NHL playoff watch: The key games to watch on Showdown Saturday
By this time next week, the 2024 Stanley Cup playoff bracket will be finalized. And by the end of Saturday’s 13-game schedule, a number of playoff fates — division titles, seeds and playoff spots in general — could officially be in the books.
And perhaps the best news for hockey fans? The NHL has spread out the games, with a game at 12:30 p.m. ET, five starting between 3 and 5:30 p.m., and only two in the traditional 7 p.m. ET slot. See, it can be done!
Here are the Saturday games with the most on the line:
New York Islanders at New York Rangers (12:30 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN+): The Islanders were seemingly out of the playoff mix as of a few weeks back, but a recent surge for them (and a swoon by all the others in the non-elite tier of Eastern teams) has them in the No. 3 spot in the Metro. They’ll want to keep piling on the points to stick in that spot. For the Rangers, the Presidents’ Trophy as the NHL’s top standings-point collector remains on the line, and there will also be some vengeance on their minds after a rough-and-tumble matchup against the Isles on Tuesday.
Seattle Kraken at Dallas Stars (3 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN+): Speaking of the Presidents’ Trophy race, the Stars are one point and three regulation wins behind the Rangers. In other words, they will need to finish with more stadings points than New York to earn the overall No. 1 seed this postseason (since they have only two games left). Bear in mind that the Carolina Hurricanes have an equal number of standings points to Dallas, and one more regulation win than the Rangers.
Winnipeg Jets at Colorado Avalanche (4 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+): If the Stars win, this matchup is officially a preview of the Central Division’s No. 2 vs. No. 3 first-round series. Not to alarm Avalanche fans eyeing another long playoff run, but the Jets have won both of the previous games between the teams this season.
Buffalo Sabres at Florida Panthers (5 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+): The Atlantic Division title remains up for grabs. Heading into this matchup against the lottery-bound Sabres, the Panthers are one point behind the Bruins, but they are six regulation wins ahead of Boston. The B’s do have a game in hand, but a win here ratchets up the pressure.
New Jersey Devils at Philadelphia Flyers (5 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+): The Flyers spent much of the season in a playoff position, but then they went 6-10-4 in March and April (thus far), including a recent eight-game winless streak. They’ll need a win here against the lottery-bound Devils — and some help — to get their spot back.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Washington Capitals (5:30 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+): The Lightning always find a way to turn up the intensity when the playoffs approach, and this season is no different. They have a slim chance of overtaking the Maple Leafs for third in the Atlantic, but otherwise, they are looking like a rough matchup for the second-best division winner in the East. At one point, the Caps looked like they were having their own magical spring run into the playoffs; that’s much less certain now, but a win here obviously helps their cause. Heading into Saturday, the Caps are one point and two regulation wins behind the wild-card Penguins, and four points behind the Isles for No. 3 in the Metro (with an edge in regulation wins).
Detroit Red Wings at Toronto Maple Leafs (7 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+): A win here secures the Leafs’ position as no worse than the No. 3 seed in the Atlantic. The stakes are higher for the Wings, who are one point and four regulation wins behind the wild-card Penguins (following their OT loss to Pittsburgh on Thursday).
Boston Bruins at Pittsburgh Penguins (8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN+): We’ll go ahead and crown this one as Saturday night’s main event! The Bruins are looking to hold off the Panthers in the Atlantic, but are also chasing the Rangers and Stars for the Presidents’ Trophy (though we know how everything transpired after they won that honor last season). Pittsburgh begins the day Saturday in possession of the second wild card, but it could be knocked out of that spot based on the Capitals-Lightning game (and later, the Wings-Leafs contest). Every point matters dearly to both of these clubs.
Vancouver Canucks at Edmonton Oilers (10 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+): The Canucks have been an excellent story this season, seemingly coming out of nowhere to lead the Pacific Division for most of the season. Are the Oilers an even better story? Mired in mediocrity at the start of the campaign, a coaching change ignited them to rocket up the standings — and put Connor McDavid squarely in the Hart Trophy conversation. Prior to puck drop, the Canucks hold a 105-102 edge in standings points, and a 42-38 edge in regulation wins, but Edmonton has a game in hand. This race is far from over, and an Oilers win would tighten it.
Anaheim Ducks at Los Angeles Kings (10:30 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+): For the past two years, the Kings have met their playoff demise at the hands of the Oilers in the first round. As the bracket stands, that is the team they would face again. But they’ll have to hold off the Vegas Golden Knights for that position, and the defending champs are three points and four regulation wins behind. A battle against their Orange County-based amphibious cousins is a good chance to pick up two points.
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
Saturday’s schedule
Friday’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
Saturday’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).
New York Islanders at New York Rangers, 12:30 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)
Seattle Kraken at Dallas Stars, 3 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)
Winnipeg Jets at Colorado Avalanche, 4 p.m.
Buffalo Sabres at Florida Panthers, 5 p.m.
New Jersey Devils at Philadelphia Flyers, 5 p.m.
Tampa Bay Lightning at 5:30 p.m.
Detroit Red Wings at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m.
Montreal Canadiens at Ottawa Senators, 7 p.m.
Boston Bruins at Pittsburgh Penguins, 8 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)
Columbus Blue Jackets at Nashville Predators, 8 p.m.
Vancouver Canucks at Edmonton Oilers, 10 p.m.
Anaheim Ducks at Los Angeles Kings, 10:30 p.m.
Minnesota Wild at San Jose Sharks, 10:30 p.m.
Friday’s scoreboard
Carolina Hurricanes 5, St. Louis Blues 2
Nashville Predators 5, Chicago Blackhawks 1
Arizona Coyotes 3, Edmonton Oilers 2 (OT)
Vegas Golden Knights 7, Minnesota Wild 2
Calgary Flames 6, Anaheim Ducks 3
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: 109
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: 109
Regulation wins: 43
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 2
Points pace: 112
Next game: @ CHI (Sunday)
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%
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: 97
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 2
Points pace: 99
Next game: vs. CBJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 89
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 91
Next game: vs. SEA (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Points: 83
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 86
Next game: @ SJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 77
Next game: @ CGY (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Points: 51
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 53
Next game: vs. CAR (Sunday)
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: 102
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 4
Points pace: 107
Next game: vs. VAN (Saturday)
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: 94
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 3
Points pace: 98
Next game: vs. COL (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 100%
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: 77
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 3
Points pace: 80
Next game: vs. ARI (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Points: 57
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 2
Points pace: 58
Next game: @ LA (Saturday)
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: 75
Regulation wins: 27
Points: 74
Regulation wins: 24
Points: 77
Regulation wins: 30
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
-
Tim Keown
TOKYO — Shohei Ohtani seems impervious to a variety of conditions that afflict most humans — nerves, anxiety, distraction — but it took playing a regular-season big-league game in his home country to change all of that.
After the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ Opening Day 4-1 win over the Chicago Cubs in the Tokyo Dome, Ohtani made a surprising admission. “It’s been a while since I felt this nervous playing a game,” he said. “It took me four or five innings.”
Ohtani had two hits and scored twice, and one of his outs was a hard liner that left his bat at more than 96 mph, so the nerves weren’t obvious from the outside. But clearly the moment, and its weeklong buildup, altered his usually stoic demeanor.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Shohei nervous,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “But one thing I did notice was how emotional he got during the Japanese national anthem. I thought that was telling.”
As the Dodgers began the defense of last year’s World Series win, it became a night to showcase the five Japanese players on the two teams. For the first time in league history, two Japanese pitchers — the Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the Cubs’ Shota Imanaga — faced each other on Opening Day. Both pitched well, with Imanaga throwing four hitless innings before being removed after 69 pitches.
“Seventy was kind of the number we had for Shota,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “It was the right time to take him out.”
The Dodgers agreed, scoring three in the fifth inning off reliever Ben Brown. Imanaga kept the Dodgers off balance, but his career-high four walks created two stressful innings that ran up his pitch count.
Yamamoto rode the adrenaline of pitching in his home country, routinely hitting 98 with his fastball and vexing the Cubs with a diving splitter over the course of five three-hit innings. He threw with a kind of abandon, finding a freedom that often eluded him last year in his first year in America.
“I think last year to this year, the confidence and conviction he has throwing the fastball in the strike zone is night and day,” Roberts said. “If he can continue to do that, I see no reason he won’t be in the Cy Young conversation this season.”
Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki went hitless in four at bats — the Cubs had only three hits, none in the final four innings against four relievers out of the Dodgers’ loaded bullpen — and rookie Roki Sasaki will make his first start of his Dodger career in the second and final game of the series Wednesday.
“I don’t think there was a Japanese baseball player in this country who wasn’t watching tonight,” Roberts said.
The Dodgers were without Mookie Betts, who left Japan on Monday after it was decided his illness would not allow him to play in this series. And less than an hour before game time, first baseman Freddie Freeman was scratched with what the team termed “left rib discomfort,” a recurrence of an injury he first sustained during last year’s playoffs.
The night started with a pregame celebration that felt like an Olympic opening ceremony in a lesser key. There were Pikachus on the field and a vaguely threatening video depicting the Dodgers and Cubs as Monster vs. Monster. World home-run king Saduharu Oh was on the field before the game, and Roberts called meeting Oh “a dream come true.”
For the most part, the crowd was subdued, as if it couldn’t decide who or what to root for, other than Ohtani. It was admittedly confounding: throughout the first five innings, if fans rooted for the Dodgers they were rooting against Imanaga, but rooting for the Cubs meant rooting against Yamamoto. Ohtani, whose every movement is treated with a rare sense of wonder, presented no such conflict.
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