NHL playoff watch: Who will grab the Western wild cards?
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Tim KavanaghESPN.com
Now that the trade deadline has passed, the rush to the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs begins in earnest. Each day until the final day of the regular season, we’ll bring you updated playoff standings and projections, the game schedule, scores from the night before and the current draft lottery outlook, with Connor Bedard sitting as the prize for the team that wins the No. 1 pick.
But before all of that, let’s hone in today on the race for the two wild-card spots in the Western Conference.
Following Sunday’s action, the Colorado Avalanche have jumped into third place in the Central Division with 74 points, with the Winnipeg Jets sliding back into the second wild-card spot. The first wild-card spot is occupied by the Edmonton Oilers (76 points).
Tonight, the Oilers will be paying a visit to the Buffalo Sabres in a game exclusively on ESPN+ and Hulu, as the Oilers continue their push for a slot in the Pacific Division seeds, or a wild card at least. The Jets will take on the San Jose Sharks.
The Nashville Predators — who traded away Mattias Ekholm, Tanner Jeannot, Nino Niederreiter and Mikael Granlund — are six points behind Winnipeg heading into tonight’s matchup against the Vancouver Canucks. FiveThirtyEight gives them a 38% chance of making the postseason.
Meanwhile, the Calgary Flames — who won the Pacific Division crown last season, before a summer of roster upheaval — are seven points out, with a 15% chance at the playoffs. They will take on the Dallas Stars tonight, a club looking to tighten its hold on the top spot in the Central Division.
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 2023 NHL draft lottery.
Note: Playoff chances are via FiveThirtyEight.
Jump ahead:
Current playoff matchups
Today’s games
Last night’s scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick
Current playoff matchups
Eastern Conference
A1 Boston Bruins vs. WC2 Pittsburgh Penguins
A2 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. A3 Tampa Bay Lightning
M1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. WC1 New York Islanders
M2 New Jersey Devils vs. M3 New York Rangers
Western Conference
C1 Dallas Stars vs. WC1 Edmonton Oilers
C2 Minnesota Wild vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche
P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC2 Winnipeg Jets
P2 Los Angeles Kings vs. P3 Seattle Kraken
Monday’s games
Note: All times Eastern. All games not on ESPN, 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, 7:30 PM (ESPN+/Hulu)
San Jose Sharks at Winnipeg Jets, 7:30 PM
Calgary Flames at Dallas Stars, 8:30 PM
Ottawa Senators at Chicago Blackhawks, 9 PM
Washington Capitals at Los Angeles Kings, 10:30 PM
Nashville Predators at Vancouver Canucks, 10:30 PM
Sunday’s scoreboard
Watch In the Crease on ESPN+ for highlights from every game.
Carolina Hurricanes 6, Tampa Bay Lightning 0
Philadelphia Flyers 3, Detroit Red Wings 1
Vegas Golden Knights 4, Montreal Canadiens 3
New Jersey Devils–Arizona Coyotes
Seattle Kraken–Colorado Avalanche
Expanded standings
Atlantic Division
Points: 103
Regulation wins: 42
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 20
Next game: vs. EDM (Thursday)
Playoff chances: >99%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 84
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 19
Next game: @ NJ (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: >99%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 19
Next game: vs. PHI (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 21
Next game: vs. EDM (Monday)
Playoff chances: 30%
Tragic number: 39
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 20
Next game: @ CHI (Monday)
Playoff chances: 17%
Tragic number: 37
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Next game: vs. VGK (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 30%
Tragic number: 33
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Next game: vs. CHI (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 1%
Tragic number: 32
Points: 56
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Next game: vs. CAR (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: <1%
Tragic number: 23
Metropolitan Division
Points: 90
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 21
Next game: @ MTL (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: >99%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 88
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 20
Next game: vs. TOR (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: >99%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 19
Next game: @ MTL (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 98%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 72
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 17
Next game: vs. BUF (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 41%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 71
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 20
Next game: vs. CBJ (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 69%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Next game: @ LA (Monday)
Playoff chances: 14%
Tragic number: 33
Points: 59
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Next game: @ TB (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: <1%
Tragic number: 26
Points: 46
Regulation wins: 15
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Next game: vs. CAR (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: <1%
Tragic number: 13
Central Division
Points: 81
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 19
Next game: vs. CGY (Monday)
Playoff chances: 99%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 19
Next game: vs. CGY (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 95%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 74
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 21
Next game: vs. SJ (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 98%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 74
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 19
Next game: vs. SJ (Monday)
Playoff chances: 74%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 22
Next game: @ VAN (Monday)
Playoff chances: 38%
Tragic number: 38
Points: 59
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 20
Next game: @ ARI (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: <1%
Tragic number: 25
Points: 52
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Next game: vs. STL (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: <1%
Tragic number: 16
Points: 47
Regulation wins: 13
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 20
Next game: vs. OTT (Monday)
Playoff chances: <1%
Tragic number: 13
Pacific Division
Points: 82
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 19
Next game: @ FLA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 98%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 80
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 18
Next game: vs. WSH (Monday)
Playoff chances: 95%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 19
Next game: vs. ANA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 96%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 18
Next game: @ BUF (Monday)
Playoff chances: 91%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 67
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Next game: @ DAL (Monday)
Playoff chances: 15%
Tragic number: 31
Points: 55
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 20
Next game: vs. NSH (Monday)
Playoff chances: <1%
Tragic number: 21
Points: 50
Regulation wins: 11
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Next game: @ SEA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: <1%
Tragic number: 14
Points: 48
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Next game: @ WPG (Monday)
Playoff chances: <1%
Tragic number: 12
Race for the No. 1 pick
The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order at the top of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. As of 2021, a team may 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 Connor Bedard, who has been lauded as a generational talent.
Points: 46
Regulation wins: 15
Points: 47
Regulation wins: 13
Points: 48
Regulation wins: 14
Points: 50
Regulation wins: 11
Points: 52
Regulation wins: 16
Points: 55
Regulation wins: 16
Points: 56
Regulation wins: 17
Points: 59
Regulation wins: 19
Points: 59
Regulation wins: 22
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 22
Points: 67
Regulation wins: 22
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 24
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 24
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 24
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 25
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 27
Notes on traded picks impacting the top 16:
ATLANTA — Jordan Westburg didn’t have to be fully recovered from a finger injury to move back into Baltimore’s lineup and make an immediate impact.
Westburg had three hits, including a homer, in the Orioles‘ 3-2 win over the Atlanta Braves on Friday night.
The Orioles received another boost as Tyler O’Neill came off the injured list with a single and a walk.
“I think they gave us two of the three runs,” said Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino, referring to O’Neill scoring on Cedric Mullins‘ two-run homer off Spencer Strider.
“Those are two really good players,” Mansolino said. “We’re still short. We’re still missing Adley [Rutschman], but a lot of credit to the guys. They went out there and put up three runs against probably one of the great pitchers in the game.”
Rutschman, Baltimore’s primary catcher, has been out since June 20 with an oblique strain.
Westburg has tried to play through his sprained left index finger. He left a game at the New York Yankees on June 21 before returning four days later against Texas and then having to leave a game after aggravating the injury on June 27.
“Is he 100%? Probably not,” Mansolino said before the game. “But I think he’s probably close.”
Close was good enough. When asked how he feels after his three-hit game, Westburg said, “Pretty good.”
“I’m willing to play through whatever I have,” Westburg said. “It just was at a point where I wasn’t able to swing a bat. As soon as I’m able and can, I want to be on the field as much as they’ll let me.”
O’Neill was the Orioles’ designated hitter in his return from a left shoulder impingement. He was placed on the injured list for the second time this year on May 16 after missing time earlier in the season with neck inflammation.
The contributions from Westburg and O’Neill, who combined to reach base five times, helped support Charlie Morton, who allowed six hits and two runs in 5⅓ innings in his return to Atlanta, where he pitched the past four seasons. Morton also began his career with the Braves.
Morton (5-7) improved to 5-0 in 10 appearances, including seven starts, since May 10.
“I spent basically half my career here,” Morton said. “Being drafted here, I spent seven years in the system, went to the big leagues, made my debut, got to play for Bobby Cox, got to play with some of the pillars of this organization and … come back and win a World Series here. Yeah, it’s a special place for me.”
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Jesse Rogers
CHICAGO — Fireworks in Chicago began early on Independence Day as the Cubs set a franchise record for a single game, hitting eight home runs on Friday, including three from first baseman Michael Busch in a rout of the St. Louis Cardinals.
“Especially to do it at Wrigley Field,” Busch said after the 11-3 win. “It’s really cool. I think that was my first three-homer game, ever. That’s one game I’ll never forget.”
Busch, 27, took Cardinals starter Miles Mikolas deep in the second and third innings then set a career mark with his third home run in the seventh off reliever John King. It was the first time a Cubs player hit three home runs in a game since Rafael Ortega on Aug. 1, 2021.
Busch wasn’t the only Cub to hit multiple home runs as Pete Crow-Armstrong hit two after making a diving catch in the first inning. Both Busch and Crow-Armstrong went 4-for-4 on the day, driving in seven of the team’s 11 runs. Busch drove in five.
The Cubs have been near the top of the league in most offensive rankings since early in the season as they extended their lead on the Cardinals to 6.5 games.
“It’s really easy to appreciate what we’re doing right now,” Crow-Armstrong said. “It’s also easy to just keep it going and not let that be something that we are dwelling on. It’s the best offense I’ve ever been a part of.”
Also homering for the Cubs on their record-setting day was designated hitter Seiya Suzuki, catcher Carson Kelly and shortstop Dansby Swanson. Manager Craig Counsell was asked to put the day in perspective considering the lengthy history of the franchise. It came a day after they beat the Cleveland Guardians 1-0.
“It’s the sport,” Counsell said with a smile. “It took us 10 innings to score one run yesterday. That’s what’s crazy about it. That’s why you turn the page every single day. We had a really good day, today.”
Mikolas set a Cardinals franchise record, giving up six of the eight home runs — all of which came in the first three innings. The Cardinals did break a scoreless streak on offense extending back to last Sunday when second baseman Brendan Donovan homered in the fourth inning. St. Louis scored two more times in the ninth off Cubs infielder Jon Berti, but by then the game was in hand.
Busch is the third Cubs player with a three-home run game against the Cardinals. In an odd twist, all three did it on Independence Day: Moises Alou on July 4, 2003, and Hank Leiber on July 4, 1939, according to ESPN Research.
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