NHL playoff watch: Stars, Avalanche face off in key clash in Central race

Published

2 years ago

April 7, 2024

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After an 11-game Super Saturday, it’s a somewhat milder nine-game Sunday of action in the NHL. But the playoff implications of the contests is no less grand.

Perhaps the most intriguing matchup is the late one, as the Dallas Stars visit the Colorado Avalanche (10 p.m. ET, ESPN).

The Stars are three points ahead of the Avs, but Colorado has a 40-37 edge in regulation wins (the first tiebreaker). At stake is the No. 1 seed in the Central Division, likely the Western Conference and possibly the entire league as the Stanley Cup playoffs approach on April 20. A regulation win here for Dallas would put it five points ahead with just four games remaining for each team.

Following Sunday’s action, the Stars close out against the Buffalo Sabres, Winnipeg Jets, Seattle Kraken and St. Louis Blues. Colorado has upcoming games versus the Minnesota Wild, Jets, Vegas Golden Knights and Edmonton Oilers. The latter set of games would seem more challenging, but there have been some shocking results recently.

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
Sunday’s schedule
Saturday’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 Pittsburgh Penguins
M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 New York Islanders

Western Conference

C1 Dallas Stars vs. WC2 Vegas Golden Knights
C2 Colorado Avalanche vs. C3 Winnipeg Jets
P1 Vancouver Canucks vs. WC1 Nashville Predators
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).

Buffalo Sabres at Detroit Red Wings, 1 p.m. (TNT)
Minnesota Wild at Chicago Blackhawks, 3:30 p.m.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Carolina Hurricanes, 5 p.m.
Ottawa Senators at Washington Capitals, 6 p.m.
Arizona Coyotes at San Jose Sharks, 6 p.m.
Nashville Predators at New Jersey Devils, 7 p.m.
Montreal Canadiens at New York Rangers, 7 p.m.
St. Louis Blues at Anaheim Ducks, 8 p.m.
Dallas Stars at Colorado Avalanche, 10 p.m. (ESPN)

Saturday’s scoreboard

Pittsburgh Penguins 5, Tampa Bay Lightning 4
Boston Bruins 3, Florida Panthers 2 (OT)
Chicago Blackhawks 3, Dallas Stars 2
Winnipeg Jets 4, Minnesota Wild 2
San Jose Sharks 3, St. Louis Blues 2 (OT)
Toronto Maple Leafs 4, Montreal Canadiens 2
New Jersey Devils 4, Ottawa Senators 3
Columbus Blue Jackets 6, Philadelphia Flyers 2
New York Islanders 2, Nashville Predators 0
Edmonton Oilers 4, Calgary Flames 2
Los Angeles Kings 6, Vancouver Canucks 3

Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

Points: 107
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 4
Points pace: 113
Next game: vs. CAR (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 102
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 4
Points pace: 107
Next game: vs. OTT (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 97
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 6
Points pace: 105
Next game: vs. PIT (Monday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 93
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 5
Points pace: 99
Next game: vs. CBJ (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 82
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 89
Next game: vs. BUF (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 43.4%
Tragic number: 11

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 5
Points pace: 84
Next game: @ DET (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 2.1%
Tragic number: 6

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 76
Next game: @ WSH (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 76
Next game: @ NYR (Sunday
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Metropolitan Division

Points: 108
Regulation wins: 41
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 5
Points pace: 115
Next game: vs. MTL (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 103
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 5
Points pace: 110
Next game: vs. CBJ (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 85
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 5
Points pace: 91
Next game: vs. NYR (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 57%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 83
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 5
Points pace: 88
Next game: @ TOR (Monday)
Playoff chances: 18.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 83
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 87
Next game: @ MTL (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 46.7%
Tragic number: 8

Points: 82
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 89
Next game: vs. OTT (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 31.5%
Tragic number: 11

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 5
Points pace: 83
Next game: vs. TOR (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0.5%
Tragic number: 5

Points: 64
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 5
Points pace: 68
Next game: @ CAR (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Central Division

Points: 105
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 5
Points pace: 112
Next game: @ COL (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 102
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 5
Points pace: 109
Next game: vs. DAL (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 100
Regulation wins: 42
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 5
Points pace: 107
Next game: @ NSH (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 92
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 5
Points pace: 98
Next game: @ NJ (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.8%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 85
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 5
Points pace: 91
Next game: @ ANA (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0.8%
Tragic number: 3

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 87
Next game: @ CHI (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0.3%
Tragic number: 1

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 75
Next game: @ SJ (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 51
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 55
Next game: vs. MIN (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Pacific Division

Points: 102
Regulation wins: 41
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 5
Points pace: 109
Next game: vs. VGK (Monday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 99
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 6
Points pace: 107
Next game: vs. VGK (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 93
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 5
Points pace: 99
Next game: @ ANA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.4%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 92
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 6
Points pace: 99
Next game: @ VAN (Monday)
Playoff chances: 99.7%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 83
Next game: vs. ARI (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 79
Next game: @ SJ (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 54
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 5
Points pace: 58
Next game: vs. STL (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 44
Regulation wins: 13
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 48
Next game: vs. SJ (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: 44
Regulation wins: 13

Points: 51
Regulation wins: 17

Points: 54
Regulation wins: 19

Points: 64
Regulation wins: 20

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 26

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 19

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 24

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 29

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 26

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 32

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 31

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 29

Points: 82
Regulation wins: 26

Points: 82
Regulation wins: 28

Points: 83
Regulation wins: 28

Points: 85
Regulation wins: 29

Sports

Bedard hurt on last-second faceoff, out for Sat.

Published

9 hours ago

December 13, 2025

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Bedard hurt on last-second faceoff, out for Sat.

Associated Press

Dec 12, 2025, 11:51 PM ET

ST. LOUIS — Chicago star Connor Bedard was injured on a last-second faceoff in a 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Friday night and will miss the Blackhawks’ game Saturday.

With 0.8 seconds left, Bedard attempted to win the draw to give Chicago one last chance, but he was knocked down by Blues center Brayden Schenn. Bedard grasped at his right shoulder and immediately headed to the locker room, accompanied by a trainer, while his teammates remained on the ice and the bench.

“He won’t play tomorrow,” Chicago coach Jeff Blashill said of the team’s game at home against Detroit on Saturday night. “I won’t know more info tomorrow, so don’t ask me tomorrow. At some point through the weekend, I’ll know more, so I’d probably have more info come Monday.”

Asked whether Bedard’s injury would be only short term, Blashill offered few details.

“I’d hate to say that without knowing the information,” he said. “Until we get the information, again, he’s not going to play tomorrow.”

Bedard ranked fifth in the NHL in points heading into the game, and he assisted on both of Chicago’s goals in the loss. He now has 12 goals and 25 assists.

He was pushed into desperation mode when the Blues iced the puck and a half a second was put back on the clock. Blashill said he’d have to see the play again, but his initial impression was that nothing dirty occurred on the play.

“Honestly, I think it’s a freak accident,” Blashill said, “to be honest with you.”

Sports

Canucks trade Hughes to Wild for 3 players, pick

Published

12 hours ago

December 13, 2025

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Canucks trade Hughes to Wild for 3 players, pick

Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes was traded to the Minnesota Wild, the teams announced on Friday. It was a blockbuster deal in which Vancouver received three roster players — defenseman Zeev Buium, center Marco Rossi and winger Liam Ohgren — as well as a first-round pick.

It’s one of the boldest moves in Wild franchise history, and signals GM Bill Guerin’s hunger to win now after signing Kirill Kaprizov to the richest contract in NHL history this summer. The Wild have not advanced past the first round of the playoffs since 2015.

Hughes, 26, is a 2018 first-round pick of the Canucks and considered one of the best defensemen in the league. He is one of six players already named to the Team USA Olympic men’s hockey team. Hughes won the Norris Trophy in 2023-24 when he recorded a career-high 92 points for a first-place Canucks team.

However, a Hughes trade became increasingly inevitable after the Canucks got off to a poor start. Vancouver entered Friday in last place in the Pacific Division at 11-17-3 with a minus-24 goal differential. Late last month, the Vancouver front office sent a memo across the league that it was open to trading any of its pending unrestricted free agents. That did not include Hughes, who is under contract through the end of next season.

However, it empowered many general managers across the league to inquire about Hughes, who did not have any trade protection.

The Canucks got plenty in return. Buium, 20, is a 2024 first-round pick of the Wild and can inherit Hughes’ role as a true power-play quarterback. Rossi, 24, and Ohgren, 21, are also former first-round picks of the Wild.

Though Hughes never asked for a trade, many around the NHL believed he did not want to re-sign in Vancouver after his contract expired in the summer of 2027. The prevailing belief is that Hughes preferred to play for a United States-based team on the East Coast. Hughes spends his offseason in Michigan. His brothers, Jack and Luke, play for the New Jersey Devils.

According to sources, the Devils did make a trade offer for Hughes to reunite him with his two younger brothers. However, New Jersey couldn’t match what Minnesota gave up.

Minnesota began engaging with Vancouver about a week ago, according to sources, and the deal came together quickly. The Canucks received at least six other offers, according to sources, but Vancouver believed Minnesota presented the strongest overall package that can best set the team up for the future.

Hughes is not eligible to sign an extension with the Wild until July 1.

Sports

San Jose State receiver Scudero to enter portal

Published

17 hours ago

December 12, 2025

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San Jose State receiver Scudero to enter portal

Max OlsonDec 12, 2025, 03:53 PM ET
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- Covers the Big 12
- Joined ESPN in 2012
- Graduate of the University of Nebraska

San Jose State wide receiver Danny Scudero, the leading receiver in FBS this season, will enter the NCAA transfer portal when it opens in January, he announced Friday.

The 5-foot-9, 174-pound redshirt sophomore caught 88 passes for 1,291 yards and 10 touchdowns in his first season with the Spartans, becoming a semifinal for the Biletnikoff Award and earning first-team All-Mountain West honors.

Scudero is expected to be one of the more coveted wide receivers available when the transfer portal officially opens on Jan. 2 and has two more seasons of eligibility remaining.

Scudero spent two years at Sacramento State before transferring to San Jose State after the 2024 season. He broke out with 189 receiving yards to open the season against Central Michigan and surpassed 100 yards in five more games, including a career-high 215 and two touchdowns against Hawaii.

Scudero’s 88 receptions ranked fourth-most in FBS, and he leads all receivers this season with 16 catches of 30 or more yards.

The Spartans produced the No. 14 passing offense in FBS this season but went 3-9 in their second year under coach Ken Niumatalolo.