NHL playoff watch: Guide to a pivotal 11-game Saturday
Saturdays during the NHL regular season are typically a heavy day on the schedule, and this week is no exception.
While the playoff races (for both spots and positioning) play out, an 11-game slate is on hand. Here’s a guide to each game, including the stakes for both teams.
Buffalo Sabres at Philadelphia Flyers
1 p.m., NHL Network
A push for the playoffs is a bit of a stretch when describing these two clubs. While technically not eliminated, both are more likely to win the draft lottery than make a miraculous run to the postseason. But draft position is important, too, and the loser of this game will have pushed its opponent down that inverse leaderboard.
New York Islanders at Tampa Bay Lightning
2 p.m., ESPN+
Both of these teams need this game. For the Islanders, it’s a chance to make moves on the final Eastern wild card. For the Lightning, an Atlantic Division title remains in reach.
St. Louis Blues at Colorado Avalanche
4:30 p.m., ESPN+
Two of the hottest teams in the league square off, as Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar get to wave hello to 4 Nations Face-Off teammate Jordan Binnington before attempting to put several pucks past him. The Avs are all but locked in to the No. 3 seed in the Central, while the Blues are ably fending off the masses behind them — and could overtake the Wild as the West’s first wild-card team if their winning ways continue.
New Jersey Devils at Minnesota Wild
6 p.m., ESPN+
Whereas the Avs and Blues are on heaters, the Devils and Wild are treading water, hoping they can maintain their postseason tickets. The Devils enter the day as the Metro’s No. 3 seed, nine points ahead of the Islanders. The Wild are two points ahead of the Blues as the first Western wild card, with the Canucks and Flames both within 10 points behind them.
Vegas Golden Knights at Nashville Predators
6:30 p.m., ESPN+
Jonathan Marchessault‘s old teammates are in town for this matchup, and the two clubs’ paths couldn’t be more divergent; the Golden Knights are charging toward another Pacific Division crown (and hoping to put more distance between themselves and the Kings) while the Predators are in the bottom three, though likely at No. 3 exactly given that they are 11 points ahead of the Blackhawks.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Ottawa Senators
7 p.m., ESPN+
If the Blue Jackets are going to solidify their playoff position, a “four-point game” like this one cannot be wasted — earning them those points in the standings and denying the points to the Sens. Columbus enters this game in the second wild-card spot, and eight points back of Ottawa for the first.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Los Angeles Kings
7 p.m., ESPN+
The West Coast swing continues for Toronto in what could be a Stanley Cup Final matchup if the Kings can manage to get past the Oilers in the first round (on their fourth try) and the Leafs can get to the Final for the first time since 1967. Toronto remains in a battle with the Panthers and Lightning for the Atlantic title, while L.A. begins the day seven points back of Vegas for first in the Pacific.
Boston Bruins at Detroit Red Wings
8 p.m., ABC/ESPN+
The playoffs look less and less likely by the day for these Original 6 teams — but the chances aren’t entirely gone. But one of them will need to move quickly; Detroit (3-7-0 in its last 10) and Boston (2-7-1) are losing any buffer to make a miraculous run into the postseason. Will this game be a pivot point?
Calgary Flames at Edmonton Oilers
10 p.m., ESPN+
This is the final Battle of Alberta matchup this regular season, after the teams split a pair of contests in the fall. Will they meet again in the playoffs? The Oilers are doing their part, sitting third in the Pacific. Calgary has work to do, as it is six points behind St. Louis and eight points behind Minnesota, who are each in wild-card position.
New York Rangers at San Jose Sharks
10:30 p.m., ESPN+
Actual roller coasters are jealous of the peaks and valleys that the 2024-25 Rangers have navigated. Nevertheless, the Rangers are right in the mix for the second wild-card spot in the East. To say that anything less than two points from this game would be devastating would be accurate. As for the Sharks, they hold a two-point edge at the bottom of the standings ahead of the Blackhawks.
Dallas Stars at Seattle Kraken
10:30 p.m., ESPN+
Can the Stars catch the Jets to be the top seed in the Central Division? They are six points back with 10 games remaining, so it’s not entirely unreasonable to think so — particularly with another matchup against Winnipeg on April 10. Obviously, a win is expected here over the Kraken, who are jockeying for draft lottery position with the Sabres, Flyers, Bruins and Penguins.
There are less than three weeks left until April 17 and we’ll help you track it all with the NHL playoff watch. As we traverse the final stretch, we’ll provide details on all the playoff races, along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2025 NHL draft lottery.
Note: Playoff chances are via Stathletes.
Jump ahead:
Current playoff matchups
Today’s schedule
Yesterday’s scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick
Current playoff matchups
Eastern Conference
A1 Florida Panthers vs. WC1 Ottawa Senators
A2 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. A3 Tampa Bay Lightning
M1 Washington Capitals vs. WC2 Columbus Blue Jackets
M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 New Jersey Devils
Western Conference
C1 Winnipeg Jets vs. WC2 St. Louis Blues
C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche
P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC1 Minnesota Wild
P2 Los Angeles Kings vs. P3 Edmonton Oilers
Saturday’s games
Note: All times ET. All games not on TNT or NHL Network are available to stream on ESPN+ (local blackout restrictions apply).
Buffalo Sabres at Philadelphia Flyers, 1 p.m. (NHLN)
New York Islanders at Tampa Bay Lightning, 2 p.m.
St. Louis Blues at Colorado Avalanche, 4:30 p.m.
New Jersey Devils at Minnesota Wild, 6 p.m.
Vegas Golden Knights at Nashville Predators, 6:30 p.m.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Ottawa Senators, 7 p.m.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Los Angeles Kings, 7 p.m.
Boston Bruins at Detroit Red Wings, 8 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)
Calgary Flames at Edmonton Oilers, 10 p.m.
New York Rangers at San Jose Sharks, 10:30 p.m.
Dallas Stars at Seattle Kraken, 10:30 p.m.
Friday’s scoreboard
Florida Panthers 2, Utah Hockey Club 1 (OT)
Carolina Hurricanes 4, Montreal Canadiens 1
Columbus Blue Jackets 7, Vancouver Canucks 6 (SO)
Winnipeg Jets 4, New Jersey Devils 0
Vegas Golden Knights 5, Chicago Blackhawks 3
Anaheim Ducks 5, New York Rangers 4 (OT)
Expanded standings
Atlantic Division
Points: 91
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 10
Points pace: 103.638888888889
Next game: vs. MTL (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 90
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 10
Points pace: 102.5
Next game: @ LA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 89
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 10
Points pace: 101.361111111111
Next game: vs. NYI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 11
Points pace: 93.5492957746479
Next game: vs. CBJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 98.1%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 85.4166666666667
Next game: @ FLA (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 43.7%
Tragic number: 21
Points: 72
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 82
Next game: vs. BOS (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 4.5%
Tragic number: 18
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 77.5068493150685
Next game: @ DET (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 13
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 76.225352112676
Next game: @ PHI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 14
Metro Division
Points: 103
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 10
Points pace: 117.305555555556
Next game: vs. BUF (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 92
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 10
Points pace: 104.777777777778
Next game: vs. NYI (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 83
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 8
Points pace: 91.972972972973
Next game: @ MIN (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 98.5%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 11
Points pace: 86.6197183098592
Next game: OTT (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 18.5%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 84.2465753424658
Next game: @ SJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 18.1%
Tragic number: 19
Points: 74
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 85.4647887323944
Next game: @ TB (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 18.4%
Tragic number: 22
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Points pace: 76.4594594594595
Next game: vs. OTT (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 11
Points: 67
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Points pace: 74.2432432432432
Next game: vs. BUF (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: 9
Central Division
Points: 104
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 9
Points pace: 116.821917808219
Next game: vs. VAN (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 98
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 10
Points pace: 111.611111111111
Next game: @ SEA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 93
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 9
Points pace: 104.465753424658
Next game: vs. STL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 9
Points pace: 97.7260273972603
Next game: vs. NJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 90.2%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 85
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 8
Points pace: 94.1891891891892
Next game: @ COL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 80.3%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 85.3698630136986
Next game: @ CHI (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 4%
Tragic number: 10
Points: 62
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 70.6111111111111
Next game: vs. VGK (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Points: 51
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 57.2876712328767
Next game: vs. UTA (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Pacific Division
Points: 96
Regulation wins: 41
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 10
Points pace: 109.333333333333
Next game: @ NSH (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 89
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 11
Points pace: 102.788732394366
Next game: vs. TOR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 10
Points pace: 99.0833333333333
Next game: vs. CGY (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 98.2%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 90.986301369863
Next game: @ WPG (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 10.4%
Tragic number: 16
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 91.2394366197183
Next game: @ EDM (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 16.9%
Tragic number: 17
Points: 72
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 82
Next game: vs. TOR (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 8
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 76.3835616438356
Next game: vs. DAL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: 2
Points: 49
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 56.5915492957746
Next game: vs. NYR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Note: An “x” means that the team has clinched a playoff berth. An “e” means that the team has been 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 No. 1 pick. Full details on the process are here. Matthew Schaefer, a defenseman for the OHL’s Erie Otters, is No. 1 on the draft board.
Points: 49
Regulation wins: 14
Points: 51
Regulation wins: 18
Points: 62
Regulation wins: 23
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 24
Points: 67
Regulation wins: 18
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 25
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 20
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
Points: 72
Regulation wins: 23
Points: 72
Regulation wins: 25
Points: 74
Regulation wins: 25
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 31
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 24
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 24
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 26
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 26
-
Alden Gonzalez
LOS ANGELES — Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar tested positive for a banned substance and will begin an 80-game suspension Monday, for the start of a three-game series at Dodger Stadium. Profar tested positive for chorionic gonadotropin, a performance-enhancing drug, according to Major League Baseball.
Profar will be eligible to return to the Braves on June 29 against Philadelphia but will be ineligible for the 2025 postseason as part of his suspension.
Profar, 32, signed a $1 million contract with the San Diego Padres in February 2024 and put together the best offensive season of his career last season, slashing .280/.380/.459 with 24 homers and 85 RBIs in 158 games. The Braves signed him to a three-year, $42 million deal in January to make him their everyday left fielder.
In a statement sent by the MLB Players’ Association, Profar called Monday “the most difficult day of my baseball career” and said he was “devastated” by the news. Profar added that he was tested eight times for PEDs in 2024 and “never tested positive.”
“This is especially painful for me because anyone who knows me and has seen me play knows I am deeply passionate about the game,” Profar wrote as part of his statement. “There is nothing I love more than competing with my teammates and being a fan favorite. I want to apologize to the entire Braves organization, my teammates, and the fans. It is because of my deep love and respect for this game that I would never knowingly do anything to cheat it.”
The Braves posted a statement on X, saying, “we were surprised and extremely disappointed to learn that Jurickson Profar tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance in violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Prevention and Treatment Program. We fully support the Program and are hopeful that Jurickson will learn from this experience.”
The substance hCG is a hormone that helps in the production of testosterone, according to the Cleveland Clinic, as cited by The Associated Press.
Profar’s suspension, which is without pay, comes after a brutal opening weekend for the Braves, who were swept in a four-game series by the Padres while scoring a combined seven runs — including zero over the last 22 innings.
Profar’s absence hurts the short-handed Braves. Outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. is not expected back from the injured list for another month. Jarred Kelenic and Bryan De La Cruz have been platooning in right field in Acuna’s absence. With Profar gone, the Braves can also turn as a down-the-road option to Alex Verdugo, who was signed to a $1.5 million deal March 20 and optioned to the minor leagues to get at-bats.
For now however, the Braves acquired outfielder Stuart Fairchild from the Cincinnati Reds for cash considerations earlier Monday and added him to the 40-man roster. He’s expected to join them on Tuesday. The Braves will go one player short against the Dodgers Monday night.
-
Jorge Castillo
The New York Mets have traded outfielder Alexander Canario to the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash considerations, the Pirates announced on Monday.
Canario was designated for assignment Thursday hours before the Mets’ season opener. He had traveled with the club from spring training in Florida to Houston last week to participate in the Mets’ workout Wednesday, but the team’s outfield glut rendered him a long shot to make the roster.
New York’s Opening Day roster included six outfielders: Juan Soto, Brandon Nimmo, Tyrone Taylor, Jose Siri, Starling Marte and Jesse Winker. Despite a strong camp, there just wasn’t room for Canario, who was out of minor-league options.
Jose Azocar, another outfielder, was also designated for assignment by the Mets on Thursday. The 28-year-old Azocar, however, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Syracuse.
Canario’s combination of youth — he’s 24 years old — and tools made him attractive to other teams. The right-handed hitter, who was traded from the San Francisco Giants to the Chicago Cubs in July 2021 as part of a trade for Kris Bryant, made his major-league debut with the Cubs in 2023. He appeared in 21 games for the team over the last two seasons, batting .286 with two home runs and two doubles in 45 plate appearances.
The Cubs designated Canario for assignment in late February to make room on their 40-man roster for Justin Turner. The Mets acquired him for cash days later. Canario reported straight to Port St. Lucie for spring training where he slashed .306/.419/.611 with three home runs in 17 games. He’ll now be with his third organization in just over a month.
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