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The 2024 NHL trade deadline passed on Friday afternoon. For those who might’ve missed anything, our reporters identified the winners and losers and also graded 23 of the biggest moves this trade season. But now that there will be no more deals, it’s time for the rush to the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs to begin in earnest.

Taking a look at the current standings, Saturday’s schedule presents some captivating clashes as the contenders are sorted from the teams that will ultimately be in the draft lottery mix.

One team that might believe it’s unjustifiably in an unfortunate position is the New Jersey Devils, a juggernaut from last season that is six points back of the Eastern Conference wild card with two teams to jump, as well. The Devils will square off against the Carolina Hurricanes (12:30 p.m. ET, ABC and ESPN+) as every single point matters from here on out. The Devils fired coach Lindy Ruff earlier this week, then traded winger Tyler Toffoli and defenseman Colin Miller to the Winnipeg Jets before completely remaking their goaltending depth by acquiring Jake Allen and Kaapo Kahkonen on Friday. Is it too late for them to mount a run?

Out West, the Calgary Flames — also six points back of a wild-card spot — were busy sending players elsewhere during trade season. Elias Lindholm (dealt ahead of the All-Star Game), Chris Tanev and Noah Hanifin are out — but the team did retain goaltender Jacob Markstrom, and the Flames have gone 6-4-0 in their past 10 games to maintain their spot in the race. They’ll visit the Florida Panthers (4 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+), who added some tantalizing players ahead of the deadline to a team that looks as strong as any.

The Philadelphia Flyers are trying to thread the needle of staying in the playoff picture (they are currently third in the Metropolitan Division) while also building for the future. Their moves this week reflected that situation, and tonight they’ll take on the Tampa Bay Lightning (7 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+), who are trying to extend their own playoff streak and added Anthony Duclair and Matt Dumba as depth.

And in one of the nightcaps, the Jets will face off against the Vancouver Canucks (10 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+) in a possible Western Conference finals preview. The Canucks made their biggest moves early, while the Jets waited to strike on Toffoli and Miller after adding Sean Monahan in early February.

As we enter 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
Today’s schedule
Last night’s scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick

Current playoff matchups

Eastern Conference

A1 Florida Panthers vs. WC2 Tampa Bay Lightning
A2 Boston Bruins vs. A3 Toronto Maple Leafs
M1 New York Rangers vs. WC1 Detroit Red Wings
M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 Philadelphia Flyers

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


Saturday’s games

Note: All times Eastern. 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).

Edmonton Oilers at Buffalo Sabres, 12:30 p.m.
Carolina Hurricanes at New Jersey Devils, 12:30 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)
Nashville Predators at Columbus Blue Jackets, 12:30 p.m.
Pittsburgh Penguins at Boston Bruins, 3 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)
Calgary Flames at Florida Panthers, 4 p.m.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m. (NHLN)
Philadelphia Flyers at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7 p.m.
Chicago Blackhawks at Washington Capitals, 7 p.m.
Ottawa Senators at San Jose Sharks, 7 p.m.
St. Louis Blues at New York Rangers, 7:30 p.m.
Winnipeg Jets at Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m.
Detroit Red Wings at Vegas Golden Knights, 10 p.m.
Dallas Stars at Los Angeles Kings, 10:30 p.m.


Friday’s scoreboard

Colorado Avalanche 2, Minnesota Wild 1 (OT)
Arizona Coyotes 4, Detroit Red Wings 0
Dallas Stars 6, Anaheim Ducks 2
Winnipeg Jets 3, Seattle Kraken 0


Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

Points: 90
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 18
Points pace: 115
Next game: vs. CGY (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 89
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 17
Points pace: 112
Next game: vs. PIT (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 19
Points pace: 104
Next game: @ MTL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.3%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 19
Points pace: 94
Next game: @ VGK (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 36.3%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 18
Points pace: 92
Next game: vs. PHI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 77.8%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 63
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 81
Next game: vs. EDM (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 1.5%
Tragic number: 27

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 76
Next game: vs. TOR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 24

Points: 54
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 21
Points pace: 73
Next game: @ SJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 24


Metropolitan Division

Points: 84
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 20
Points pace: 111
Next game: vs. STL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 20
Points pace: 106
Next game: @ NJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 18
Points pace: 95
Next game: @ TB (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 74.2%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 20
Points pace: 93
Next game: @ ANA (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 61.8%
Tragic number: 38

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 21
Points pace: 90
Next game: vs. CHI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 32.8%
Tragic number: 37

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 86
Next game: vs. CAR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 13.3%
Tragic number: 32

Points: 64
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 21
Points pace: 86
Next game: @ BOS (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 3.1%
Tragic number: 34

Points: 54
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 70
Next game: vs. NSH (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 20


Central Division

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 17
Points pace: 110
Next game: @ LA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 85
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 20
Points pace: 112
Next game: @ VAN (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 85
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 17
Points pace: 107
Next game: @ CGY (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 18
Points pace: 96
Next game: @ CBJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 77.5%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 87
Next game: @ NYR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 2.1%
Tragic number: 32

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 86
Next game: vs. NSH (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 12.2%
Tragic number: 30

Points: 57
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 73
Next game: @ CHI (Sunday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 20

Points: 37
Regulation wins: 11
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 48
Next game: @ WSH (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 2


Pacific Division

Points: 89
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 17
Points pace: 112
Next game: vs. WPG (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 21
Points pace: 105
Next game: @ BUF (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 20
Points pace: 99
Next game: vs. DAL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 93.3%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 19
Points pace: 95
Next game: vs. DET (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 76.6%
Tragic number: N/A

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 20
Points pace: 89
Next game: @ FLA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 24.1%
Tragic number: 34

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 87
Next game: vs. VGK (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 14.3%
Tragic number: 32

Points: 49
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 64
Next game: vs. NYI (Sunday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 14

Points: 37
Regulation wins: 11
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 20
Points pace: 49
Next game: vs. OTT (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 4

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: 37
Regulation wins: 11

Points: 37
Regulation wins: 11

Points: 49
Regulation wins: 17

Points: 54
Regulation wins: 19

Points: 54
Regulation wins: 17

Points: 57
Regulation wins: 21

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 14

Points: 63
Regulation wins: 24

Points: 64
Regulation wins: 23

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 26

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 23

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 26

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 24

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 22

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 24

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 20

* The Penguins’ first-round pick was traded to the Sharks as part of the Erik Karlsson trade. However, it is top-10 protected.

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White Abarrio wins $3 million Pegasus World Cup

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White Abarrio wins  million Pegasus World Cup

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. — White Abarrio won the $3 million Pegasus World Cup with a dominant performance at Gulfstream on Saturday.

He ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.05 under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., who earned his third career Pegasus victory.

Sent off as the 5-2 favorite, White Abarrio paid $7.60, $3.80 and $3.

Locked returned $3.20 and $2.40, while Skippylongstocking paid $4.40.

White Abarrio hit the apex of his career in 2023, when he won the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic as well as the Whitney at Saratoga for trainer Rick Dutrow. The horse won the Florida Derby at Gulfstream in 2022.

The horse had been transferred when his Florida-based trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. was barred from racing at Churchill Downs and in New York after two of his horses died suddenly 48 hours apart in races at Churchill in the weeks leading up to the 2023 Kentucky Derby.

White Abarrio’s owners wanted to run him in the Met Mile at Belmont, so they chose the New York-based Dutrow to oversee him. The horse went back to Joseph’s barn in June 2024.

“Today he was spectacular,” a teary-eyed Joseph said. “I’m just thankful.”

In the $1 million Pegasus Turf, Spirit of St Louis edged Integration by a neck.

The 6-year-old gelding ran 1 1/8 miles on turf in 1:44.50, just off the track record of 1:44.45 set by last year’s winner Warm Heart. He paid $17.80 to win at 7-1 odds.

Spirit of St Louis was ridden by Tyler Gaffalione and trained by Chad Brown, who won the Eclipse Award as the nation’s outstanding trainer earlier in the week.

Chasing the Crown was third.

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Sanders unsure if he will throw at NFL combine

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Sanders unsure if he will throw at NFL combine

FRISCO, Texas — Former Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders said Saturday he is unsure if he will throw at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis next month.

Sanders is attending the East-West Shrine Bowl but will not participate in practice or in the game Thursday. He was at the West team’s first practice at the University of North Texas on Saturday morning but stood on the field, watching the other prospects.

While Sanders won’t conduct any on-field work at the Shrine Bowl, he reiterated his belief that he’s worthy of being the top pick in the 2025 NFL draft. He has been training in the Dallas area with former Miami‘s Cam Ward, another top quarterback prospect in this year’s draft.

“We changed the program at Jackson [State University],” Sanders said. “We went to Colorado, changed the program. And we did everything people didn’t think we were able to do. So, that’s why I know I’m the most guaranteed risk you can take.”

Sanders met with multiple teams Friday, including the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns and New York Giants, who hold the first three picks in the draft, respectively. The Titans met with Sanders for 45 minutes.

“I like that I’m able to get in the forefront of everything and they’re able to understand me and ask me whatever questions they want,” Sanders said. “I’m not ducking. I ain’t hiding. I’m right here, live in the flesh and able to answer whatever questions are out there.”

While Sanders is confident in his worthiness as the first overall pick, he said he would be “thankful for whatever situation and whoever drafts me. I know I’ll be able to change their program.”

Asked what he will bring to a team, Sanders smiled and said, “A lot of wins.”

Shedeur’s older brother Shilo, a safety, is also in Texas for the game. Colorado is also represented by wide receivers Will Sheppard, LaJohntay Wester, Jimmy Horn Jr. and cornerback Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig.

ESPN’s Turron Davenport contributed to this report.

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Mets’ Cohen: Alonso negotiations ‘exhausting’

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Mets' Cohen: Alonso negotiations 'exhausting'

NEW YORK — The New York Mets held their first winter event for fans in five years at Citi Field on Saturday, and there was one notable absence. Pete Alonso wasn’t in attendance because, for the first time since the 2016 draft, he isn’t a member of the Mets’ organization.

The homegrown star first baseman remains a free agent and, though a reunion remains possible, he might have played his last game as a Met.

Owner Steve Cohen bluntly said as much Saturday after taking the stage for a fireside chat with fans to chants of “We want Pete!”

“Personally, this has been an exhausting conversation and negotiation,” Cohen explained. “I mean, [Juan Soto’s negotiation] was tough. This is worse. A lot of it is, we’ve made a significant offer. I don’t like the structures that are being presented back to us. I think it’s highly asymmetric against us and I feel strongly about it.”

Alonso, along with third baseman Alex Bregman, is one of the two best position players left on the free agent market. The first baseman, who is represented by Scott Boras, originally sought a long-term deal, but he is open to returning to the Mets on a three-year contract and the Mets have been open to such a deal, according to a source. The obstacle has been money.

“I will never say no,” Cohen said. “There’s always the possibility. But the reality is we’re moving forward and we continue to bring in players. As we continue to bring in players, the reality is it becomes harder to fit Pete into what is a very expensive group of players that we already have and that’s where we are.

“I’m being brutally honest. I don’t like the negotiations. I don’t like what’s being presented to us. Maybe that changes. I’ll always stay flexible. But if it stays this way, I think we’re going to have to get used to the fact that we may have to go forward with the existing players that we have.”

The Mets recently re-signed outfielder/designated hitter Jesse Winker to a one-year, $7.5 million contract and added left-handed reliever A.J. Minter on a two-year, $22 million deal. They’ve also signed Soto (15 years, $765 million), Sean Manaea (three years, $75 million), Clay Holmes (three years, $38 million), and Frankie Montas (two years, $34 million), among other moves, this winter.

Preparing for life without Alonso, the Mets recently instructed third basemen Mark Vientos and Brett Baty to work out at first base. Vientos and Baty both confirmed the organization’s request Saturday.

“We all love Pete, and we’ve said that many times,” Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said. “And I think, as we’ve gone through this process, we’ve continued to express that. We also understand that this is a business and Pete, as a free agent, deserves the right and has the right and earned the privilege, really, to see what’s out there. We also feel really good about the young players who are coming through our system who have the ability to play at the major-league level.”

Vientos, 25, enjoyed a breakout season as one of the best hitters in the National League after solidifying himself as the Mets’ every-day third baseman in May and helping fuel the team’s run to the NL Championship Series. Baty, a former top prospect, was the club’s opening day third baseman last season. He struggled after a hot start before he was demoted to Triple-A and didn’t return to the majors.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza also named veterans Jared Young and Joey Meneses, both of whom signed this winter, as other options at first base if Alonso doesn’t return.

“Pete’s been here since I’ve been here,” said Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, who has starred for the franchise since 2021. “He was here before me. So, yeah, it would be different if he goes somewhere else. Yeah, it would be different. But I think he should take his time. I think he should make the best decision for himself and not feel that he’s rushed.”

Alonso, 30, became a fan favorite while becoming a franchise cornerstone over his six seasons in Queens. He’s hit 226 home runs since making his major-league debut — the second-highest total in baseball behind only Aaron Judge. His 53 home runs in 2019 set a rookie record. He’s been a reliable everyday presence; he’s never missed more than nine games in a season and played in all 178 games, postseason included, in 2024. He’s made four All-Star teams and won the Home Run Derby twice.

But he rates as a poor defender and baserunner whose offensive production has declined over the last three seasons, creating a free-agent market that hasn’t been as fruitful as projected when he declined a seven-year, $158 million contract extension in 2023.

“Listen, he’s a special player,” Hall of Famer and former Mets catcher Mike Piazza said Saturday. “Guys that can hit 40 home runs are not walking on the street. So when he’s really in his game, he’s a special player. I hope, from a personal standpoint, I hope they work something out.”

Outfielder Brandon Nimmo, the longest-tenured player on the roster after debuting in 2016, signed an eight-year, $162 million contract to remain with the Mets two offseasons ago. Like Alonso, Boras is his agent. Unlike Alonso, he reached a resolution in December, not with spring training around the corner.

“I would love to see Pete back with us, but I also understand that I don’t make those decisions,” Nimmo said. “And that’s between Pete and our front office and David [Stearns] and Steve [Cohen]. And from what I understand, there’s been a lot of talks between them. I’m still hopeful that we’ll sign him.”

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