NHL playoff watch: Predicting the Stars’ perfect postseason path
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Tim Kavanagh, ESPN.com
This space is typically used to set up matchups on the evening’s NHL schedule that will have an impact on the playoff races, and there’s been great fodder this season due to the number of teams still fighting for those spots (particularly in the East). But with an extraordinarily light slate tonight, let’s take a look a bit further down the road for one of the teams in action.
The Dallas Stars are among the handful of clubs for which Stathletes projects a 99.9% chance of making the playoffs. Put another way, it would take an almost-unprecedented collapse for them to miss the postseason. Some chose them as their preseason Stanley Cup favorite this season, and the matchups will matter in their quest to live up to those expectations.
Within the mighty Central Division, the Stars are projected for 108.7 standings points, in third behind the Colorado Avalanche (109.6) and Winnipeg Jets (109.9). So yeah, it’s close. But if those projections hold, it will be a first-round matchup against the Avs for Dallas. The bad news for Dallas is that Colorado has won all three games the clubs have played this season by a cumulative score of 16-8; the good (or at least, optimistic) news is that all three were in the pre-Chris Tanev era. The final matchup in their regular-season series is April 7 (10 p.m. ET, ESPN).
What if Colorado gets the Central’s No. 1 seed, and Winnipeg is Dallas’ first-round opponent? The scenario is almost exactly reversed, as the Stars have won all three matchups against the Jets by a cumulative score of 9-3. The final game for these two is April 11 (8 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+).
If the Stars go on a heater and win the division, they’ll take on one of the West wild cards, most likely the Nashville Predators (projected for 98.8 points), Vegas Golden Knights (97.9) or Los Angeles Kings (97.7). Among those three, the Stars’ most desirable opponent based on past results is the Kings, as Dallas has won all three matchups this season (by a cumulative score of 13-3). The Stars have split the four games against the Predators, and they’ve lost all three to the Golden Knights — although there are two caveats for the Vegas results:
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One of the losses was in overtime, another in a shootout.
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The most recent of the three games was Dec. 9, and much has changed since then.
So the ideal scenario for the first two rounds is the Stars winning the Central and taking on the Kings, followed by a second-round series against the Jets (or drawing Winnipeg in the first and L.A. in the second). The charge up the standings continues tonight with a game against the Arizona Coyotes (8 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+).
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 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
Wednesday’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).
Toronto Maple Leafs at Washington Capitals, 7:30 p.m. (TNT)
Arizona Coyotes at Dallas Stars, 8 p.m.
Minnesota Wild at Los Angeles Kings, 10 p.m. (TNT)
Tuesday’s scoreboard
Boston Bruins 6, Ottawa Senators 2
Detroit Red Wings 4, Columbus Blue Jackets 2 (OT)
New Jersey Devils 5, Pittsburgh Penguins 2
Winnipeg Jets 4, New York Rangers 2
Philadelphia Flyers 4, Toronto Maple Leafs 3
Carolina Hurricanes 4, New York Islanders 1
Colorado Avalanche 4, St. Louis Blues 3
Nashville Predators 8, San Jose Sharks 2
Edmonton Oilers 3, Montreal Canadiens 2 (OT)
Vancouver Canucks 3, Buffalo Sabres 2
Tampa Bay Lightning 5, Vegas Golden Knights 3
Minnesota Wild 4, Anaheim Ducks 0
Los Angeles Kings 6, Chicago Blackhawks 0
Expanded standings
Atlantic Division
Points: 97
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 12
Points pace: 114
Next game: vs. NYR (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 94
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 14
Points pace: 114
Next game: vs. NSH (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 85
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 15
Points pace: 104
Next game: @ WSH (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 80
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 14
Points pace: 97
Next game: @ SJ (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 97.1%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 13
Points pace: 90
Next game: vs. NYI (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 19.4%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 71
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 83
Next game: @ EDM (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 8.2%
Tragic number: 19
Points: 62
Regulation wins: 15
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 14
Points pace: 75
Next game: @ VAN (Thursday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 14
Points: 60
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 15
Points pace: 73
Next game: vs. STL (Thursday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 13
Metropolitan Division
Points: 94
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 13
Points pace: 112
Next game: @ BOS (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 92
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 13
Points pace: 109
Next game: vs. PHI (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 13
Points pace: 93
Next game: @ CAR (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 52.3%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 15
Points pace: 92
Next game: vs. TOR (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 61.6%
Tragic number: 29
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 14
Points pace: 88
Next game: @ DET (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 49%
Tragic number: 25
Points: 70
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 83
Next game: vs. WPG (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 6.8%
Tragic number: 20
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 14
Points pace: 83
Next game: @ DAL Friday)
Playoff chances: 5.7%
Tragic number: 21
Points: 58
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 69
Next game: @ COL (Friday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 8
Central Division
Points: 93
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 14
Points pace: 112
Next game: @ NJ (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 93
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 13
Points pace: 111
Next game: s. CBJ (Friday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 91
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 13
Points pace: 108
Next game: vs. ARI (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 84
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 13
Points pace: 100
Next game: @ FLA (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 96%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 90
Next game: @ LA (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 16.7%
Tragic number: 23
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 89
Next game: vs. SEA (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 4.8%
Tragic number: 22
Points: 61
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 14
Points pace: 74
Next game: @ DAL (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 10
Points: 43
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 51
Next game: @ ANA (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Pacific Division
Points: 94
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 13
Points pace: 112
Next game: vs. MTL (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 86
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 16
Points pace: 107
Next game: vs. BUF (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 14
Points pace: 98
Next game: vs. MIN (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 88.1%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 14
Points pace: 95
Next game: vs. SEA (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 90.3%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 71
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 14
Points pace: 86
Next game: @ VAN (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 3.6%
Tragic number: 20
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 15
Points pace: 83
Next game: @ VGK (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0.4%
Tragic number: 19
Points: 49
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 58
Next game: vs. CHI (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Points: 39
Regulation wins: 12
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 14
Points pace: 47
Next game: vs. TB (Thursday)
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: 43
Regulation wins: 14
Points: 49
Regulation wins: 17
Points: 58
Regulation wins: 18
Points: 60
Regulation wins: 19
Points: 61
Regulation wins: 23
Points: 62
Regulation wins: 15
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 22
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 25
Points: 70
Regulation wins: 28
Points: 71
Regulation wins: 27
Points: 71
Regulation wins: 28
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 21
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 27
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 27
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 27
* 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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Tom Luginbill, ESPN Analyst
While not as deep as recent classes, the future of college football is still in good hands (or arms) with the highly developed quarterback prospects in the 2025 class.
While the 2024 recruiting cycle featured an unprecedented number of dual-threat prospects, with two — D.J. Lagway and Julian Sayin — in the top 10, this class features two of the best pocket passers in the past several years.
The top of the ESPN 300 could come down to the wire for Julian Lewis and Bryce Underwood who sit No. 1 and No. 2, respectively. Both pocket passers match up with best we have seen at the position and will compete at this week’s Elite 11 Final.
The Elite 11 Final is a showcase event featuring 20 top quarterback recruits that in past years has featured the likes of Matthew Stafford and Bryce Young.
Ahead of this QB showcase, we break down the top five dual-threat quarterbacks and the top five pocket passers in the 2025 class.
Jump to a section:
Pocket passers | Dual threats
Pocket passers
The 2024 NHL draft will take place on June 28 (7 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN+) and June 29 (11:30 a.m. ET, ESPN+) at the Sphere in Las Vegas. As usual, fans of teams at the top of the draft order are excited about the next great prospect their club will add.
Also, many of the top prospects available have last names that sound somewhat familiar.
Here’s a rundown of some of the more prominent players in this year’s draft class who have family ties in the NHL, including a handful who could go early in Round 1.
Macklin Celebrini
F, Boston University
Celebrini is the consensus No. 1 prospect available, with many mock drafts, including one from ESPN’s Rachel Doerrie, projecting him in that spot to the San Jose Sharks. Celebrini’s brother, Aiden Celebrini, was a sixth-round pick by the Vancouver Canucks (No. 171 overall) in 2023 and his father is the current vice president of player health and performance for the NBA’s Golden State Warriors.
Zeev Buium
D, University of Denver
Buium’s older brother, Shai Buium, was a second-round pick of the Detroit Red Wings in 2021 (No. 36 overall), and the two siblings won the NCAA championship with Denver during the 2023-24 season.
Adam Jiricek
D, HC Plzen
A likely first-rounder, Jiricek is following in the skate strides of older brother David Jiricek, who was selected No. 6 overall in 2022 by the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Berkly Catton
F, Spokane Chiefs
Remember Cory Sarich? He was a 1996 second-round pick (No. 27 overall) by the Buffalo Sabres, played more than 900 NHL games and won the Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2024. Berkly Catton remembers Sarich quite well. He is a second cousin.
Tij Iginla
F, Kelowna Rockets
One of the easier familial connections to make this list, Tij is the son of Jarome Iginla, a Hockey Hall of Famer who played 20 seasons in the NHL and holds the Calgary Flames‘ franchise records for career goals and points.
Cole Eiserman
F, USNTDP
When Cole hears his name in the draft, he’ll be the second Eiserman to do so, as older brother Shane was a fourth-round pick of the Ottawa Senators (No. 100, 2014).
Ryder Ritchie
F, Prince Albert Raiders
Ritchie’s father, Byron Ritchie, was a seventh-round pick (No. 165) by the Hartford Whalers in 1995 and played in more than 300 NHL games with the Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, Flames and Canucks.
Jacob Oster
G, Oshawa Generals
Though the last name might not lead you to this conclusion, Oster is a second cousin of Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk and Senators forward Brady Tkachuk.
Aatos Koivu
F, TPS
Aatos Koivu has two famous relatives who had lengthy NHL careers. His father, Saku Koivu, was a first-round pick (No. 21) by the Montreal Canadiens in 1993, who played 1,124 NHL games with the Habs and Anaheim Ducks. Aatos’ uncle, Mikko Koivu, was also a first-round pick (sixth overall in 2001 by the Minnesota Wild) and played 1,035 NHL games, split between the Wild and Blue Jackets.
Max Plante
F, USNTDP
Max is the son of Derek Plante, an eighth-round selection (No. 161, 1989) by the Buffalo Sabres, who played 450 NHL games, including a stint where he won the Stanley Cup with the Dallas Stars in 1999. The elder Plante is an assistant coach with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Lukas Fischer
D, Sarnia Sting
This last name should be familiar to Red Wings fans, as Lukas’ father, Jiri Fischer, was a first-round pick (No. 25, 1998) of the Wings and won the Cup with them in 2002.
Carson Wetsch
F, Calgary Hitmen
The longest currently-serving member of the Edmonton Oilers, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, is Wetsch’s cousin.
Miroslav Satan Jr.
F, HC Slovan Bratislava
Satan’s father skated 1,050 NHL games, including stints with the Oilers, Sabres, New York Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins.
Cole Hutson
D, USNTDP
Hutson’s brother, Lane Hutson, was a 2022 second-round pick (No. 62) by the Canadiens. After helping the U.S. win gold at the IIHF world junior championships, the older Hutson made his NHL debut near the end of the 2023-24 season.
William Samuelsson
F, Sodertalje
Mikael Samuelsson, William’s father, played 699 NHL games, in a career that saw him skate for the Sharks, New York Rangers, Penguins, Panthers, Red Wings and Canucks. He’s currently a development coach with Vancouver.
Noah Lapointe
D, USNTDP
Currently the director of player personnel and director of amateur scouting for the Canadiens, Martin Lapointe, Noah’s father, played in over 900 career NHL games.
LOS ANGELES — Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto was placed on the 15-day injured list before Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Royals with tightness in the triceps of his pitching arm.
Manager Dave Roberts said Yamamoto, 25, would undergo testing Sunday to determine the severity of the injury and a recovery timeline.
“He’s a guy that we’re still trying to learn a lot about, and appreciate the fact that the most important time of the season is yet to come,” Roberts said. “His health is paramount. So for us to be proactive and put him on the IL seems like the smartest thing.”
Yamamoto, playing his first year in the majors after departing his native Japan and signing a record $325 million, 12-year contract, is 6-2 with a 2.92 ERA.
Yamamoto left Saturday’s loss to Kansas City after two innings. He said through an interpreter after the game that his scheduled start the previous Thursday against Texas had been pushed back because of the tightness.
He also said the tightness was gone for most of Saturday, but he started feeling it again when he was warming up before the game.
Yamamoto threw two-hit ball over seven innings at the New York Yankees on June 7. He tossed 106 pitches, the fourth straight time he had thrown more than 100.
Roberts said he has been mindful of Yamamoto’s pitch count, but also noted Yamamoto was used to throwing 120 pitches or more when he pitched in Japan.
With Bobby Miller returning to the rotation for Wednesday’s game at Colorado, the Dodgers will still have a five-man starting staff. Clayton Kershaw will also make his first rehab start this week.
Los Angeles’ rotation went into Sunday’s game with the majors’ seventh-lowest ERA at 3.49.
The Dodgers also placed right-hander Michael Grove on the IL with a right intercostal strain. Right-handers J.P. Feyereisen and Michael Petersen were called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City. To make room for Petersen on the 40-man roster, right-hander Joe Kelly was transferred to the 60-day IL.
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