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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: 85
Regulation wins: 29

Points: 89
Regulation wins: 30

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Jays put Santander on IL with shoulder injury

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Jays put Santander on IL with shoulder injury

TORONTO — The Blue Jays put slugger Anthony Santander on the 10-day injured list Friday because of left shoulder inflammation and recalled outfielder Alan Roden from Triple-A Buffalo.

Santander is batting .179 with six home runs and 18 RBI in 50 games. The veteran switch hitter has missed a handful of games because of left hip and left shoulder soreness over the past three weeks.

Santander signed a $92.5 million, five-year contract with Toronto in January after eight seasons with Baltimore. He hit a career-best 44 home runs for the Orioles last season.

The outfielder had an MRI after Thursday’s 12-0 win over the Athletics, when he was 0 for 2 with two strikeouts and two walks, Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. The team was still determining whether the next steps would include a cortisone injection or rehabilitation, the manager said.

“I think it just got to the point to where it was bothering him,” Schneider said before Friday’s game against the Athletics. “You can’t really put the work that you want to put in volume-wise, and we just think it’s best for him right now.”

Roden rejoins the Blue Jays after batting .178 with one home run and five RBI in 28 games for Toronto earlier this season, his first in the majors. Roden hit .361 with three homers and 12 RBI in 18 games at Buffalo after being sent down May 7.

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Twins reinstate Buxton after 11-game absence

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Twins reinstate Buxton after 11-game absence

SEATTLE — The Minnesota Twins reinstated center fielder Byron Buxton from the seven-day concussion injured list Friday before beginning a three-game series in Seattle, two weeks after he collided with shortstop Carlos Correa in pursuit of a shallow fly ball.

Buxton missed 11 games after the collision, which also sent Correa into the concussion protocol. Correa needed only the minimum seven-day stay on the injured list and missed five games.

To make room for Buxton, outfielder Carson McCusker was sent back to Triple-A St. Paul. Buxton was batting .261 with an .834 OPS and 18 extra-base hits, including 10 homers, before he was hurt. He also had 33 runs, 27 RBIs and 8 steals in his first 41 games.

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Tigers place pitcher Jobe (elbow) on 15-day IL

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Tigers place pitcher Jobe (elbow) on 15-day IL

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Detroit Tigers placed pitcher Jackson Jobe on the 15-day injured list Friday because of a right elbow injury.

Jobe, a rookie right-hander, mentioned discomfort after leaving his last start, against San Francisco on Wednesday. The injury was described as a Grade 1 right flexor strain, and the move was retroactive to Thursday.

“He reported that he had a little bit of soreness,” Detroit manager AJ Hinch said before the MLB-leading Tigers opened a three-game series in Kansas City. “So we took him immediately to get evaluated. When the test came back and the doctors read it, they discovered this flexor strain.

“I try not to rush to any judgment until we see how his rest goes, and see how his rehab goes. We’ll listen to the doctors and the pitching coaches on that.”

The 22-year-old Jobe is 4-1 with a 4.22 ERA in 10 starts this season. He has 39 strikeouts and 27 walks in 49 innings.

Right-handed pitcher Dylan Smith was selected from Triple-A Toledo and will make his major league debut with the Tigers. To make room for Smith on the 40-man roster, right-hander Alex Cobb has been transferred to the 60-day injured list.

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