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  • Tim Kavanagh, ESPN.comMar 9, 2024, 11:08 AM ET

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

The 2024 NHL trade deadline passed on Friday afternoon. For those who might’ve missed anything, our reporters identified the winners and losers and also graded 23 of the biggest moves this trade season. But now that there will be no more deals, it’s time for the rush to the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs to begin in earnest.

Taking a look at the current standings, Saturday’s schedule presents some captivating clashes as the contenders are sorted from the teams that will ultimately be in the draft lottery mix.

One team that might believe it’s unjustifiably in an unfortunate position is the New Jersey Devils, a juggernaut from last season that is six points back of the Eastern Conference wild card with two teams to jump, as well. The Devils will square off against the Carolina Hurricanes (12:30 p.m. ET, ABC and ESPN+) as every single point matters from here on out. The Devils fired coach Lindy Ruff earlier this week, then traded winger Tyler Toffoli and defenseman Colin Miller to the Winnipeg Jets before completely remaking their goaltending depth by acquiring Jake Allen and Kaapo Kahkonen on Friday. Is it too late for them to mount a run?

Out West, the Calgary Flames — also six points back of a wild-card spot — were busy sending players elsewhere during trade season. Elias Lindholm (dealt ahead of the All-Star Game), Chris Tanev and Noah Hanifin are out — but the team did retain goaltender Jacob Markstrom, and the Flames have gone 6-4-0 in their past 10 games to maintain their spot in the race. They’ll visit the Florida Panthers (4 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+), who added some tantalizing players ahead of the deadline to a team that looks as strong as any.

The Philadelphia Flyers are trying to thread the needle of staying in the playoff picture (they are currently third in the Metropolitan Division) while also building for the future. Their moves this week reflected that situation, and tonight they’ll take on the Tampa Bay Lightning (7 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+), who are trying to extend their own playoff streak and added Anthony Duclair and Matt Dumba as depth.

And in one of the nightcaps, the Jets will face off against the Vancouver Canucks (10 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+) in a possible Western Conference finals preview. The Canucks made their biggest moves early, while the Jets waited to strike on Toffoli and Miller after adding Sean Monahan in early February.

As we enter the final stretch of the regular season, it’s time to check in on all the playoff races — along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2024 NHL draft lottery.

Note: Playoff chances are via Stathletes.

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 Florida Panthers vs. WC2 Tampa Bay Lightning
A2 Boston Bruins vs. A3 Toronto Maple Leafs
M1 New York Rangers vs. WC1 Detroit Red Wings
M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 Philadelphia Flyers

Western Conference

C1 Dallas Stars vs. WC2 Vegas Golden Knights
C2 Winnipeg Jets vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche
P1 Vancouver Canucks vs. WC1 Nashville Predators
P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings

Saturday’s games

Note: All times Eastern. All games not on TNT or NHL Network are available via NHL Power Play, which is included in an ESPN+ subscription (local blackout restrictions apply).

Edmonton Oilers at Buffalo Sabres, 12:30 p.m.
Carolina Hurricanes at New Jersey Devils, 12:30 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)
Nashville Predators at Columbus Blue Jackets, 12:30 p.m.
Pittsburgh Penguins at Boston Bruins, 3 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)
Calgary Flames at Florida Panthers, 4 p.m.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m. (NHLN)
Philadelphia Flyers at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7 p.m.
Chicago Blackhawks at Washington Capitals, 7 p.m.
Ottawa Senators at San Jose Sharks, 7 p.m.
St. Louis Blues at New York Rangers, 7:30 p.m.
Winnipeg Jets at Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m.
Detroit Red Wings at Vegas Golden Knights, 10 p.m.
Dallas Stars at Los Angeles Kings, 10:30 p.m.

Friday’s scoreboard

Colorado Avalanche 2, Minnesota Wild 1 (OT)
Arizona Coyotes 4, Detroit Red Wings 0
Dallas Stars 6, Anaheim Ducks 2
Winnipeg Jets 3, Seattle Kraken 0

Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

Points: 90
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 18
Points pace: 115
Next game: vs. CGY (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 89
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 17
Points pace: 112
Next game: vs. PIT (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 19
Points pace: 104
Next game: @ MTL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.3%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 19
Points pace: 94
Next game: @ VGK (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 36.3%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 18
Points pace: 92
Next game: vs. PHI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 77.8%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 63
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 81
Next game: vs. EDM (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 1.5%
Tragic number: 27

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 76
Next game: vs. TOR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 24

Points: 54
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 21
Points pace: 73
Next game: @ SJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 24

Metropolitan Division

Points: 84
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 20
Points pace: 111
Next game: vs. STL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 20
Points pace: 106
Next game: @ NJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 18
Points pace: 95
Next game: @ TB (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 74.2%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 20
Points pace: 93
Next game: @ ANA (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 61.8%
Tragic number: 38

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 21
Points pace: 90
Next game: vs. CHI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 32.8%
Tragic number: 37

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 86
Next game: vs. CAR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 13.3%
Tragic number: 32

Points: 64
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 21
Points pace: 86
Next game: @ BOS (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 3.1%
Tragic number: 34

Points: 54
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 70
Next game: vs. NSH (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 20

Central Division

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 17
Points pace: 110
Next game: @ LA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 85
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 20
Points pace: 112
Next game: @ VAN (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 85
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 17
Points pace: 107
Next game: @ CGY (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 18
Points pace: 96
Next game: @ CBJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 77.5%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 87
Next game: @ NYR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 2.1%
Tragic number: 32

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 86
Next game: vs. NSH (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 12.2%
Tragic number: 30

Points: 57
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 73
Next game: @ CHI (Sunday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 20

Points: 37
Regulation wins: 11
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 48
Next game: @ WSH (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 2

Pacific Division

Points: 89
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 17
Points pace: 112
Next game: vs. WPG (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 21
Points pace: 105
Next game: @ BUF (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 20
Points pace: 99
Next game: vs. DAL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 93.3%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 19
Points pace: 95
Next game: vs. DET (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 76.6%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 20
Points pace: 89
Next game: @ FLA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 24.1%
Tragic number: 34

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 87
Next game: vs. VGK (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 14.3%
Tragic number: 32

Points: 49
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 64
Next game: vs. NYI (Sunday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 14

Points: 37
Regulation wins: 11
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 20
Points pace: 49
Next game: vs. OTT (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 4

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 Macklin Celebrini, a freshman at Boston University.

Points: 37
Regulation wins: 11

Points: 37
Regulation wins: 11

Points: 49
Regulation wins: 17

Points: 54
Regulation wins: 19

Points: 54
Regulation wins: 17

Points: 57
Regulation wins: 21

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 14

Points: 63
Regulation wins: 24

Points: 64
Regulation wins: 23

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 26

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 23

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 26

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 24

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 22

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 24

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 20

* The Penguins’ first-round pick was traded to the Sharks as part of the Erik Karlsson trade. However, it is top-10 protected.

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Jones, ex-Huskers star and NFL RB, dies at 54

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January 24, 2025

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Jones, ex-Huskers star and NFL RB, dies at 54

  • Associated Press

Jan 24, 2025, 11:20 AM ET

OMAHA, Neb. — Calvin Jones, who rushed for more than 3,000 yards in three seasons at Nebraska and was with the Green Bay Packers when they won the Super Bowl after the 1996 season, has died. He was 54.

Police said Jones’ body was found in the basement of a house in north Omaha on Wednesday night. Police have not confirmed a cause of death pending an autopsy.

A friend of Jones, Jo Dusatko, told the Omaha World-Herald that carbon monoxide poisoning was suspected. She said the furnace in the home was not working and that Jones was using a generator in the basement.

Jones was a high school All-American at Central High School before he went to Nebraska, where he rushed for 3,166 yards and 40 touchdowns and was an All-Big Eight pick in 1992-93.

Jones and Derek Brown formed the tandem called the “We-Backs,” a nod to the Cornhuskers’ I-back position, with Jones the backup to Brown in 1991. Jones’ breakout that season came when he ran 27 times for a Big Eight freshman-record 294 yards and a school-record six touchdowns in a 59-23 victory over Kansas. His rushing total against the Jayhawks ranks No. 2 on the Nebraska single-game rushing chart.

Jones declared for the NFL draft in 1994 and was a third-round selection of the Raiders. He appeared in 15 games over two seasons with the Raiders and had a total of 27 carries for 112 yards and two catches for 6 yards. He appeared in one game for the Packers in 1996 but had no carries.

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Win city: Vegas gets CFP championship in 2027

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3 hours ago

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January 24, 2025

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Win city: Vegas gets CFP championship in 2027

Las Vegas will host the College Football Playoff national championship game at Allegiant Stadium on Jan. 25, 2027, the CFP announced Friday.

“Las Vegas has shown the world they have amazing venues and boundless energy to host an event like the College Football Playoff National Championship in spectacular fashion,” CFP executive director Rich Clark said in a statement. “I can’t think of a better stage to crown the best team in college football in 2027.”

Las Vegas will become the third city in the Pacific time zone to host the CFP title game, joining the Bay Area (2019) and Los Angeles (2023). Miami will host the next national championship game on Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium, a contest that will feature the winners of the Fiesta and Peach bowls, which will host the semifinals.

Sites have not been announced beyond 2027 in Las Vegas.

“Pairing the energy of Las Vegas with the College Football Playoff National Championship will make for a truly extraordinary event, both on and off the field,” said Steve Hill, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. “We appreciate the opportunity the CFP has provided us to welcome college football’s greatest athletes and biggest fans for an unmatched national championship experience in the city built for celebration.”

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Ohio St. RB Judkins leaving early for NFL draft

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January 24, 2025

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Ohio St. RB Judkins leaving early for NFL draft

Ohio State star running back Quinshon Judkins is leaving school early and will declare for the NFL draft, he told ESPN.

His addition to the 2025 draft highlights another high-end tailback, as Judkins is projected to be a Top 50 pick, according to NFL scouts, and ranks as the No. 5 overall running back in the upcoming draft in Mel Kiper Jr.’s position rankings.

Judkins was at Ohio State for just one season and left as a national champion, and his decision comes off a dazzling three-touchdown performance in Ohio State’s victory over Notre Dame on Monday night. Judkins ran for 100 yards on 11 carries and scored two rushing touchdowns. He caught two passes for 21 yards and a touchdown.

“My time here at Ohio State was like no other,” Judkins told ESPN in a phone interview. “It was like no other place I’ve ever been. I enjoyed my time here so much. I’m ready to take the next step in my journey and prove I’m best running back in the draft class.”

On the season in Columbus, he ran for 1,060 yards, caught 22 passes for 161 yards and scored 16 touchdowns for the Buckeyes. Judkins split carries at Ohio State with senior tailback TreVeyon Henderson, who is Kiper’s No. 9 tailback prospect. Judkins said his time at Ohio State helped prepare him for this step, as he saw value being around so many NFL players and bonding together to win.

“My coaches helped so much take my game to next level and develop me into a better player,” he said. “It was a super beneficial mentality to have being a pro, it helped me so much in that aspect.

“Playing around the best players in the country. You get to compete against the best players. It helped me sharpen my tools.”

He came to Ohio State last year after two seasons at Ole Miss. In Oxford, he was a first-team All-SEC tailback in 2023 and set Ole Miss school records with 1,567 rushing yards and 16 rushing TDs in 2022.

Coming off three productive seasons, Judkins showcased his versatility. He finished his three-year career at OSU/Ole Miss with 4,227 yards from scrimmage and 50 touchdowns.

He’s also a threat out of the backfield in the pass game, as he has 59 catches in his career for 442 yards and five touchdowns.

Judkins’ most productive season in his career came in his true freshman season. He led the SEC in rushing attempts (274) and went on to average a career-high 5.7 yards per carry. In total, he had 1,699 yards from scrimmage. He also led the SEC in touchdowns with 17 in 2022.

“Whoever picks me is going to get a super passionate player,” he said. “A guy who makes plays on the field and can catch the ball, run the ball and pass protect. I can do so many things that have a huge impact on the game. Not only just that, but also a younger guy who can come in and have great leadership. My time at Ohio State, I’ve learned so much about that and being a great teammate as well.”

He stressed there was no better way to finish his career than with a championship.

“It’s an amazing feeling just leaving as a champions,” he said. “This is what me and my brothers and coaches set out to do to achieve that goal, and there’s no better feeling. It’s a feeling that’s also unreal to speak about, it’s something that will live forever and a memory me and my brothers will have forever.”

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