NHL playoff watch: How the Islanders get into the playoffs

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11 months ago

March 10, 2024

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Tim Kavanagh, ESPN.comMar 10, 2024, 08:30 AM ET
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On Jan. 20, the New York Islanders were two points out of a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference playoff standings. That was the day the club announced that it had fired head coach Lane Lambert, and hired Patrick Roy as his replacement.

Heading into Sunday’s matchup against the Anaheim Ducks (8 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+), the Isles are two points out of a wild-card spot, despite markedly better play under the guidance of the Hall of Fame goaltender. In fact, they’ve gone 6-2-2 in their past 10 games, and carry a five-game winning streak into Orange County.

How likely is it that they qualify for the playoffs this season?

The Isles have a 61.8% chance of making it, per Stathletes, which is considerably better than that of the Detroit Red Wings (36.3%), the team they are chasing. Part of that is due to their upcoming schedule: after Sunday’s matchup against the lottery-bound Ducks, they’ll have 19 games left. Of those 19, just 10 are against teams currently in playoff position. They’ll also have a chance to play the Red Wings and Tampa Bay Lightning (the other wild card) once more apiece, with those games holding the famous “four-point swing” potential.

And there will be some extra juice in three of those upcoming games against playoff teams, as those are the remaining dates against the rival New York Rangers (March 17, April 9 and April 13).

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

Sunday’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 Pittsburgh Penguins, 1 p.m. (TNT)
Nashville Predators at Minnesota Wild, 3:30 p.m. (TNT)
Calgary Flames at Carolina Hurricanes, 5 p.m.
Arizona Coyotes at Chicago Blackhawks, 6 p.m. (NHLN)
New York Islanders at Anaheim Ducks, 8 p.m.

Saturday’s scoreboard

Buffalo Sabres 3, Edmonton Oilers 2 (SO)
Carolina Hurricanes 4, New Jersey Devils 2
Nashville Predators 2, Columbus Blue Jackets 1
Boston Bruins 5, Pittsburgh Penguins 1
Florida Panthers 5, Calgary Flames 1
Toronto Maple Leafs 3, Montreal Canadiens 2
Tampa Bay Lightning 7, Philadelphia Flyers 0
Washington Capitals 4, Chicago Blackhawks 1
San Jose Sharks 2, Ottawa Senators 1
New York Rangers 4, St. Louis Blues 0
Vancouver Canucks 5, Winnipeg Jets 0
Vegas Golden Knights 5, Detroit Red Wings 3
Dallas Stars 4, Los Angeles Kings 1

Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

Points: 92
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 17
Points pace: 116
Next game: @ DAL (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 91
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 16
Points pace: 113
Next game: vs. STL (Monday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 82
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 18
Points pace: 105
Next game: @ PHI (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 99.3%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 17
Points pace: 93
Next game: vs. NYR (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 77.8%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 18
Points pace: 92
Next game: @ BUF (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 36.3%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 65
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 82
Next game: vs. DET (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 1.5%
Tragic number: 27

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 74
Next game: vs. CBJ (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 22

Points: 54
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 20
Points pace: 71
Next game: vs. PIT (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 22

Metropolitan Division

Points: 86
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 19
Points pace: 112
Next game: vs. NYR (Monday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 82
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 19
Points pace: 107
Next game: vs. CGY (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 17
Points pace: 93
Next game: vs. SJ (Tuesday)
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: 69
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 20
Points pace: 91
Next game: @ WPG (Monday)
Playoff chances: 32.8%
Tragic number: 37

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 85
Next game: @ NYR (Monday)
Playoff chances: 13.3%
Tragic number: 30

Points: 64
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 20
Points pace: 85
Next game: @ OTT (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 3.1%
Tragic number: 32

Points: 54
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 69
Next game: @ MTL (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 18

Central Division

Points: 89
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 16
Points pace: 111
Next game: vs. FLA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 85
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 19
Points pace: 111
Next game: vs. WSH (Monday)
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: 77
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 17
Points pace: 97
Next game: @ MIN (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 77.5%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 86
Next game: @ BOS (Monday)
Playoff chances: 2.1%
Tragic number: 28

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: 28

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

Points: 37
Regulation wins: 11
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 47
Next game: vs. ARI (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Pacific Division

Points: 91
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 16
Points pace: 113
Next game: vs. COL (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 20
Points pace: 105
Next game: @ PIT (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 19
Points pace: 98
Next game: vs. NYI (Monday)
Playoff chances: 93.3%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 18
Points pace: 96
Next game: @ SEA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 76.6%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 87
Next game: @ CAR (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 24.1%
Tragic number: 30

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: 30

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: 12

Points: 39
Regulation wins: 12
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 51
Next game: @ PHI (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 2

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: 39
Regulation wins: 12

Points: 49
Regulation wins: 17

Points: 54
Regulation wins: 17

Points: 54
Regulation wins: 19

Points: 57
Regulation wins: 21

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 14

Points: 64
Regulation wins: 23

Points: 65
Regulation wins: 24

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 26

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 22

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 24

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 26

Points: 69
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.

Sports

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

Published

3 hours ago

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.

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Husker legend and Super Bowl Champion, Calvin Jones.

Our hearts go out to the Jones family and he will be greatly missed. pic.twitter.com/fCsYkOvB4k

— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFootball) January 24, 2025

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.

Sports

Win city: Vegas gets CFP championship in 2027

Published

3 hours ago

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.”

Sports

Ohio St. RB Judkins leaving early for NFL draft

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3 hours ago

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.”