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Heading into today’s massive 14-game slate, one of the major storylines we’re following is: Who will win the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference?

As it stands now, the New York Islanders and Detroit Red Wings both have 72 points; the Isles are given the tiebreaker in the standings right now as they have a higher points percentage, but when regulation wins come into play, the Red Wings sit two ahead. But thanks to some up-and-down play from those teams as of late, there are four teams within five points behind them.

  • The Isles have the best chances of making the playoffs, per Stathletes’ projections, at 61.1%. Eight of their final 17 games are against teams currently outside the playoffs — including today’s matchup against the Ottawa Senators (12:30 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+).

  • The Red Wings, who have a 12.1% chance of a playoff berth, play nine of their final 16 against non-playoff clubs, though they face the razor-hot Buffalo Sabres today (12:30 p.m. ET, NHL Network).

  • Speaking of the Sabres, they’ve gone 6-3-1 in their last 10 to pull within three points of the Isles and Wings, and have a 13.2% chance of reaching the postseason. Just seven of their remaining 15 games are against teams out of playoff position, but they’ve dispatched playoff-bound teams as well during the recent heater (including a 7-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights). Of note, the most recent Red Wings-Sabres tilt went to Buffalo, 7-3.

  • The Washington Capitals are looming one point behind the Isles and Wings, and Stathletes projects their playoff chances at 37.8%. They’ll skate in one of the evening’s nightcaps, at the Vancouver Canucks (10 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+). Washington’s schedule is tough, with just seven out of 17 games against teams not in playoff position.

  • One of those games will come against their classic rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins, who are currently five back of the Isles and Wings. The Penguins — who play the New York Rangers this afternoon (3 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN+) — are the longest shot of the teams we’ll mention here, with a 4.0% chance of the playoffs. And much like the Caps, seven of their final 17 contests are vs. teams currently outside the postseason mix.

  • Finally, the New Jersey Devils — who had the highest projected point totals of any of these teams heading into the season — will hope their annual trip to Arizona State University earns them two points today against the Arizona Coyotes (5 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+). Including today’s game against the Yotes, six of the Devils’ final 16 games are against teams not in playoff position, and Stathletes gives them a 14.0% chance of qualifying for the postseason.

With a matchup against one of the East’s dominant powers on tap in the first round as the prize, this race is far from over. And while matching up against the Florida Panthers, Boston Bruins, Rangers or Carolina Hurricanes doesn’t sound appealing, the Panthers did author a stunning upset of the juggernaut No. 1 seed Bruins last spring. Could one of these teams do the same?

As we traverse 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 New York Islanders
A2 Boston Bruins vs. A3 Toronto Maple Leafs
M1 New York Rangers vs. WC1 Tampa Bay Lightning
M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 Philadelphia Flyers

Western Conference

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

Saturday’s games

Note: All times ET. 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).

Buffalo Sabres at Detroit Red Wings, 12:30 p.m. (NHLN)
Ottawa Senators at New York Islanders, 12:30 p.m.
New York Rangers at Pittsburgh Penguins, 3 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)
New Jersey Devils at Arizona Coyotes, 5 p.m.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Florida Panthers, 6 p.m. (ESPN+/Hulu)
Philadelphia Flyers at Boston Bruins, 7 p.m.
Carolina Hurricanes at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m.
San Jose Sharks at Columbus Blue Jackets, 7 p.m.
Montreal Canadiens at Calgary Flames, 7 p.m.
Minnesota Wild at St. Louis Blues, 8 p.m.
Los Angeles Kings at Dallas Stars, 8 p.m.
Colorado Avalanche at Edmonton Oilers, 10 p.m.
Washington Capitals at Vancouver Canucks 10 p.m.
Nashville Predators at Seattle Kraken, 10 p.m.

Friday’s scoreboard

Winnipeg Jets 6, Anaheim Ducks 0
Los Angeles Kings 5, Chicago Blackhawks 0

Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

Points: 94
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 15
Points pace: 115
Next game: vs. TB (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 93
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 14
Points pace: 112
Next game: vs. PHI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 84
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 17
Points pace: 106
Next game: vs. CAR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 16
Points pace: 94
Next game: @ FLA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 92.7%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 16
Points pace: 90
Next game: vs. BUF (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 12.1%
Tragic number: 32

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 15
Points pace: 85
Next game: @ DET (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 13.2%
Tragic number: 27

Points: 61
Regulation wins: 15
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 16
Points pace: 76
Next game: @ CGY (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 21

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 74
Next game: @ NYI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 22

Metropolitan Division

Points: 90
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 16
Points pace: 112
Next game: @ PIT (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 86
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 16
Points pace: 107
Next game: @ TOR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 15
Points pace: 93
Next game: @ BOS (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 65.2%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 17
Points pace: 91
Next game: vs. OTT (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 61.1%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 90
Next game: @ VAN (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 37.8%
Tragic number: 33

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 16
Points pace: 85
Next game: @ ARI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 14.0%
Tragic number: 28

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 85
Next game: vs. NYR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 4.0%
Tragic number: 29

Points: 55
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 16
Points pace: 68
Next game: vs. SJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 15

Central Division

Points: 89
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 16
Points pace: 111
Next game: @ CBJ (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 89
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 15
Points pace: 109
Next game: @ EDM (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 89
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 14
Points pace: 107
Next game: vs. LA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 15
Points pace: 98
Next game: @ SEA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 95%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 15
Points pace: 89
Next game: @ STL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 25.8%
Tragic number: 26

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 16
Points pace: 88
Next game: vs. MIN (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 2.6%
Tragic number: 26

Points: 59
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 15
Points pace: 72
Next game: vs. NJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 12

Points: 41
Regulation wins: 13
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 15
Points pace: 50
Next game: vs. SJ (Sunday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: E

Pacific Division

Points: 92
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 15
Points pace: 113
Next game: vs. WSH (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 83
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 18
Points pace: 106
Next game: vs. COL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 16
Points pace: 98
Next game: @ DAL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 85.4%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 16
Points pace: 96
Next game: vs. NJ (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 84.4%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 16
Points pace: 86
Next game: vs. MTL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 2.8%
Tragic number: 24

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 86
Next game: vs. NSH (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 4.1%
Tragic number: 25

Points: 49
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 15
Points pace: 60
Next game: @ STL (Sunday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 2

Points: 39
Regulation wins: 12
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 49
Next game: @ CBJ (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 Macklin Celebrini, a freshman at Boston University.

Points: 39
Regulation wins: 12

Points: 41
Regulation wins: 13

Points: 49
Regulation wins: 17

Points: 55
Regulation wins: 17

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 19

Points: 59
Regulation wins: 22

Points: 61
Regulation wins: 15

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 24

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 22

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 27

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 26

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 27

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 25

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 26

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 23

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 26

* 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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Volpe returns to Yanks’ lineup after cortisone shot

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September 17, 2025

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Volpe returns to Yanks' lineup after cortisone shot

  • Associated Press

Sep 16, 2025, 06:57 PM ET

MINNEAPOLIS — Anthony Volpe returned to the New York Yankees‘ starting lineup on Tuesday, making his first start since getting a cortisone shot in his left shoulder.

Volpe entered the game against Minnesota hitting .206 with 19 homers in 142 games this season, playing through a small tear in his labrum for more than four months. He had a cortisone shot last week, his second this season, and returned to action as a defensive replacement in the eighth inning of New York’s 7-0 loss Monday. He did not have a plate appearance and was in Tuesday’s lineup at shortstop and batting eighth.

“I feel like he’s in a good place physically,” New York manager Aaron Boone said. “With that being said, that’s been the case most of the year. So, he’s just got to focus on what he does up at the plate and put himself in position to make good swing decisions, and hopefully click for him right away.”

Volpe aggravated the injury on Sept. 7 when he made a diving stop in a game against AL East-leading Toronto. He originally injured the shoulder in May and had a cortisone shot during the All-Star break.

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Astros’ Alvarez has significant sprain, out ‘a while’

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September 17, 2025

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Astros' Alvarez has significant sprain, out 'a while'

  • ESPN News Services

Sep 16, 2025, 05:42 PM ET

Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez has a “pretty significant” left ankle sprain and will be out of the lineup indefinitely as Houston battles for a division title and an American League playoff spot as the season winds down, manager Joe Espada said Tuesday.

Espada would not give a timetable for the return of Alvarez, who continues to be on the active roster.

“This is going to keep him out for a while,” Espada said. “Let’s not get into days, weeks, any of that. We are going to take one day at a time, but this is going to take some time to heal.”

Alvarez, who underwent an MRI on Tuesday, suffered the injury while crossing home plate during Monday’s victory against the Texas Rangers. He was seen leaving the Astros clubhouse on a crutch and with a boot on his left foot.

The three-time All-Star appeared to slip as he crossed the plate in the first inning, scoring from first base on a throwing error by Rangers pitcher Jack Leiter on Carlos Correa‘s infield single. Alvarez was tended to by an athletic trainer outside the Astros’ dugout and then helped down the steps.

Espada refused to say if the team planned to place Alvarez on the injured list.

“One day at a time,” Espada said. “I’m not going to give you days, weeks, what we’re going to do next. You’re just going to have to sit down and wait.”

Alvarez is batting .273 with six home runs and 27 RBIs but has been limited to 48 games because of a fractured right hand that forced him to sit out 101 games.

Entering Tuesday, Houston is a half-game behind the Seattle Mariners in the AL West. The Astros are three games ahead of Cleveland Guardians and Texas for the final AL wild-card spot.

“We need him in there, but those are the things that we can’t control,” Espada said of Alvarez. “It’s a freak accident that happens on a baseball field and that’s not what we need right now. But we do have guys here that understand the situation that we’re in. We’ve got talent. We’ve got guys that want it. We’ve got guys that can fight and get us through this stretch.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Tigers’ Skubal throws bullpen, to start Thursday

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September 17, 2025

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Tigers' Skubal throws bullpen, to start Thursday
Sep 16, 2025, 06:15 PM ET

Detroit Tigers starter Tarik Skubal is on track to take the mound Thursday against the Cleveland Guardians, less than a week after feeling tightness on his left side during his previous start.

Last Friday, in the fourth inning of a game the Tigers would lose 8-2 to the Miami Marlins, Skubal, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner, removed himself following a 45-pitch effort. He felt the tightness in the rib cage area, raising concern about his next start.

But he completed his regular bullpen session on Monday and reported no issues.

“Everything felt good,” Skubal told reporters on Tuesday, according to the Detroit Free Press, adding that he threw with maximum effort and “probably worked a little bit harder” than usual without any discomfort. “It’s one of those weird things. I don’t really know how to explain it. Bullpen went well. Scans came back good. It’s on to the next one.”

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch was pleased with the results, as well.

“The sight of Tarik Skubal throwing off the mound was really awesome,” Hinch said on MLB Network Radio. “He threw his normal bullpen. We’re going day by day. I’ll check in with him today. We’ll continue to inch towards his next start. Right now, that’s penciled in for Thursday.”

Entering play on Tuesday, the Tigers’ magic number to seal the American League Central title was seven, but a strong showing against the second-place Guardians would reduce that number quickly.

“You want to clinch at home. It’s fun to clinch at home in front of your fans,” Skubal said. “The only bad part is celebrating in your own clubhouse, because it tends to get a little destroyed.”

Skubal is 13-5 this season with a 2.26 ERA and 224 strikeouts. On Thursday, he is in line to oppose Gavin Williams, who is 10-5 with a 3.16 ERA and 152 strikeouts for Cleveland.

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