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Moore says goal at Michigan always to win it all
As noted in the March 23 episode of the playoff watch this season, winning the Presidents' Trophy doesn't guarantee a team will win the Stanley Cup (though it's not a curse, as some still claim). One thing it does guarantee: home-ice advantage for as long as the winner continues playing, which is no small thing.
So where does the race stand heading into Wednesday's action?
The New York Rangers are atop the league, with 104 points and 39 regulation wins. They have a game forthcoming against the rival New Jersey Devils (7 p.m. ET, TNT), a continuation of a series of games that have been feisty for the past few decades. The Rangers face just one more team currently in playoff position the rest of the way, but they have two more games against their other big rival, the New York Islanders, who are battling hard in an attempt to get back into a wild-card spot. Stathletes projects the Rangers to finish with 113.9 standings points, which is the most in the league.
Somewhat under the radar, the Dallas Stars are just a point behind the Rangers, but with three fewer regulation wins. The Stars have a theoretically more difficult opponent on Wednesday in the Edmonton Oilers (9:30 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+), and also face the Colorado Avalanche and Winnipeg Jets down the stretch. The projection for the Stars is 112.3 points, which is second most.
The Pacific Division-leading Vancouver Canucks are on the Arizona State campus Wednesday for a matchup against the Arizona Coyotes (10 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+). The Canucks sit at 100 points, but they have 40 regulation wins, an important edge if there's a tie atop the points column at season's end. The Canucks have the most challenging remaining schedule of these three clubs, with showdowns against the Los Angeles Kings, Vegas Golden Knights, Oilers and Jets coming in the season's final weeks. Stathletes projects Vancouver to finish with 109.9 points, which is fifth most (also behind the Avs and the Carolina Hurricanes).
But what about the Atlantic leaders? The idle Boston Bruins (103 points, 34 regulation wins) and Florida Panthers (99, 38) are obviously still a threat to make a final push for the regular-season points title. But the Stathletes model doesn't like their chances quite as much, with Florida projected for 109.7 points and Boston 109.4.
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 scenario Wednesday's schedule Tuesday's scores Expanded standings Race for No. 1 pick
Current playoff matchupsEastern Conference
A1 Boston Bruins vs. WC1 Tampa Bay Lightning A2 Florida Panthers vs. A3 Toronto Maple Leafs M1 New York Rangers vs. WC2 Washington Capitals M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 Philadelphia Flyers
Western Conference
C1 Dallas Stars vs. WC2 Los Angeles Kings C2 Colorado Avalanche vs. C3 Winnipeg Jets P1 Vancouver Canucks vs. WC1 Nashville Predators P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Vegas Golden Knights
Clinching scenarioThe Toronto Maple Leafs can clinch a playoff berth if they defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning or if they lose in an overtime or shootout to the Lightning.
Wednesday's gamesNote: 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).
Tampa Bay Lightning at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m. New Jersey Devils at New York Rangers, 7 p.m. (TNT) Edmonton Oilers at Dallas Stars, 9:30 p.m. Seattle Kraken at Los Angeles Kings, 9:30 p.m (TNT) Vancouver Canucks at Arizona Coyotes, 10 p.m.
Tuesday's scoreboardBuffalo Sabres 6, Washington Capitals 2 Montreal Canadiens 5, Florida Panthers 3 Pittsburgh Penguins 6, New Jersey Devils 3 New York Islanders 2, Chicago Blackhawks 1 Boston Bruins 3, Nashville Predators 0 Minnesota Wild 3, Ottawa Senators 2 Anaheim Ducks 5, Calgary Flames 3 Vegas Golden Knights 6, Vancouver Canucks 3
Expanded standings Atlantic Division x - Boston BruinsPoints: 103 Regulation wins: 34 Playoff position: A1 Games left: 6 Points pace: 111 Next game: @ CAR (Thursday) Playoff chances: 100% Tragic number: N/A
x - Florida PanthersPoints: 99 Regulation wins: 38 Playoff position: A2 Games left: 6 Points pace: 107 Next game: @ OTT (Thursday) Playoff chances: 100% Tragic number: N/A
Toronto Maple LeafsPoints: 95 Regulation wins: 31 Playoff position: A3 Games left: 8 Points pace: 105 Next game: vs. TB (Wednesday) Playoff chances: 99.9% Tragic number: N/A
Tampa Bay LightningPoints: 89 Regulation wins: 33 Playoff position: WC1 Games left: 8 Points pace: 99 Next game: @ TOR (Wednesday) Playoff chances: 99.9% Tragic number: N/A
Detroit Red WingsPoints: 82 Regulation wins: 26 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 7 Points pace: 90 Next game: vs. NYR (Friday) Playoff chances: 45.9% Tragic number: 14
Buffalo SabresPoints: 77 Regulation wins: 30 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 6 Points pace: 83 Next game: vs. PHI (Friday) Playoff chances: 0.7% Tragic number: 7
Ottawa SenatorsPoints: 70 Regulation wins: 24 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 8 Points pace: 78 Next game: vs. FLA (Thursday) Playoff chances: ~0% Tragic number: 4
Montreal CanadiensPoints: 70 Regulation wins: 19 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 8 Points pace: 78 Next game: vs. TB (Thursday) Playoff chances: ~0% Tragic number: 4
Metropolitan Division x - New York RangersPoints: 104 Regulation wins: 39 Playoff position: M1 Games left: 7 Points pace: 114 Next game: vs. NJ (Wednesday) Playoff chances: 100% Tragic number: N/A
x - Carolina HurricanesPoints: 101 Regulation wins: 39 Playoff position: M2 Games left: 7 Points pace: 110 Next game: vs. BOS (Thursday) Playoff chances: 100% Tragic number: N/A
Philadelphia FlyersPoints: 83 Regulation wins: 28 Playoff position: M3 Games left: 6 Points pace: 90 Next game: @ BUF (Friday) Playoff chances: 54.9% Tragic number: N/A
Washington CapitalsPoints: 82 Regulation wins: 28 Playoff position: WC2 Games left: 8 Points pace: 91 Next game: vs. PIT (Thursday) Playoff chances: 52.9% Tragic number: N/A
New York IslandersPoints: 81 Regulation wins: 24 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 7 Points pace: 89 Next game: @ CBJ (Thursday) Playoff chances: 34.0% Tragic number: 13
Pittsburgh PenguinsPoints: 79 Regulation wins: 29 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 7 Points pace: 86 Next game: @ WSH (Thursday) Playoff chances: 10.2% Tragic number: 11
New Jersey DevilsPoints: 76 Regulation wins: 31 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 7 Points pace: 83 Next game: @ NYR (Wednesday) Playoff chances: 1.5% Tragic number: 8
e - Columbus Blue JacketsPoints: 62 Regulation wins: 19 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 7 Points pace: 68 Next game: vs. NYI (Thursday) Playoff chances: 0% Tragic number: E
Central Division x - Dallas StarsPoints: 103 Regulation wins: 36 Playoff position: C1 Games left: 7 Points pace: 113 Next game: vs. EDM (Wednesday) Playoff chances: 100% Tragic number: N/A
x - Colorado AvalanchePoints: 100 Regulation wins: 39 Playoff position: C2 Games left: 7 Points pace: 109 Next game: @ MIN (Thursday) Playoff chances: 100% Tragic number: N/A
Winnipeg JetsPoints: 96 Regulation wins: 40 Playoff position: C3 Games left: 7 Points pace: 105 Next game: vs. CGY (Thursday) Playoff chances: 99.9% Tragic number: N/A
Nashville PredatorsPoints: 90 Regulation wins: 35 Playoff position: WC1 Games left: 7 Points pace: 98 Next game: vs. STL (Thursday) Playoff chances: 98.4% Tragic number: N/A
St. Louis BluesPoints: 84 Regulation wins: 29 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 7 Points pace: 92 Next game: @ NSH (Thursday) Playoff chances: 5.8% Tragic number: 11
Minnesota WildPoints: 81 Regulation wins: 29 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 8 Points pace: 90 Next game: vs. COL (Thursday) Playoff chances: 3.8% Tragic number: 10
e - Arizona CoyotesPoints: 67 Regulation wins: 25 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 8 Points pace: 74 Next game: vs. VAN (Wednesday) Playoff chances: 0% Tragic number: E
e - Chicago BlackhawksPoints: 49 Regulation wins: 16 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 7 Points pace: 54 Next game: vs. DAL (Saturday) Playoff chances: 0% Tragic number: E
Pacific Division x - Vancouver CanucksPoints: 100 Regulation wins: 40 Playoff position: P1 Games left: 7 Points pace: 109 Next game: @ ARI (Wednesday) Playoff chances: 100% Tragic number: N/A
Edmonton OilersPoints: 95 Regulation wins: 35 Playoff position: P2 Games left: 9 Points pace: 107 Next game: @ DAL (Wednesday) Playoff chances: 99.9% Tragic number: N/A
Vegas Golden KnightsPoints: 92 Regulation wins: 32 Playoff position: P3 Games left: 7 Points pace: 101 Next game: @ ARI (Friday) Playoff chances: 99.6% Tragic number: N/A
Los Angeles KingsPoints: 87 Regulation wins: 32 Playoff position: WC2 Games left: 8 Points pace: 96 Next game: vs. SEA (Wednesday) Playoff chances: 92.4% Tragic number: N/A
Seattle KrakenPoints: 75 Regulation wins: 25 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 8 Points pace: 83 Next game: @ LA (Wednesday) Playoff chances: ~0% Tragic number: 4
Calgary FlamesPoints: 73 Regulation wins: 29 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 8 Points pace: 81 Next game: @ WPG (Thursday) Playoff chances: ~0% Tragic number: 2
e - Anaheim DucksPoints: 54 Regulation wins: 19 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 6 Points pace: 58 Next game: vs. SEA (Friday) Playoff chances: 0% Tragic number: E
e - San Jose SharksPoints: 42 Regulation wins: 13 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 8 Points pace: 47 Next game: vs. LA (Thursday) 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 pickThe 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.
1. San Jose SharksPoints: 42 Regulation wins: 13
2. Chicago BlackhawksPoints: 49 Regulation wins: 16
3. Anaheim DucksPoints: 54 Regulation wins: 19
4. Columbus Blue JacketsPoints: 62 Regulation wins: 19
5. Arizona CoyotesPoints: 67 Regulation wins: 25
6. Montreal CanadiensPoints: 70 Regulation wins: 19
7. Ottawa SenatorsPoints: 70 Regulation wins: 24
8. Calgary FlamesPoints: 73 Regulation wins: 29
9. Seattle KrakenPoints: 75 Regulation wins: 25
10. New Jersey DevilsPoints: 76 Regulation wins: 31
11. Buffalo SabresPoints: 77 Regulation wins: 30
12. Pittsburgh Penguins*Points: 79 Regulation wins: 29
13. New York IslandersPoints: 81 Regulation wins: 24
14. Minnesota WildPoints: 81 Regulation wins: 29
15. Detroit Red WingsPoints: 82 Regulation wins: 26
16. St. Louis BluesPoints: 84 Regulation wins: 29
* The Penguins' first-round pick was traded to the Sharks as part of the Erik Karlsson trade. However, it is top-10 protected.