamaleava has unfolded as classic tale of modern college football, as Iamaleava arrived at the school with a historic contract reported to be worth more than $8 million over the life of the deal.

He now leaves both Tennessee’s quarterback room and his own future shrouded in uncertainty.

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QB Sullivan enters portal after 1 season at Iowa

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April 12, 2025

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QB Sullivan enters portal after 1 season at Iowa

  • Adam RittenbergApr 11, 2025, 08:58 PM ET

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      College football reporter; joined ESPN in 2008. Graduate of Northwestern University.

Quarterback Brendan Sullivan, who started games midway through the 2024 season for Iowa, entered the transfer portal Friday.

In a social media post, Sullivan said he “loved and enjoyed every second” he spent with the Hawkeyes but opted to enter the portal in his “best interest.”

Sullivan, who transferred to Iowa from Northwestern last spring, took over for Cade McNamara midway through a game against his former team and then started the next two games against Wisconsin and UCLA. After missing two games with an ankle injury, he returned to start the Hawkeyes’ 27-24 loss to Missouri in the Music City Bowl.

In January, Iowa added quarterback transfer Mark Gronowski, who won 49 games and an FCS national title at South Dakota State. Gronowski underwent offseason shoulder surgery and has not participated in the Hawkeyes’ spring practices. He told reporters Thursday that he’s ahead of schedule in his recovery and has started to throw passes with the goal of being 100% by June 1.

Iowa also added Hank Brown, a transfer from Auburn who made two starts in 2024.

A native of Davison, Michigan, Sullivan completed 38 of 53 passes for 475 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions, while adding 150 rushing yards and four touchdowns for the Hawkeyes. He started games for Northwestern in both the 2022 and 2023 seasons, recording 10 touchdowns and five interceptions, but transferred after falling behind Jack Lausch on the spring depth chart.

Sullivan redshirted in 2021 and has one year of eligibility left.

“Someone is gonna get a great dude and a hell of a competitor in Sully!” Iowa general manager Tyler Barnes posted on X.

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Hall of Fame DE Freeney joining Syracuse staff

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April 12, 2025

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Hall of Fame DE Freeney joining Syracuse staff

  • Andrea AdelsonApr 11, 2025, 03:41 PM ET

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    • ACC reporter.
    • Joined ESPN.com in 2010.
    • Graduate of the University of Florida.

Pro Football Hall of Famer and Syracuse alum Dwight Freeney has joined the Orange staff in player development, the school announced Friday.

Freeney played defensive end at Syracuse from 1998 to 2001, totaling 34 sacks before becoming a first-round pick of the Indianapolis Colts in 2002. He spent 16 seasons in the NFL, becoming one of the greatest pass rushers of all time.

In 2024, Freeney was inducted into the Hall of Fame. He had his No. 54 jersey retired at Syracuse later that same year.

“The time is now,” Freeney said in a statement. “I think that Syracuse has a lot of good things going. A great foundation and I think they need a push to be able to maintain and exceed that — that is what I hope I’m able to do. My schedule is now a lot freer than it has been in years past, so I’ll be able to help however is needed and in whatever way I can.”

Syracuse went 10-3 last year in the first season under coach Fran Brown.

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