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As the chaotic final stretch of the Eastern Conference wild-card race continues, Friday’s schedule includes four teams that could occupy the final spot when the Eastern schedule concludes April 17.

The Washington Capitals, fresh off a loss against the Pittsburgh Penguins, are skating against the Carolina Hurricanes (7 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+). Don’t feel bad for the Caps; the Canes are also on the second half of a back-to-back as they lost to the Boston Bruins on Thursday night.

Elsewhere, the Detroit Red Wings are hosting the New York Rangers (7 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+). Given the way the winds are currently blowing, the Rangers will be the team taking on whichever club winds up in the final wild-card slot.

Finally, the Buffalo Sabres and Philadelphia Flyers will take the ice (7 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+) in a matchup that will be devastating for the losing team’s playoff chances.

Heading into Friday night’s action, the Flyers (83 points, 28 regulation wins) hold the No. 3 spot in the Metro Division, the idle New York Islanders (83, 25) have the second wild card, while the Caps (82, 28), Red Wings (82, 26) and Sabres (77, 30) are chasing.

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
Clinching scenarios
Friday’s schedule
Thursday’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 New York Islanders
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


Clinching scenarios

The idle Toronto Maple Leafs will clinch a playoff berth if any of the following occurs on Friday night:

The idle Tampa Bay Lightning will clinch a playoff berth if the Capitals, Red Wings and Flyers all lose in regulation.


Friday’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).

Philadelphia Flyers at Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m.
New York Rangers at Detroit Red Wings, 7 p.m.
Washington Capitals at Carolina Hurricanes, 7 p.m.
Colorado Avalanche at Edmonton Oilers, 9 p.m.
Vegas Golden Knights at Arizona Coyotes, 10 p.m.
Seattle Kraken at Anaheim Ducks, 10 p.m.


Thursday’s scoreboard

Tampa Bay Lightning 7, Montreal Canadiens 4
Florida Panthers 6, Ottawa Senators 0
Pittsburgh Penguins 4, Washington Capitals 1
Boston Bruins 4, Carolina Hurricanes 1
New York Islanders 4, Columbus Blue Jackets 2
Nashville Predators 6, St. Louis Blues 3
Colorado Avalanche 5, Minnesota Wild 2
Winnipeg Jets 5, Calgary Flames 2
Los Angeles Kings 2, San Jose Sharks 1


Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

Points: 105
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 5
Points pace: 112
Next game: vs. FLA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 101
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 5
Points pace: 108
Next game: @ BOS (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 95
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 7
Points pace: 104
Next game: @ MTL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 93
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 6
Points pace: 100
Next game: @ PIT (Saturday)
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: 48.5%
Tragic number: 13

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 83
Next game: vs. PHI (Friday)
Playoff chances: 0.7%
Tragic number: 6

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 77
Next game: vs. NJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 1

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 77
Next game: vs. TOR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 1


Metropolitan Division

Points: 106
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 6
Points pace: 114
Next game: @ DET (Friday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 101
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 6
Points pace: 109
Next game: vs. WSH (Friday)
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: 53.5%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 83
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 6
Points pace: 90
Next game: vs. NSH (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 46.5%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 82
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 90
Next game: @ CAR (Friday)
Playoff chances: 36.1%
Tragic number: 13

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 87
Next game: vs. TB (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 14.5%
Tragic number: 10

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 82
Next game: @ OTT (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0.3%
Tragic number: 5

Points: 62
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 67
Next game: vs. PHI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E


Central Division

Points: 105
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 6
Points pace: 113
Next game: @ CHI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 102
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 6
Points pace: 110
Next game: @ EDM (Friday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 98
Regulation wins: 41
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 6
Points pace: 106
Next game: @ MIN (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 92
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 6
Points pace: 99
Next game: @ NYI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.8%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 84
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 91
Next game: @ SJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0.6%
Tragic number: 5

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 89
Next game: vs. WPG (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0.3%
Tragic number: 4

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 73
Next game: vs. VGK (Friday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 49
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 54
Next game: vs. DAL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E


Pacific Division

Points: 102
Regulation wins: 41
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 6
Points pace: 110
Next game: @ LA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 95
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 8
Points pace: 105
Next game: vs. COL (Friday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 92
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 7
Points pace: 101
Next game: @ ARI (Friday)
Playoff chances: 99.8%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 91
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 6
Points pace: 98
Next game: vs. VAN (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.4%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 82
Next game: @ ANA (Friday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 80
Next game: vs. EDM (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 54
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 58
Next game: vs. SEA (Friday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 42
Regulation wins: 13
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Points pace: 46
Next game: vs. STL (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: 42
Regulation wins: 13

Points: 49
Regulation wins: 16

Points: 54
Regulation wins: 19

Points: 62
Regulation wins: 19

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 25

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 19

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 24

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 29

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 25

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 31

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 30

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 29

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 30

Points: 82
Regulation wins: 26

Points: 82
Regulation wins: 28

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.

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Source: Texas Tech to again start QB Hammond

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Source: Texas Tech to again start QB Hammond

Texas Tech redshirt freshman Will Hammond will start at quarterback against Oklahoma State on Saturday, a source told ESPN, marking his second straight start for the No. 14 Red Raiders.

Starting quarterback Behren Morton is recovering from a leg injury and will be available for the game, the source added, as he continues to improve. The Red Raiders have a bye after this week’s matchup with the Cowboys that will afford Morton more time to get healthy, with growing optimism he’ll return after the bye.

Hammond started last week’s 26-22 loss to Arizona State, finishing 22-for-37 for 167 yards and two touchdowns, along with 47 yards rushing and a rushing score for the Red Raiders.

Texas Tech’s offense struggled for three quarters against ASU, but Hammond led two late scoring drives that he capped with a 1-yard touchdown run and a 12-yard touchdown pass.

He also ran in a two-point conversion to give Texas Tech a late lead, only to have the comeback foiled by a late ASU touchdown drive led by quarterback Sam Leavitt in the final minute of play.

Morton has put together a dominant season for the Red Raiders. Prior to the injury, he completed 68.4 percent of his passes, throwing for 1,501 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Morton’s improved health will be crucial for Texas Tech’s finishing stretch. They play at Kansas State on Nov. 1 and host No. 11 BYU on Nov. 8.

Oklahoma State has lost six consecutive games, including a 49-17 loss to Cincinnati on Saturday night.

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Ex-QB McCarron running for Alabama Lt. Gov.

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Ex-QB McCarron running for Alabama Lt. Gov.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Former University of Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron, who helped lead the team to back-to-back national championships, announced Thursday that he is running for lieutenant governor of Alabama.

McCarron made the announcement in a video posted to YouTube on Thursday. McCarron, a first-time candidate, described himself as a political outsider. He cited conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated in September, as his inspiration to “get off the sidelines.” McCarron, who is running as a Republican, also stressed his 2016 endorsement of President Donald Trump.

“Today, Alabama’s conservative and cultural values are under attack from every direction. That’s why Charlie Kirk’s assassination affected so many of us so deeply,” McCarron said in the video.

McCarron is seeking to be the latest figure to channel sports fame into a political win. Former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2020 and is running for governor of Alabama. Former Auburn basketball coach Bruce Pearl had considered a run for Senate but decided against it.

“The Montgomery insiders and career politicians have had their chance. It’s time for political newcomers and outsider candidates like me to lead the battle,” McCarron said.

McCarron joins a crowded GOP field that includes Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen, Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate, pastor Dean Odle and businessperson Nicole Jones Wadsworth.

McCarron was the Crimson Tide’s starting quarterback and led the team to national championship wins in the 2012 and 2013 seasons. He was a runner-up for the Heisman Trophy and went on to play for the Cincinnati Bengals and other NFL teams.

The state primaries are May 19, 2026.

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OU installing padding on walls, weeks after injury

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OU installing padding on walls, weeks after injury

Oklahoma is installing padding around Owen Field after receiver Keontez Lewis ran headfirst into a brick wall three weeks ago.

A school spokesman confirmed padding will be added to both end-zone walls and the sideline walls outside the team bench areas in time for Saturday’s game between No. 13 Oklahoma and No. 8 Ole Miss. The OU Daily, the school’s student newspaper, was first to report the change.

Lewis was injured in the first quarter of Oklahoma’s 44-0 win over Kent State on Oct. 4. A pass by Michael Hawkins Jr. was a bit overthrown, and Lewis’ momentum took him into an unpadded section of the wall behind the end zone. He was carted off, prompting concerns from fans.

Most of the wall was not padded, and it is close to the field boundaries. Oklahoma coach Brent Venables had said the plans for the change were in the works within days of the injury.

Lewis played the next week against Texas, but missed Saturday’s 26-7 victory over South Carolina. He is listed on the SEC injury report as doubtful for this Saturday’s game.

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