NHL playoff watch: How high can the Predators climb in the standings?
Heading into the 2023-24 season, it was unclear what to make of the Nashville Predators. GM Barry Trotz had been busy in the offseason, and that included cutting ties with veteran centers Matt Duchene and Ryan Johansen. Andrew Brunette took over as the new head coach.
The club hovered in the mushy middle for much of the season, then lost 9-2 to the Dallas Stars on Feb. 15. The team canceled a planned trip to see U2 at the Sphere in Las Vegas, and subsequently went on an 18-game point streak. That streak was snapped with a couple of lopsided defeats this past Thursday (8-4 to the Arizona Coyotes) and Saturday (7-4 to the Colorado Avalanche), so their contest on Tuesday night against the Boston Bruins (8 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+) is a chance to get back on the right side of the ledger.
But beyond the game against the B’s, how high can this team climb in the standings?
If the Preds win out, they’ll finish with 106 points. The Dallas Stars (currently at 103 points) and Avalanche (100) might be tough to catch, particularly since those clubs are on heaters of their own as of late. But the Winnipeg Jets, with 96 points to the Preds’ 90, are in bit of a tailspin, going 4-5-1 in their past 10.
After the Bruins game, the Preds have seven games remaining, six of which are against teams currently outside of playoff position. The other game is against, you guessed it, Winnipeg. As for the Jets, their final seven games include clashes with the Stars, Avs and Vancouver Canucks.
So based on schedules, it would appear the door is open for Nashville to overtake Winnipeg. What do the projections say? Stathletes’ model has the Jets finishing with 103 points to the Preds’ 100, and gives Winnipeg a 69.2% chance of taking the No. 3 seed compared to 26.7% for Nashville.
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
Tuesday’s schedule
Monday’s scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick
Current playoff matchups
Eastern Conference
A1 Boston Bruins vs. WC1 Tampa Bay Lightning
A2 Florida Panthers vs. A3 Toronto Maple Leafs
M1 New York Rangers vs. WC2 Washington Capitals
M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 Philadelphia Flyers
Western Conference
C1 Dallas Stars vs. WC2 Los Angeles Kings
C2 Colorado Avalanche vs. C3 Winnipeg Jets
P1 Vancouver Canucks vs. WC1 Nashville Predators
P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Vegas Golden Knights
Tuesday’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).
Washington Capitals at Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m.
Florida Panthers at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m.
Pittsburgh Penguins at New Jersey Devils, 7 p.m.
Chicago Blackhawks at New York Islanders, 7:30 p.m.
Boston Bruins at Nashville Predators, 8 p.m.
Ottawa Senators at Minnesota Wild, 8 p.m.
Anaheim Ducks at Calgary Flames, 9 p.m.
Vancouver Canucks at Vegas Golden Knights, 10 p.m.
Monday’s scoreboard
Toronto Maple Leafs 6, Florida Panthers 4
Detroit Red Wings 4, Tampa Bay Lightning 2
Pittsburgh Penguins 5, New York Rangers 2
New York Islanders 4, Philadelphia Flyers 3 (OT)
Columbus Blue Jackets 4, Colorado Avalanche 1
St. Louis Blues 3, Edmonton Oilers 2 (OT)
Winnipeg Jets 4, Los Angeles Kings 3
Seattle Kraken 4, San Jose Sharks 2
Expanded standings
Atlantic Division
Points: 101
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 7
Points pace: 110
Next game: @ NSH (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 99
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 7
Points pace: 108
Next game: @ MTL (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 95
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 8
Points pace: 105
Next game: vs. TB (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 89
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 8
Points pace: 99
Next game: @ TOR (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 82
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 90
Next game: vs. NYR (Friday)
Playoff chances: 28%
Tragic number: 14
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 82
Next game: vs. WSH (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0.3%
Tragic number: 7
Points: 70
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 79
Next game: @ MIN (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 6
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 76
Next game: vs. FLA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 4
Metropolitan Division
Points: 104
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 7
Points pace: 114
Next game: vs. NJ (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 101
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 7
Points pace: 110
Next game: vs. BOS (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 83
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 6
Points pace: 90
Next game: @ BUF (Friday)
Playoff chances: 71.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 82
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 9
Points pace: 92
Next game: @ BUF (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 75.5%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Points pace: 88
Next game: vs. CHI (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 15.6%
Tragic number: 13
Points: 77
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Points pace: 85
Next game: @ NJ (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 1.8%
Tragic number: 11
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Points pace: 84
Next game: vs. PIT (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 6.9%
Tragic number: 10
Points: 62
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 68
Next game: vs. NYI (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Central Division
Points: 103
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 7
Points pace: 113
Next game: vs. EDM (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 100
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 7
Points pace: 109
Next game: @ MIN (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 96
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 7
Points pace: 105
Next game: vs. CGY (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 90
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 8
Points pace: 100
Next game: vs. BOS (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.6%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 84
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 92
Next game: @ NSH (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 1.8%
Tragic number: 11
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 89
Next game: vs. OTT (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 1.4%
Tragic number: 10
Points: 67
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Points pace: 74
Next game: vs. VAN (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Points: 49
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Points pace: 54
Next game: @ NYI (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Pacific Division
Points: 100
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 8
Points pace: 111
Next game: @ VGK (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 95
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 9
Points pace: 107
Next game: @ DAL (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 90
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 8
Points pace: 100
Next game: vs. VAN (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.2%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 8
Points pace: 96
Next game: vs. SEA (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 98.1%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Points pace: 83
Next game: @ LA (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 4
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 82
Next game: vs. ANA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 4
Points: 52
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 57
Next game: @ CGY (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Points: 42
Regulation wins: 13
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Points pace: 47
Next game: vs. LA (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: 42
Regulation wins: 13
Points: 49
Regulation wins: 16
Points: 52
Regulation wins: 18
Points: 62
Regulation wins: 19
Points: 67
Regulation wins: 25
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 18
Points: 70
Regulation wins: 24
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 29
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 25
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 29
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 31
Points: 77
Regulation wins: 28
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 23
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 28
Points: 82
Regulation wins: 26
Points: 84
Regulation wins: 29
* The Penguins’ first-round pick was traded to the Sharks as part of the Erik Karlsson trade. However, it is top-10 protected.
The 151st running of the Kentucky Derby is set to deliver yet another exhilarating race to the finish. From the field to the favorite, here is everything to know about the first leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown.
When is the 2025 Kentucky Derby?
The 2025 Kentucky Derby will take place Saturday at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
What time does the 2025 Kentucky Derby begin?
The post time for the 2025 Kentucky Derby is 6:57 p.m. ET.
How can fans watch?
Coverage of the 2025 Kentucky Derby begins at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC. Peacock will stream early coverage beginning at noon ET.
How many horses run in the Kentucky Derby?
Twenty horses have the chance to compete in the Kentucky Derby.
How do horses qualify for the Kentucky Derby?
To earn a spot in the starting gate of the Kentucky Derby, a horse must compete in a series of designated races from September through mid-April. Points are awarded to the top five finishers in each race. The 20 horses with the most points, or the horses who win their international series, earn a spot in the starting gate in Louisville on the first Saturday in May.
Who is the favorite in the 2025 Kentucky Derby?
Journalism, trained by Michael McCarthy, opened as the 3-1 favorite.
What are the post positions for the 2025 Kentucky Derby?
Post 1: Citizen Bull (20-1 morning line odds)
Post 2: Neoequos (30-1)
Post 3: Final Gambit (30-1)
Post 4: Rodriguez (12-1)
Post 5: American Promise (30-1)
Post 6: Admire Daytona (30-1)
Post 7: Luxor Cafe (15-1)
Post 8: Journalism (3-1)
Post 9: Burnham Square (12-1)
Post 10: Grande (20-1)
Post 11: Flying Mohawk (30-1)
Post 12: East Avenue (20-1)
Post 13: Publisher (20-1)
Post 14: Tiztastic (20-1)
Post 15: Render Judgment (30-1)
Post 16: Coal Battle (30-1)
Post 17: Sandman (6-1)
Post 18: Sovereignty (5-1)
Post 19: Chunk of Gold (30-1)
Post 20: Owen Almighty (30-1)
Alternate: Baeza
Which post has produced the most Kentucky Derby winners?
Post 5 has produced the most winners, with 10.
What three races make up horse racing’s Triple Crown?
The Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes are the three races needed to accomplish the Triple Crown.
Who won the 2024 Kentucky Derby?
Mystik Dan, trained by Kenny McPeek, won last year’s Kentucky Derby at 18-1 odds.
What is the purse for the 2025 Kentucky Derby?
Since 2024, $5 million in prize money has been guaranteed for the Kentucky Derby.
Check out the ESPN horse racing hub page for the latest news and notes ahead of the big race.
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Ryan S. Clark
Add Rick Tocchet to the list of available coaching options on the open market with the Vancouver Canucks announcing Tuesday that Tocchet left the team.
There had been a belief that Tocchet’s time with the Canucks could be coming to an end. Last week saw the discussion of Tocchet’s future with the franchise come under greater focus, with Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford saying they weren’t exercising their option on Tocchet’s contract before adding that they offered him a new, more lucrative deal to remain in Vancouver.
But now? Tocchet joins the list of sought-after coaching candidates and the Canucks become the eighth NHL team that will use this offseason to go through a coaching search.
“After a very long and thorough process, unfortunately Rick has decided to leave the Vancouver Canucks,” Rutherford said in a statement. “This is very disappointing news, but we respect Rick’s decision to move to a new chapter in his hockey career. We did everything in our power to keep him but at the end of the day, Rick felt he needed a change.”
In the same news conference in which Rutherford said the team offered Tocchet a new deal, he also said that Tocchet “may have his mind somewhere else” before adding that he felt Tocchet and his staff did “a good job coaching this team this year” as they did in their first full campaign.
Tocchet was a midseason hire during the 2022-23 season. His first full year in charge saw the Canucks win 50 games, finish with 109 points and win the Pacific Division. He led the Canucks to their first postseason appearance since the 2019-20 season and was a win away from advancing to the Western Conference finals.
Entering this season, the Canucks had most of their players from their playoff team. They started strong with a 15-8-5 record but encountered numerous on-ice and off-ice problems that would prove too large.
Among them was the friction between star forwards J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson. The tension between Miller and Pettersson reached a stage in which Canucks captain Quinn Hughes publicly acknowledged there was an issue with Miller and Pettersson denying such issues.
Miller would be traded to the New York Rangers before the trade deadline, and the Canucks struggled to find someone who could replace his production. They would finish six points behind the St. Louis Blues for the final Western Conference wild-card spot.
Still, Tocchet had the support of Hughes, along with others within the organization who wanted him to stay.
As for what it all means going forward for both parties? Tocchet is among those who will join Mike Sullivan, who parted ways with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday after winning two Stanley Cups in 10 seasons, as one of the most attractive names for teams seeking a new bench boss.
Then there are the teams that need a coach. It’s a list that includes the Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Seattle Kraken, plus the Penguins and now the Canucks.
“I’m choosing to move on from the Vancouver Canucks,” Tocchet said. “Family is a priority, and with my contract lapsing, this becomes an opportune time. While I don’t know where I’m headed, or exactly how this will play out for me over the near term, I feel like this is the right time for me to explore other opportunities around hockey.”
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