NHL playoff watch: Stars, Avalanche face off in key clash in Central race
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
TCU quarterback Josh Hoover intends to enter the NCAA transfer portal, he announced on social media Thursday.
Hoover will be one of the most productive and coveted players available, as he projects to have the most passing yards (9,629) and touchdown passes (71) of any player returning to college football next season. Hoover says he will not play for TCU in the Alamo Bowl.
Hoover reflected on his decision in a post on Instagram, writing, “I’ve prayed about this and decided that I will be entering the transfer portal,” and thanking his Horned Frogs coaches and teammates, among others.
“I’m so thankful to have had the opportunity to represent TCU for an incredible 4 years,” his post continued. “It has been a dream to be able to play and graduate from this university and I will forever be grateful for that.”
Hoover has been TCU’s starting quarterback since midway through the 2023 season, throwing for 439 yards and four touchdowns in his first start against BYU. In 2024, he set a school record with 3,949 passing yards.
Hoover will draw interest from the highest levels of the sport, as he is already considered a draftable prospect. Instead of entering the draft, sources said he intends to play out his final year of eligibility and polish his game for the next level. He will bring with him 19 wins as a starter over his four seasons, including nine wins in 2024 and eight this season.
He blistered North Carolina this year in a season-opening blowout, throwing for 284 yards and two touchdowns. He had four touchdown passes in the regular-season finale against Cincinnati and threw for 379 yards and five touchdowns against SMU in September.
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Adam Rittenberg
Ohio University cited football coach Brian Smith’s romantic relationships, including one he admitted to with a student, as well as an allegation of public intoxication in a letter stating its intent to fire him for cause.
Smith, put on leave Dec. 1, was fired Wednesday for what the university called “serious professional misconduct and participating in activities that reflect unfavorably on the University.” The school did not provide specifics on Smith’s misconduct before Thursday.
In the intent to terminate letter, obtained by multiple media outlets through a public records requests, university president Lori Stewart Gonzalez wrote that Smith’s “extramarital affairs,” including one with an undergraduate student, brought “disrepute, scandal and ridicule,” which violated his employment agreement with the school.
Gonzalez also wrote that Smith told athletic director Slade Larscheid that he “carried on an affair” while at the Ohio University Inn, where he could be observed by athletes’ families, donors and others connected to the university. Smith had been under contract through the 2029 season and was owed about $2.5 million in remaining salary.
Rex Elliott, Smith’s attorney, responded in a letter to Gonzalez, obtained by media outlets through a records requests, and stated that Smith “didn’t participate in an extramarital affair and you know it.” Elliott added that Smith and his wife separated earlier this year, were going through a divorce and were living apart during the fall. Smith had been living at the OU Inn while looking for permanent housing and had told Larscheid that he saw athletes’ families there while with a 41-year-old woman he was seeing at the time, after he broke off the relationship with the Ohio student.
Elliott wrote that Ohio University had no policy prohibiting employees from dating students, and that Smith and a student engaged in a “perfectly appropriate consensual adult relationship that did not violate any OU rule or policy.” He said Smith and the student dated for about four months until early November, and that the student was part of the athletic department.
Elliott also responded to Gonzalez citing a reprimand for Smith for consuming alcohol in his office at the school, as a reason for his termination. Gonzalez wrote that the university was aware of a public appearance where Smith “smelled strongly of alcohol” and was “intoxicated in your demeanor.” Elliott wrote that Smith has “never been inebriated at an OU event” and that the reprimand and a meeting that occurred around it, which took place in late November, never mentioned other concerns related to Smith’s alcohol use. He added that Ohio University serves and encourages alcohol usage at other university-sponsored events and cited examples of faculty and staff drinking in their offices and other campus facilities.
“The reprimand related to coaches toasting in the [football] offices after home victories,” Elliott wrote to Gonzalez. “Finally, the coaches were toasting with Bourbon provided by your husband to Coach Smith in his office.”
In his letter, sent before Ohio terminated Smith, Elliott said Smith would “vigorously pursue” litigation for wrongful termination if Ohio fired him for cause.
Smith went 8-4 is his lone season as Ohio’s coach, after being promoted to the role from offensive coordinator. He had been on the football staff since 2022.
-
Adam Rittenberg
Indiana is expected to finalize a new three-year contract with offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan, a source confirmed to ESPN on Thursday, as the school reinforces its commitment to coach Curt Cignetti’s staff.
The deal will keep Shanahan as Indiana’s offensive playcaller for the 2026 season and potentially through 2028. Shanahan has worked on Cignetti’s staffs since 2016, at IU-Pennsylvania, Elon and James Madison before coming to Indiana in 2024.
Indiana last week secured a new contract for defensive coordinator Bryant Haines that will make him among the nation’s highest-paid assistants. Cignetti lost only one assistant from the 2024 staff and will have at least his two primary coordinators back next fall.
The (Bloomington) Herald-Times first reported Shanahan’s new deal with the Hoosiers, who secured their first outright Big Ten title since 1945 and have the top seed entering the College Football Playoff. Indiana will face Oklahoma or Alabama on Jan. 1 in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl presented by Prudential.
Led by Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Indiana’s offense ranks third nationally in scoring (41.9 PPG) and rose to 10th in rushing (221 YPG), a significant increase from 2024. Since Shanahan’s arrival, Indiana leads the FBS in scoring at 41.6 points per game.
Shanahan, 35, is a former Pitt wide receiver who started his career at his alma mater before joining Cignetti.
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