Connect with us

Published

2 years ago

on

7:00 AM ET

  • Tim KavanaghESPN.com

    Close

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

Entering the final week of the regular season, three teams are vying for two wild-card spots in the Eastern Conference. Heading into Monday night’s 10-game slate, the Florida Panthers have the slightest of edges as the No. 1 wild card: 91 points and 36 regulation wins in 80 games, compared to the No. 2 wild card New York Islanders (91 and 35 in 80) and Pittsburgh Penguins (90 and 31 in 80).

The Panthers don’t need to win out, but every point onward is critical. Their journey continues Monday when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+/Hulu), a team that clinched a playoff berth back on March 28 and is locked into the No. 2 seed in the Atlantic Division.

The Leafs won the first matchup in overtime (5-4 on Jan. 17), then won the second game cleanly (6-2 on March 23) before the Panthers took the most recent game in OT (3-2 on March 29).

Following Monday’s game, the Panthers will close out the season Thursday night against the Carolina Hurricanes, who may have locked up the Metro Division title by then. FiveThirtyEight’s latest projections give the Panthers a 78% chance of making the playoffs, while the Isles are at 76% and the Penguins are at 45%.

Today’s clinching scenario: The Panthers can clinch a playoff berth with a win against the Maple Leafs in regulation or overtime and a regulation loss by the Islanders against the Capitals.

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
Last night’s scores
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

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).

Dallas Stars at Detroit Red Wings, 7 p.m.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Florida Panthers, 7 p.m. (ESPN+/Hulu)
Buffalo Sabres at New York Rangers, 7 p.m.
Carolina Hurricanes at Ottawa Senators, 7 p.m.
New York Islanders at Washington Capitals, 7 p.m.
San Jose Sharks at Winnipeg Jets, 7 p.m.
Minnesota Wild at Chicago Blackhawks, 9 p.m. (ESPN)
Nashville Predators at Calgary Flames, 9:30 p.m.
Seattle Kraken at Arizona Coyotes, 10 p.m.
Vancouver Canucks at Los Angeles Kings, 10:30 p.m.

Sunday’s scoreboard

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

Boston Bruins 5, Philadelphia Flyers 3
Colorado Avalanche 5, Anaheim Ducks 4 (OT)

Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

Points: 131
Regulation wins: 52
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 2
Points pace: 134
Next game: vs. WSH (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 105
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 3
Points pace: 109
Next game: @ FLA (Monday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 96
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 2
Points pace: 98
Next game: vs. TOR (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 91
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 2
Points pace: 93
Next game: vs. TOR (Monday)
Playoff chances: 78%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 85
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 89
Next game: @ NYR (Monday)
Playoff chances: <1%
Tragic number: 2

Points: 83
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 85
Next game: vs. CAR (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 83
Next game: vs. DAL (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 70
Next game: @ NYI (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Metropolitan Division

Points: 109
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 3
Points pace: 113
Next game: @ OTT (Monday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 108
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 2
Points pace: 111
Next game: vs. BUF (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 106
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 2
Points pace: 109
Next game: vs. BUF (Monday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 91
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 2
Points pace: 93
Next game: @ WSH (Monday)
Playoff chances: 76%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 90
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 92
Next game: vs. CHI (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 45%
Tragic number: 3

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 80
Next game: vs. NYI (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 73
Next game: vs. CBJ (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 56
Regulation wins: 15
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 58
Next game: @ PHI (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Central Division

Points: 104
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 3
Points pace: 108
Next game: vs. EDM (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 102
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 3
Points pace: 106
Next game: @ DET (Monday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 100
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 3
Points pace: 104
Next game: @ CHI (Monday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 91
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 3
Points pace: 95
Next game: vs. SJ (Monday)
Playoff chances: 77%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 88
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 91
Next game: @ CGY (Monday)
Playoff chances: 5%
Tragic number: 3

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 83
Next game: vs. DAL (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 71
Next game: vs. SEA (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 56
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 58
Next game: vs. MIN (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Pacific Division

Points: 107
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 2
Points pace: 110
Next game: vs. SEA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 105
Regulation wins: 44
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 2
Points pace: 108
Next game: @ COL (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 100
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 2
Points pace: 103
Next game: vs. VAN (Monday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 98
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 3
Points pace: 102
Next game: @ ARI (Monday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 90
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 92
Next game: vs. NSH (Monday)
Playoff chances: 19%
Tragic number: 3

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 82
Next game: @ LA (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 60
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 62
Next game: @ WPG (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 13
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 60
Next game: vs. VAN (Tuesday)
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: 15

Points: 56
Regulation wins: 17

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 13

Points: 60
Regulation wins: 16

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 21

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 20

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 26

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 26

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 23

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 28

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 27

Points: 83
Regulation wins: 30

Points: 85
Regulation wins: 29

Points: 88
Regulation wins: 29

Points: 90
Regulation wins: 30

Points: 90
Regulation wins: 31

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Sports

Deion eyes QBs, not ceremony, in CU spring game

Published

1 hour ago

on

April 20, 2025

By

Deion eyes QBs, not ceremony, in CU spring game

  • ESPN News Services

Apr 19, 2025, 08:52 PM ET

BOULDER, Colo. — Deion Sanders didn’t get a chance to fully enjoy the moment as his son, Shedeur, and his just-like-a-son, Travis Hunter, had their jerseys retired Saturday before the spring game.

The Colorado coach had too many other obligations — checking out his new QBs, watching special teams and making sure the product was entertaining for a national television audience tuning in.

He was appreciative of the moment, though, even if the jersey retirement has rankled some former Colorado players and fans.

“I looked in both of their eyes — I know [Shedeur and Travis] were pleased, they were thankful, and they were proud,” Deion Sanders said. “That means a lot to me.

“The time frame, nobody’s going to be happy with. Somebody’s always going have something to say. But the way we are right now, we are a now generation. … those guys deserve what they deserve right now. So I’m proud of them.”

It was one of the last times that Hunter and Shedeur Sanders will team up on the turf at Folsom Field. Standing at midfield, they watched their retired jersey numbers — No. 2 for Sanders, No. 12 for Hunter — unveiled on the east face of the stadium.

This kicked off a busy week for Hunter, the Heisman Trophy winner, and Sanders, the Johnny Unitas Award winner as college football’s top QB. Both are expected to be high draft picks when the NFL draft starts on Thursday.

Once the retired ceremony concluded, the Buffaloes got down to the business of football.

Namely, finding a successor for Shedeur Sanders.

It figures to be a two-QB race between Kaidon Salter, a transfer from Liberty, and Julian “JuJu” Lewis, the five-star recruit who arrived on campus last fall to get an early start.

Lewis was the first to take the field and there were early jitters. He mixed the pass with the run, which will be a familiar sight as Colorado emphasizes the ground game this season now that the younger Sanders is gone. The Buffaloes brought in Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk as the running backs coach to provide a spark.

“He’s still a young man,” Deion Sanders said of Lewis. “We don’t care about the age and the stage, though.”

Salter showed a veteran’s poise when it was his turn. The dual-threat QB threw for 56 TDs at Liberty and ran for 21 scores.

“I fell in love with the offense,” Salter said of why he chose Colorado. “We have a fully loaded staff here that knows what it takes to get to the next level.”

Shedeur Sanders sauntered along the sideline, taking in the action of his heirs apparent, Lewis and Salter. Looking on as well was Hunter.

Sanders and Hunter became the fifth and sixth players in Colorado’s 135-year history to have their jerseys retired.

At halftime, the Buffaloes announced the late coach Bill McCartney would be honored next season with a statue. McCartney, who led the program to its only football national championship in 1990, died in January at 84.

Deion Sanders said he only wishes the tribute came earlier.

“Why are we waiting? Wouldn’t (McCartney) have wanted him to see (it), to be involved in it, to feel it, to feel the love, the respect, the appreciation? Why’d we wait?” asked Sanders, who plans to honor McCartney next fall by donning a similar hat and jacket as the Hall of Fame coach used to wear. “Everything we get is right now. We want something, we order it off Amazon — right now. We’re not a … waiting generation no more. That’s over. That’s a wrap on that. Everybody in here is impatient. You download stuff right now, putting it out as I speak. Let’s stop.

“I’m sad because I wanted him to see that. He can’t see that.”

Bring on Syracuse?

The attendance was announced at 20,430 fans, which was down from the previous two spring games. Sanders thinks the NCAA nixing a plan to play Syracuse hurt ticket sales. Still, he wants to see more seats filled.

“We do have a tremendous fan base, but we need a little more support when it comes to whatever we do inside the stadium,” Sanders said. “We should be packing it like it’s a game.”

Walk-on honored

Walk-on safety Ben Finneseth was awarded a scholarship by Sanders.

“As soon as I put my head in his shoulder, I said, ‘Thank you for believing in me.’ Because he’s believed in me since Day 1,” Finneseth said. “I can’t thank everyone enough for giving me the opportunity.”

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Continue Reading

Sports

Sources: Sooners DT Stone hits transfer portal

Published

1 hour ago

on

April 20, 2025

By

Sources: Sooners DT Stone hits transfer portal

  • Max OlsonApr 18, 2025, 10:22 PM ET

    Close

    • Covers the Big 12
    • Joined ESPN in 2012
    • Graduate of the University of Nebraska

Oklahoma defensive tackle David Stone entered the NCAA transfer portal Friday, sources told ESPN.

Stone, a former five-star recruit and the No. 6 overall player in the ESPN 300 for the 2024 class, made the surprising decision to enter the portal after playing in all 13 games as a true freshman with the Sooners. The 6-foot-3 313-pounder saw limited playing time, playing 88 snaps and recording 6 tackles, 2 tackles for loss and 1 sack.

Stone was expected to compete for a more significant role as a sophomore, and Oklahoma coach Brent Venables recently praised him as the Sooners’ most improved defensive tackle this offseason.

The Oklahoma native finished his high school career at IMG Academy in Florida and was a significant recruiting victory for Venables and his coaching staff in August 2023. Stone chose the Sooners over Texas A&M, Oregon, Florida, Miami and Michigan State.

The SEC does not grant immediate eligibility to players who transfer within the conference during the spring transfer window, so Stone would need to sit out the 2025 season if he moves on to another SEC program.

Oklahoma returns its top three defensive tackles from 2024 in Damonic Williams, Gracen Halton and Jayden Jackson. It also added Trent Wilson, the No. 164 recruit in the ESPN 300 for 2025, as an early enrollee this spring.

Continue Reading

Sports

QB Browne returns to Purdue after brief UNC stint

Published

1 hour ago

on

April 20, 2025

By

QB Browne returns to Purdue after brief UNC stint

  • Max OlsonApr 18, 2025, 10:00 PM ET

    Close

    • Covers the Big 12
    • Joined ESPN in 2012
    • Graduate of the University of Nebraska

Quarterback Ryan Browne has decided to transfer back to Purdue after joining North Carolina earlier this offseason.

Browne committed to rejoining the Boilermakers on Friday after entering his name in the NCAA transfer portal Wednesday.

The 6-foot-4, 210-pound redshirt sophomore started two games for Purdue in 2024 but moved on amid the program’s head coaching change and went through spring practice under new Tar Heels coach Bill Belichick.

North Carolina landed a commitment from South Alabama transfer quarterback Gio Lopez on Thursday.

Browne and freshman Bryce Baker were North Carolina’s lone scholarship quarterbacks available for spring practice and were competing with three walk-ons while sixth-year senior Max Johnson recovers from a broken leg.

Browne threw for 636 yards, rushed for 240 yards and scored four touchdowns while appearing in nine games as Hudson Card’s backup over the past two seasons at Purdue, earning starts in losses to Illinois and Oregon.

By returning to West Lafayette, Browne will get an opportunity to compete for a starting job with Arkansas transfer Malachi Singleton, Washington State transfer Evans Chuba and Bennett Meredith, a former Arizona State transfer.

The Boilermakers lost one quarterback, EJ Colson, to the transfer portal earlier this week.

Continue Reading

Trending