NHL playoff standings: Do the Hurricanes have a chance at the East’s No. 1 seed?
-
Tim Kavanagh, ESPN.com
While six teams remain in contention for the Eastern Conference’s final wild-card spot in the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs, there is some excitement happening at the other end of the playoff-bound spectrum.
Specifically, can the Carolina Hurricanes go on enough of a run in their final 15 games to earn the No. 1 spot in the Metro ahead of the New York Rangers — or even the top position in the conference, above the Florida Panthers and Boston Bruins?
The Canes made trades with divisional rivals in acquiring winger Jake Guentzel and Evgeny Kuznetsov, and the early returns have been encouraging: Kuznetsov had a goal and Guentzel had an assist in Carolina’s 4-0 trouncing of the Panthers on Thursday. Regulation wins against teams they are chasing are quite helpful in earning that No. 1 position.
Unfortunately, when considering that notion, the Canes have two games left against the Bruins this season (April 4 in Raleigh, April 9 in Boston), but none against New York or Florida. But they do have five games left against clubs that are close to the basement, beginning with Sunday’s clash with the Ottawa Senators (6 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+). They’ll also skate against the Montreal Canadiens (March 30), Columbus Blue Jackets twice (April 7 and 16) and Chicago Blackhawks once (April 14).
As of Sunday, Carolina is four points and two regulation wins behind the Rangers in the Metro; the Canes are seven points behind the Bruins (but three ahead in regulation wins), and six points and three regulation wins behind the Panthers.
While that seems like a lot of ground to make up, this is a team that just added two top-six difference-makers, and recently welcomed No. 1 goalie Frederik Andersen back to the ice as well. If there’s a team that could pull off such a heater to close out the season, this sure looks like it.
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 Boston Bruins vs. WC2 Detroit Red Wings
A2 Florida Panthers vs. A3 Toronto Maple Leafs
M1 New York Rangers vs. WC1 Tampa Bay Lightning
M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 Philadelphia Flyers
Western Conference
C1 Colorado Avalanche vs. WC1 Nashville Predators
C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Winnipeg Jets
P1 Vancouver Canucks vs. WC2 Vegas Golden Knights
P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings
Sunday’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).
New York Islanders at New York Rangers, 1 p.m. (TNT)
New Jersey Devils at Vegas Golden Knights, 3:30 p.m. (TNT)
Carolina Hurricanes at Ottawa Senators, 6 p.m.
Detroit Red Wings at Pittsburgh Penguins, 6 p.m.
Winnipeg Jets at Columbus Blue Jackets, 6 p.m.
San Jose Sharks at Chicago Blackhawks, 6 p.m.
Anaheim Ducks at St. Louis Blues, 7 p.m.
Saturday’s scoreboard
Detroit Red Wings 4, Buffalo Sabres 1
Ottawa Senators 4, New York Islanders 3 (OT)
New York Rangers 7, Pittsburgh Penguins 4
Arizona Coyotes 4, New Jersey Devils 1
Tampa Bay Lightning 5, Florida Panthers 3
Boston Bruins 6, Philadelphia Flyers 5
Carolina Hurricanes 5, Toronto Maple Leafs 4 (SO)
Columbus Blue Jackets 4, San Jose Sharks 2
Calgary Flames 5, Montreal Canadiens 2
St. Louis Blues 3, Minnesota Wild 2 (SO)
Dallas Stars 4, Los Angeles Kings 1
Colorado Avalanche 3, Edmonton Oilers 2 (OT)
Washington Capitals 2, Vancouver Canucks 1
Nashville Predators 4, Seattle Kraken 1
Expanded standings
Atlantic Division
Points: 95
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 13
Points pace: 113
Next game: vs. OTT (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 94
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 14
Points pace: 113
Next game: vs. NSH (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 85
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 16
Points pace: 106
Next game: @ PHI (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 15
Points pace: 96
Next game: @ VGK (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 92.7%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 74
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 15
Points pace: 91
Next game: vs. CBJ (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 12.1%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 14
Points pace: 83
Next game: @ SEA (Monday)
Playoff chances: 13.2%
Tragic number: 23
Points: 61
Regulation wins: 15
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 15
Points pace: 75
Next game: @ EDM (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 17
Points: 60
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 76
Next game: @ BOS (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 20
Metropolitan Division
Points: 92
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 15
Points pace: 113
Next game: vs. NYI (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 88
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 15
Points pace: 108
Next game: @ OTT (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 14
Points pace: 92
Next game: vs. TOR (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 65.2%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 16
Points pace: 91
Next game: @ CGY (Monday)
Playoff chances: 37.8%
Tragic number: 31
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 16
Points pace: 91
Next game: @ NYR (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 61.1%
Tragic number: 31
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 15
Points pace: 83
Next game: @ VGK (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 14%
Tragic number: 24
Points: 67
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 16
Points pace: 83
Next game: vs. DET (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 4%
Tragic number: 25
Points: 57
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 15
Points pace: 70
Next game: vs. WPG (Sunday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 13
Central Division
Points: 91
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 14
Points pace: 110
Next game: @ STL (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 91
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 13
Points pace: 108
Next game: vs. ARI (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 89
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 16
Points pace: 111
Next game: @ CBJ (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 82
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 14
Points pace: 99
Next game: vs. SJ (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 95%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 74
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 14
Points pace: 89
Next game: @ ANA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 25.8%
Tragic number: 26
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 15
Points pace: 89
Next game: vs. ANA (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 2.6%
Tragic number: 26
Points: 61
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 14
Points pace: 74
Next game: @ DAL (Wednesday)
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: 14
Points pace: 111
Next game: vs. BUF (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 84
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 17
Points pace: 106
Next game: vs. MTL (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 15
Points pace: 97
Next game: vs. CHI (Tuesday)
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: 71
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 15
Points pace: 87
Next game: vs. WSH (Monday)
Playoff chances: 2.8%
Tragic number: 24
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 16
Points pace: 85
Next game: vs. BUF (Monday)
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: 16
Points pace: 49
Next game: @ CHI (Sunday)
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: 57
Regulation wins: 18
Points: 60
Regulation wins: 19
Points: 61
Regulation wins: 15
Points: 61
Regulation wins: 23
Points: 67
Regulation wins: 24
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 22
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 27
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 26
Points: 71
Regulation wins: 28
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 21
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 26
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 26
Points: 74
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.
-
Tim Keown
TOKYO — Shohei Ohtani seems impervious to a variety of conditions that afflict most humans — nerves, anxiety, distraction — but it took playing a regular-season big-league game in his home country to change all of that.
After the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ Opening Day 4-1 win over the Chicago Cubs in the Tokyo Dome, Ohtani made a surprising admission. “It’s been a while since I felt this nervous playing a game,” he said. “It took me four or five innings.”
Ohtani had two hits and scored twice, and one of his outs was a hard liner that left his bat at more than 96 mph, so the nerves weren’t obvious from the outside. But clearly the moment, and its weeklong buildup, altered his usually stoic demeanor.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Shohei nervous,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “But one thing I did notice was how emotional he got during the Japanese national anthem. I thought that was telling.”
As the Dodgers began the defense of last year’s World Series win, it became a night to showcase the five Japanese players on the two teams. For the first time in league history, two Japanese pitchers — the Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the Cubs’ Shota Imanaga — faced each other on Opening Day. Both pitched well, with Imanaga throwing four hitless innings before being removed after 69 pitches.
“Seventy was kind of the number we had for Shota,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “It was the right time to take him out.”
The Dodgers agreed, scoring three in the fifth inning off reliever Ben Brown. Imanaga kept the Dodgers off balance, but his career-high four walks created two stressful innings that ran up his pitch count.
Yamamoto rode the adrenaline of pitching in his home country, routinely hitting 98 with his fastball and vexing the Cubs with a diving splitter over the course of five three-hit innings. He threw with a kind of abandon, finding a freedom that often eluded him last year in his first year in America.
“I think last year to this year, the confidence and conviction he has throwing the fastball in the strike zone is night and day,” Roberts said. “If he can continue to do that, I see no reason he won’t be in the Cy Young conversation this season.”
Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki went hitless in four at bats — the Cubs had only three hits, none in the final four innings against four relievers out of the Dodgers’ loaded bullpen — and rookie Roki Sasaki will make his first start of his Dodger career in the second and final game of the series Wednesday.
“I don’t think there was a Japanese baseball player in this country who wasn’t watching tonight,” Roberts said.
The Dodgers were without Mookie Betts, who left Japan on Monday after it was decided his illness would not allow him to play in this series. And less than an hour before game time, first baseman Freddie Freeman was scratched with what the team termed “left rib discomfort,” a recurrence of an injury he first sustained during last year’s playoffs.
The night started with a pregame celebration that felt like an Olympic opening ceremony in a lesser key. There were Pikachus on the field and a vaguely threatening video depicting the Dodgers and Cubs as Monster vs. Monster. World home-run king Saduharu Oh was on the field before the game, and Roberts called meeting Oh “a dream come true.”
For the most part, the crowd was subdued, as if it couldn’t decide who or what to root for, other than Ohtani. It was admittedly confounding: throughout the first five innings, if fans rooted for the Dodgers they were rooting against Imanaga, but rooting for the Cubs meant rooting against Yamamoto. Ohtani, whose every movement is treated with a rare sense of wonder, presented no such conflict.
-
Sports2 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports12 months agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports1 year agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports3 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike
-
Business2 years agoBank of England’s extraordinary response to government policy is almost unthinkable | Ed Conway