NHL playoff watch: What’s at stake on 16-game Saturday
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Tim KavanaghESPN.com
There were zero games last night, so the NHL is making up for it today with a 16-game slate, including a tripleheader on the ABC/ESPN+ Hockey Saturday docket: Pittsburgh Penguins–Detroit Red Wings (1 p.m. ET), Vegas Golden Knights–Dallas Stars (3:30 p.m. ET) and New Jersey Devils–Boston Bruins (8 p.m. ET).
All three of those games have playoff implications — and the nightcap could see the Bruins tie the all-time NHL record for regular-season wins — but those are not the only three games we’ll be monitoring.
Metro division
The Carolina Hurricanes visit the Buffalo Sabres, sitting one point ahead of the Devils for the No. 1 seed in the Metro. The winner gets the Florida Panthers, New York Islanders or Penguins, depending upon how that race shakes out. The No. 2 seed in the Metro draws the New York Rangers in Round 1.
Eastern wild cards
The Panthers (89 points, 35 regulation wins in 79 games) and Islanders (89 and 34 in 79) hold a slight edge over the Penguins (88 and 30 in 79). The Pens play the early-afternoon ABC game, while the Panthers will visit the Washington Capitals (7 ET) and the Isles host the Philadelphia Flyers (7:30 ET). Obviously, every point is critical to these three clubs.
Central division
It’s a multiteam mosh pit at the top of this division, with the Colorado Avalanche (100 points, 33 regulation wins in 77 games) ahead of the Dallas Stars (100 and 36 in 78) and Minnesota Wild (98 and 32 in 78). The non-Dallas teams will know the result of the Stars’ game by puck drop of theirs; the Wild host the St. Louis Blues (8 ET) while the Avs will head to SoCal to play the Los Angeles Kings (10:30 ET). The winner of the Central’s No. 1 seed will likely get the first wild card, which is looking more and more like it’ll be the Seattle Kraken.
Western wild cards
Speaking of the Kraken, they clinched a playoff spot on Thursday night and are seven points ahead of the Winnipeg Jets for the No. 1 wild card. The Jets are in a dogfight with the Calgary Flames for that second wild card: the clubs both have 89 points, while the Jets hold a 33-30 edge in regulation wins (and have a game in hand). And oh yeah, the Nashville Predators are also still in the mix, with 88 points and 29 regulation wins in 78 games. The Kraken host the Chicago Blackhawks (10 ET), the Predators visit the Jets (7 ET) and the Flames visit the Vancouver Canucks (10 ET).
Pacific division
The Knights hold the lead, with 106 points and 36 regulation wins heading into their game against Dallas. The Edmonton Oilers (103 points, 43 RW) visit the San Jose Sharks (4 ET), and the Kings will host the Avs. The winner of this division will likely take on the No. 2 wild card in the West; as noted in the prior section there are many teams still in the mix for that honor.
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 schedule
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick
Current playoff matchups
Eastern Conference
A1 Boston Bruins vs. WC2 New York Islanders
A2 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. A3 Tampa Bay Lightning
M1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. WC1 Florida Panthers
M2 New Jersey Devils vs. M3 New York Rangers
Western Conference
C1 Colorado Avalanche vs. WC1 Seattle Kraken
C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Minnesota Wild
P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC2 Winnipeg Jets
P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings
Saturday’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).
Carolina Hurricanes at Buffalo Sabres, 12:30 p.m.
Pittsburgh Penguins at Detroit Red Wings, 1 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)
Vegas Golden Knights at Dallas Stars, 3:30 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)
Edmonton Oilers at San Jose Sharks, 4 p.m.
Anaheim Ducks at Arizona Coyotes, 5:30 p.m.
New York Rangers at Columbus Blue Jackets, 7 p.m.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Ottawa Senators, 7 p.m.
Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m.
Florida Panthers at Washington Capitals, 7 p.m.
Nashville Predators at Winnipeg Jets, 7 p.m.
Philadelphia Flyers at New York Islanders, 7:30 p.m.
New Jersey Devils at Boston Bruins, 8 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)
St. Louis Blues at Minnesota Wild, 8 p.m.
Chicago Blackhawks at Seattle Kraken, 10 p.m.
Calgary Flames at Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m.
Colorado Avalanche at Los Angeles Kings, 10:30 p.m.
Expanded standings
Atlantic Division
Points: 127
Regulation wins: 50
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 4
Points pace: 134
Next game: vs. NJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 103
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 4
Points pace: 108
Next game: vs. MTL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 96
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 3
Points pace: 100
Next game: @ OTT (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 89
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 3
Points pace: 92
Next game: @ WSH (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 74%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 83
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 5
Points pace: 88
Next game: vs. CAR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 2%
Tragic number: 4
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 84
Next game: vs. TB (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Points: 80
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 84
Next game: vs. PIT (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 71
Next game: @ TOR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Metropolitan Division
Points: 109
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 4
Points pace: 115
Next game: @ BUF (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 108
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 3
Points pace: 112
Next game: @ BOS (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 104
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 3
Points pace: 108
Next game: @ CBJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 89
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 3
Points pace: 92
Next game: vs. PHI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 80%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 88
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 91
Next game: @ DET (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 44%
Tragic number: 5
Points: 77
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 81
Next game: vs. FLA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Points: 71
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 75
Next game: @ NYI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Points: 56
Regulation wins: 15
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 59
Next game: vs. NYR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Central Division
Points: 100
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 5
Points pace: 107
Next game: @ LA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 100
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 4
Points pace: 105
Next game: vs. VGK (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 98
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 4
Points pace: 103
Next game: vs. STL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 89
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 4
Points pace: 94
Next game: vs. NSH (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 55%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 88
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 93
Next game: @ WPG (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 20%
Tragic number: 7
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 84
Next game: @ MIN (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Points: 67
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 70
Next game: vs. ANA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Points: 56
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 59
Next game: @ SEA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Pacific Division
Points: 106
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 3
Points pace: 110
Next game: @ DAL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 103
Regulation wins: 43
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 3
Points pace: 107
Next game: @ SJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 100
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 3
Points pace: 104
Next game: vs. COL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 96
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 4
Points pace: 101
Next game: vs. CHI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 89
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 92
Next game: @ VAN (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 25%
Tragic number: 6
Points: 77
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 81
Next game: vs. CGY (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Points: 60
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 63
Next game: vs. EDM (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Points: 56
Regulation wins: 13
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 59
Next game: @ ARI (Saturday)
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: 56
Regulation wins: 13
Points: 56
Regulation wins: 15
Points: 56
Regulation wins: 17
Points: 60
Regulation wins: 16
Points: 67
Regulation wins: 20
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 21
Points: 71
Regulation wins: 26
Points: 77
Regulation wins: 23
Points: 77
Regulation wins: 26
Points: 80
Regulation wins: 28
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 27
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 29
Points: 83
Regulation wins: 28
Points: 88
Regulation wins: 29
Points: 88
Regulation wins: 30
Points: 89
Regulation wins: 30
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Paolo Uggetti, ESPN
USC wide receiver Makai Lemon exited Saturday’s 27-24 loss to Michigan with an apparent injury after he was hit hard during a punt return in the first half.
Lemon did not return to the game, and according to the CBS broadcast, he was taken away in an ambulance. USC did not provide an official update on Lemon’s status before the end of the game.
The sophomore wideout spent an extended amount of time lying down on the field after the injury while surrounded by several members of USC’s training and coaching staff before walking off under his own power. He entered the injury tent and then was taken into the locker room.
Tight end Lake McRee also exited the game in the second half with an apparent left leg injury. The broadcast showed McRee visibly emotional on the bench before he walked into the tunnel to the locker room.
McRee has been a mainstay of USC’s offense early on, accounting for 137 yards on nine receptions so far this season.
Lemon has caught four passes for 45 yards and a touchdown for USC this season. Last year, Lemon played both wide receiver and cornerback. As a receiver, Lemon had six catches for 88 yards.
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Jake Trotter, ESPN Senior Writer
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan star tight end Colston Loveland has been ruled out of Saturday’s game against No. 11 USC with an undisclosed injury.
Loveland suffered an apparent shoulder injury in last weekend’s win over Arkansas State. Michigan coach Sherrone Moore hasn’t specified the nature of the injury.
A preseason All-American, Loveland leads the Wolverines with 19 catches for 187 yards; no other Michigan pass catcher has more than nine receptions.
The No. 18 Wolverines also changed starting quarterbacks this week, moving from Davis Warren to Alex Orji. Warren had thrown six interceptions in three games, including three last weekend. He threw two picks in a 31-12 loss to Texas on Sept. 7.
Orji has only seven career passing attempts but has rushed for 58 yards in a relief role this season.
Moore said this week that he wants to see Orji “take the reins” of the Michigan offense with his opportunity.
“Excited for him,” Moore said. “I know he’s chomping at the bit.”
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Jeff Passan, ESPN
The Washington Nationals demoted All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams to the minor leagues after he stayed out all night at a Chicago-area casino, leaving only hours before a Friday day game against the Chicago Cubs, sources told ESPN’s Jesse Rogers.
The 23-year-old Abrams led off for the Nationals and went 0 for 3 with a walk and strikeout in Friday’s game, which started at 1 p.m. CT. He was informed of the demotion Friday night, sources said. He will be sent to West Palm Beach, home of the Nationals’ minor league complex.
Because Abrams has been with Washington for the entirety of the season, the demotion will not affect his service time. Players earn a full year of service with 172 days on the major league roster, and Abrams already has exceeded that threshold.
Abrams could, however, file a grievance through the Major League Baseball Players Association to fight for lost pay if he believes the demotion unjust. He would lose around $30,000 of his $752,000 salary for missing the season’s final week. Abrams will be arbitration-eligible this winter, entering the system for the first of four times as a Super 2.
Acquired as one of the centerpieces of the Juan Soto trade two years ago, Abrams parlayed a breakout first-half into an All-Star selection, hitting .268/.343/.489 with 15 home runs and 15 stolen bases over the Nationals’ first 89 games. He struggled significantly in the second half, slashing .203/.260/.326, and Abrams’ defense has been a weakness throughout the season.
Still, the Nationals did not intend to send him to the minor leagues until they learned of his time spent at the casino, which was first reported Friday by CHGO.
“I just want it to be known it wasn’t performance-based,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez told reporters Saturday. “It’s an internal issue. I’m not going to give specifics.”
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