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.
-
Jorge Castillo, ESPN Staff Writer
The San Diego Padres have acquired second baseman Luis Arraez in a trade with the Miami Marlins for reliever Woo-Suk Go and prospects Dillon Head, Jakob Marsee and Nathan Martorella, the teams announced Saturday.
The Padres also received nearly $7.9 million in cash considerations, leaving them responsible only for the major league minimum salary for Arraez.
The transaction represents the first significant move for the Marlins since Peter Bendix took over as the team’s president of baseball operations in November after Kim Ng departed. It marks the beginning of the Marlins’ teardown of an underachieving roster that has produced the third-worst record in the majors at 9-25 with a minus-61 run differential after reaching the postseason in 2023.
On the other side, it’s another aggressive deal for A.J. Preller, the leader of the Padres’ front office since 2014. Arraez, one of the sport’s best contact hitters, will give the Padres a needed left-handed-hitting weapon after Juan Soto was sent to the New York Yankees in December. San Diego is 17-18 with a plus-6 run differential.
“It’s really amazing — that guy is a baller,” Fernando Tatis Jr. said about Arraez after the Padres’ win Friday night. “He’s probably the closest to Tony Gwynn right now, so looking forward to seeing him in our lineup. … The guy’s a pure hitter, and I can’t wait for him to help us.”
Miami is paying San Diego $7,898,602 of the $8,491,398 remaining for the final 149 days of Arraez’s $10.6 million salary. That left his cost to the Padres at $592,796 — exactly a prorated share of the $740,000 minimum.
Arraez, 27, was the Marlins’ best player, an All-Star and batting champion each of the past two seasons. This season, he is batting .299 with a .719 OPS in 33 games, all started at second base. He also has extensive experience at first base.
“When a guy like that is taken out of the lineup or potentially traded, you feel it, because he’s such a good kid and one of the leaders in that clubhouse,” Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said, “so there’s definitely a shock value.”
Arraez is expected to start games as the Padres’ designated hitter, but the club plans to cycle through the DH spot. Jake Cronenworth, Xander Bogaerts and Manny Machado could also get at-bats there. Bogaerts has been the club’s starting second baseman.
Go spent seven seasons in the Korean Baseball Organization before signing a two-year deal with a mutual option worth $4.5 million guaranteed during the offseason. The 25-year-old right-hander appeared in 10 games for Double-A San Antonio, posting a 4.38 ERA across 12⅓ innings after failing to make the Padres’ bullpen out of spring training.
Head was the Padres’ first-round pick (25th overall) last year out of high school. The 19-year-old center fielder is batting .237 with a .683 OPS and three stolen bases in 21 games in low-Class A.
Martorella is batting .294 with an .820 OPS in 23 games in San Antonio. The Padres selected the 23-year-old first baseman in the fifth round of the 2022 draft. Marsee, a 22-year-old outfielder, has spent the season in San Antonio batting .185 with two home runs. He was a sixth-round pick in 2022 out of Central Michigan.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
-
Jorge Castillo, ESPN Staff Writer
NEW YORK — Yankees ace Gerrit Cole threw off a mound Saturday morning for the first time since being shut down in mid-March, checking off another box in his road back from an elbow injury.
Cole took the mound in the Yankees’ bullpen at 10:40 a.m., hours before New York took on the Detroit Tigers at Yankee Stadium. He said he threw 15 pitches, 13 for strikes and all fastballs. He said the pitches averaged 89 mph.
“It was exciting,” Cole said. “This was a good day for me. I was fired up.”
Cole, 33, started the season on the 60-day injured list after being diagnosed with nerve irritation and edema in his pitching elbow following one spring training outing. The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner is eligible to come off the injured list May 27, but the Yankees have declined to share a timetable for Cole’s return.
On a scale from 1 to 10 — 10 being game ready — Cole reported he is “somewhere between 1 and 5.” He said how his body responds over the next 48 hours will decide when he throws off a mound again.
Cole’s injury was a significant blow to a club with championship-or-bust aspirations, but the Yankees’ starting rotation has been one of the best in the majors and a primary reason for the team’s 21-13 start. The rotation’s 3.43 ERA through Friday ranked ninth in the majors. Its 183⅔ innings pitched ranked fourth.
Luis Gil, Cole’s rotation replacement, logged the best start of his young career Wednesday, holding the explosive Baltimore Orioles scoreless on two hits over a career-high 6⅓ innings. Gil, 25, has recorded a 3.19 ERA in 31 innings across six starts despite leading the American League with 20 walks.
Earlier this week, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said neither the team’s nor the rotation’s success will impact Cole’s timeline. Asked whether the overall success has made his absence more “palatable,” Cole was unsure.
“I don’t really have anything unpalatable to compare it to,” Cole said. “You know what I’m saying? So I’m just kind of like, just like everybody else, just glad we’re playing well.”
Also on Saturday, the Yankees reinstated infielder Jon Berti from the 10-day injured list and designated former first-round pick Taylor Trammell for assignment.
Berti, 34, has been out of the Yankees’ lineup since April 10 with a left groin strain. The Yankees had selected Trammell off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 18, and he collected 1 hit, 1 walk and 2 runs in five games with New York.
Field Level Media contributed to this report.
-
Sports2 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports1 year agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Environment12 months agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Sports3 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Sports6 months agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Environment1 year agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike
-
Sports4 weeks agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Environment1 year agoTesla advances Powerwall pilot project with German electric company