NHL playoff watch: The latest Western Conference bracket

Published

10 months ago

April 13, 2024

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The Western Conference does not officially have its eight playoff teams identified yet (though that could change after Friday night’s action). But even when that octet is confirmed, the seeding remains to be clarified.

Heading into Friday’s five-game slate, the current matchups are as follows:

C1 Dallas Stars vs. WC2 Vegas Golden Knights
C2 Winnipeg Jets vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche
P1 Vancouver Canucks vs. WC1 Nashville Predators
P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings

What can change?

Right off the top, we’ll point out that the St. Louis Blues can be eliminated if they lose to the Carolina Hurricanes (8 p.m. ET, NHL Network) and the Vegas Golden Knights get a point against the Minnesota Wild (10 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+). But about those seedings …

The Knights are three points and four regulation wins behind the Los Angeles Kings for the No. 3 seed in the Pacific Division, with the Edmonton Oilers currently in the No. 2 spot.

The Oilers host the Arizona Coyotes (9 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+), and they still have a chance to overtake the Vancouver Canucks for the Pacific crown. Heading into this contest, the Oilers are four points and four regulation wins behind the Canucks but have two games in hand — and a game against the Canucks on Saturday.

Whoever does win the Pacific appears likely to take on the first Western wild card in the opening round of the playoffs. As of now, that team is the Nashville Predators, who skate against the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday (8:30 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+). The Preds cannot catch any teams ahead of them in the Central. With 95 points and 36 regulation wins, they are even in points and regulation wins with the Kings, and three points and four regulation wins ahead of the Knights.

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
Fridya’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 Pittsburgh Penguins
M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 New York Islanders

Western Conference

C1 Dallas Stars vs. WC2 Vegas Golden Knights
C2 Winnipeg Jets vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche
P1 Vancouver Canucks vs. WC1 Nashville Predators
P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings

Clinching scenarios

1. The Vegas Golden Knights will clinch a playoff berth if they defeat the Minnesota Wild in regulation AND the St. Louis blues lose to the Carolina Hurricanes in any fashion. The Knights can also clinch a berth if they win against the Wild in overtime or shootout AND the Blues lose to the Canes in regulation.

2. The Edmonton Oilers will clinch home-ice advantage in Round 1 if they have any result other than a regulation loss to the Arizona Coyotes.

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).

Carolina Hurricanes at St. Louis Blues, 8 p.m. (NHLN)
Nashville Predators at Chicago Blackhawks, 8:30 p.m.
Arizona Coyotes at Edmonton Oilers, 9 p.m.
Minnesota Wild at Vegas Golden Knights, 10 p.m.
Calgary Flames at Anaheim Ducks, 10 p.m.

Thursday’s scoreboard

Buffalo Sabres 4, Washington Capitals 2
New Jersey Devils 6, Toronto Maple Leafs 5
Ottawa Senators 3, Tampa Bay Lightning 2 (SO)
Florida Panthers 4, Columbus Blue Jackets 0
Philadelphia Flyers 4, New York Rangers 1
Pittsburgh Penguins 6, Detroit Red Wings (OT)
New York Islanders 3, Montreal Canadiens 2 (OT)
Winnipeg Jets 3, Dallas Stars 0
San Jose Sharks 3, Seattle Kraken 1
Los Angeles Kings 4, Calgary Flames 1

Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

Points: 107
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 3
Points pace: 111
Next game: @ PIT (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 106
Regulation wins: 41
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 2
Points pace: 1089
Next game: vs. BUF (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 101
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 3
Points pace: 105
Next game: vs. DET (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 96
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 3
Points pace: 100
Next game: @ WSH (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 85
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 88
Next game: @ TOR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 37.1%
Tragic number: 5

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 83
Next game: @ FLA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 77
Next game: vs. MTL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 76
Next game: @ OTT (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Metropolitan Division

Points: 110
Regulation wins: 42
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 2
Points pace: 113
Next game: vs. NYI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 107
Regulation wins: 42
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 3
Points pace: 111
Next game: @ STL (Friday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 89
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 3
Points pace: 92
Next game: @ NYR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 92.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 86
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 3
Points pace: 89
Next game: vs. BOS (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 42.0%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 85
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 88
Next game: vs. TB (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 18.9%
Tragic number: 5

Points: 85
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 87
Next game: vs. NJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 9.1%
Tragic number: 3

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 83
Next game: @ PHI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 64
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 66
Next game: @ NSH (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Central Division

Points: 109
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 2
Points pace: 112
Next game: vs. SEA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 104
Regulation wins: 43
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 3
Points pace: 108
Next game: @ COL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 104
Regulation wins: 41
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 3
Points pace: 108
Next game: vs. WPG (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 95
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 3
Points pace: 99
Next game: @ CHI (Friday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 89
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 92
Next game: vs. CAR (Friday)
Playoff chances: 1.0%
Tragic number: 3

Points: 83
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 87
Next game: @ VGK (Friday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 76
Next game: @ EDM (Friday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 51
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 54
Next game: vs. NSH (Friday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Pacific Division

Points: 105
Regulation wins: 42
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 3
Points pace: 109
Next game: @ EDM (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

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: 95
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 3
Points pace: 99
Next game: vs. ANA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
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: 99.1%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 83
Next game: @ DAL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 79
Next game: @ ANA (Friday)
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: 47
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 49
Next game: vs. MIN (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: 47
Regulation wins: 14

Points: 51
Regulation wins: 17

Points: 57
Regulation wins: 20

Points: 64
Regulation wins: 20

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 20

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 27

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 24

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 29

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 27

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 32

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 33

Points: 83
Regulation wins: 30

Points: 85
Regulation wins: 27

Points: 85
Regulation wins: 29

Points: 89
Regulation wins: 30

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Sources: IF Kim, Rays agree to 2-year, $29M deal

Published

12 hours ago

January 29, 2025

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Sources: IF Kim, Rays agree to 2-year, M deal

Infielder Ha-Seong Kim and the Tampa Bay Rays are in agreement on a two-year, $29 million contract that includes an opt-out after the first season, sources told ESPN, adding a Gold Glove winner to a Rays team that places significant emphasis on defense.

Kim, 29, who is expected to return from shoulder surgery in May, likely will start at shortstop but also has played second and third base, with his Gold Glove coming in a utility role.

The deal, which will pay Kim $13 million this season, is the most Tampa Bay has guaranteed in free agency for a position player since signing outfielder Greg Vaughn for four years and $34 million in 1999.

Before the partial tear of his right labrum required surgery, Kim was expected to land a free agent deal in the nine-figure range. With his opt-out, he can join a free agent class next year that’s thin on infielders, with shortstop Bo Bichette and second baseman Luis Arraez the only players of Kim’s caliber.

He arrived from Korea in 2021, signing with the San Diego Padres as a bat-first middle infielder. While the power Kim displayed in Korea didn’t show up as frequently as it did with the Kiwoom Heroes, his glove was a revelation, and in four seasons with the Padres, he posted double-digit wins above replacement despite never slugging above .400.

Tampa Bay enters the 2025 season with playoff aspirations but had been relatively quiet over the winter, signing catcher Danny Jansen and trading left-hander Jeffrey Springs to Oakland. The Rays used Jose Caballero and Taylor Walls at shortstop last season and are expected to do the same this year before the return of Kim.

Their infield already was a strength, with first baseman Yandy Diaz, second baseman Brandon Lowe and star-in-the-making Junior Caminero at third, with Christopher Morel, Curtis Mead, Jonathan Aranda and Richie Palacios also capable to playing on the dirt.

Shortstop Wander Franco, who was expected to be the Rays’ long-term solution at the position after signing an 11-year deal, remains on the restricted list while facing charges in the Dominican Republic of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation against a minor and human trafficking.

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Fantasy baseball rankings, projections, strategy and cheat sheets

Published

12 hours ago

January 29, 2025

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Fantasy baseball rankings, projections, strategy and cheat sheets

ESPN Fantasy

Jan 29, 2025, 06:53 AM ET

All of your fantasy baseball draft preparation needs collected in one place! Here you’ll find rankings, projections, cheat sheets, analysis and strategy. Check back every day for new content through Opening Day of the 2025 season. If this is your first time playing fantasy baseball, might we recommend starting with the basics: The Playbook: How to play fantasy baseball.

Don’t have a team yet? Create or join a league and then dive into the latest draft-prep material tailored for whatever format you prefer.

The Playbook: Become an expert in 9 innings

•Inning 1: How to play fantasy baseball

•Inning 2: League Formats: Which is right for you?

•Inning 3: Everything you need to know about salary-cap drafts

•Inning 4: How to create the ultimate cheat sheet

•Inning 5: Roster optimization

•Inning 6: Nine must-follow tips

•Inning 7: Staying ahead of league trends

•Inning 8: Using advanced stats to get ahead

•Inning 9: Mastering the 2025 player pool

Rankings and cheat sheets

• Cockcroft: Points-league rankings

• Karabell: Head-to-head categories/rotisserie rankings

Advice from our experts

• Karabell: The top 10 fantasy baseball prospects for 2025 (1/29)

• Karabell: News or Noise (1/24)

• Zola: What to expect from Roki Sasaki and other Asian newcomers (1/15)

• Cockcroft: Reaction to Juan Soto signing with the New York Mets (12/9)

Roster-building essentials

• 2025 Player Projections and Outlooks

• “Hot stove” free agent and player movement tracker

• Live Draft Results

• Closer depth chart

• MLB depth charts

For Dynasty Leaguers

• Dynasty Top 300 (2025 edition coming soon!)

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Steinbrenner: ‘Difficult’ to spend like Dodgers

Published

18 hours ago

January 29, 2025

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Steinbrenner: 'Difficult' to spend like Dodgers

Jan 29, 2025, 09:16 AM ET

New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner weighed in on the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ offseason spending spree, saying it will be even more “difficult” to keep up with the reigning World Series champions.

The Dodgers have spent more than $450 million guaranteed this offseason, pushing their 2025 luxury tax payroll to approximately $390 million.

With the penalties for exceeding the $241 million threshold, the Dodgers’ total payroll for this year likely will be in excess of $500 million.

“It’s difficult for most of us owners to be able to do the kind of things that they’re doing,” Steinbrenner said during an interview with the YES Network that aired Tuesday. “We’ll see if it pays off.”

Despite losing superstar Juan Soto as a free agent to the crosstown rival Mets, the Yankees also have had an active offseason, headlined by Max Fried‘s eight-year, $218 million deal.

The Yankees currently have Major League Baseball’s third-highest luxury tax payroll at just under $303 million. The Phillies are second at just under $308 million, more than $80 million behind the Dodgers.

The Yankees were listed in March 2024 by Forbes as MLB’s most valuable franchise, worth an estimated $7.55 billion, while the Dodgers were the second-most valuable at approximately $5.45 billion.

Los Angeles’ latest free agent addition, sources told ESPN’s Jeff Passan, is reliever Kirby Yates, who agreed to a one-year deal worth $13 million.

The Dodgers also have signed free agents Blake Snell, Tanner Scott, Roki Sasaki, Michael Conforto and Hyeseong Kim; they re-signed Teoscar Hernandez and Blake Treinen; and they reached a multiyear extension with Tommy Edman.

Steinbrenner, whose Yankees lost to the Dodgers in last season’s World Series, added Tuesday that Los Angeles’ busy offseason does not guarantee another championship.

“They still have to have a season that’s relatively injury-free for it to work out for them,” Steinbrenner said. “It’s a long season as you know, and once you get to the postseason, anything can happen. We’ve seen that time and time again. We’ll see who’s there at the end.”