Although six teams have clinched a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference half of the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs bracket, there is a fierce battle being contested for those final two spots among five teams. Two of them play against each other Thursday.
Prior to Thursday’s games, the Capitals hold the second wild-card position, with 85 points and 29 regulation wins through 78 games; the Red Wings (84 and 27 through 78 games) and Penguins (84 and 31 through 78 games) are right on the Caps’ heels, and the Philadelphia Flyers (83 and 28 through 79 games) are just behind them (although their recent 1-6-3 stretch has torpedoed their playoff chances, generally). The Flyers face the tall task of skating against the juggernaut New York Rangers on Thursday night (7 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+).
For all of the non-Detroit teams, another avenue to the playoffs exists by way of the No. 3 seed in the Metro Division. The New York Islanders hold that position, with 87 points and 27 regulation wins through 78 games ahead of their game against the Montreal Canadiens (7:30 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+).
As has been the case seemingly every night for the past two weeks, expect some major movement in the chaotic Eastern wild-card race tonight!
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.
2. The Dallas Stars will clinch the Central Division title with a win over the Winnipeg Jets in any fashion.
Thursday’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).
Points: 101 Regulation wins: 38 Playoff position: P2 Games left: 5 Points pace: 108 Next game: vs. ARI (Friday) Playoff chances: 100% Tragic number: N/A
Points: 93 Regulation wins: 35 Playoff position: P3 Games left: 4 Points pace: 98 Next game: vs. CGY (Thursday) Playoff chances: 99.9% Tragic number: N/A
Points: 92 Regulation wins: 32 Playoff position: WC2 Games left: 4 Points pace: 97 Next game: vs. MIN (Friday) Playoff chances: 99.6% Tragic number: N/A
Points: 79 Regulation wins: 27 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 5 Points pace: 84 Next game: vs. SJ (Thursday) Playoff chances: 0% Tragic number: E
Points: 75 Regulation wins: 29 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 5 Points pace: 80 Next game: @ LA (Thursday) Playoff chances: 0% Tragic number: E
Points: 57 Regulation wins: 20 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 3 Points pace: 59 Next game: vs. CGY (Friday) Playoff chances: 0% Tragic number: E
Points: 45 Regulation wins: 13 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 4 Points pace: 47 Next game: @ SEA (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: 45 Regulation wins: 13
Points: 51 Regulation wins: 17
Points: 57 Regulation wins: 20
Points: 64 Regulation wins: 20
Points: 72 Regulation wins: 20
Points: 72 Regulation wins: 24
Points: 73 Regulation wins: 27
Points: 75 Regulation wins: 29
Points: 79 Regulation wins: 27
Points: 79 Regulation wins: 31
Points: 79 Regulation wins: 32
Points: 83 Regulation wins: 28
Points: 83 Regulation wins: 30
Points: 84 Regulation wins: 27
Points: 84 Regulation wins: 31
Points: 89 Regulation wins: 30
* The Penguins’ first-round pick was traded to the Sharks as part of the Erik Karlsson trade. However, it is top-10 protected.