Friday’s NHL action was all about the achievements of Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin, who scored twice to tie Wayne Gretzky’s goal record.
Otherwise, there was little impact on the postseason picture, with no team having a chance to clinch or move in or out of a playoff position.
That will change on Saturday as the Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers and Los Angeles Kings can clinch (see below).
In addition, the Kings (95 points) and Edmonton Oilers (93) play in a Pacific Division game that will have a big impact on who gets home-ice advantage if they meet again in the first round.
In the tightening Central Division title race, the Winnipeg Jets (108) and Dallas Stars (104) are both in action. Dallas has won seven in a row and has a game in hand.
The Montreal Canadiens (81), New York Rangers (79) and Columbus Blue Jackets (77) are in action in the tight Eastern Conference wild-card race.
The St. Louis Blues, playing the Colorado Avalanche, can extend their winning streak to a franchise-record 12 games and put distance between them and the idle Minnesota Wild in the race for the West’s first wild-card spot.
The NHL playoff standings are a jumble with many teams in contention. Here’s a look at the playoff picture:
Who’s in the NHL playoffs?
Eastern Conference: Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs
Western Conference: Winnipeg Jets, Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, Vegas Golden Knights
Who can clinch today?
The Lightning will clinch a playoff berth if they get at least one point vs. the Sabres. They’d also get in if Canadiens lose to the Flyers in regulation or the Rangers don’t beat the Devils in regulation.
The Panthers will clinch if beat the Senators. They also will if they get one point and either of the following happens: the Rangers lose or the Canadiens lose to the Flyers in regulation. Third option: the Blue Jackets lose to the Maple Leafs and the Rangers lose in regulation.
The Kings will clinch if the beat the Oilers and the Flames lose to the Golden Knights. They’d also get if they get one point and the Flames lose in regulation.
NHL games today (Saturday, April 5)
N.Y. Rangers at New Jersey, 12:30, ABC | ESPN+ | Fubo
Florida at Ottawa, 2
Pittsburgh at Dallas, 3, ABC | ESPN+ | Fubo
Anaheim at Vancouver, 4
Edmonton at Los Angeles, 4
Carolina at Boston, 7
Tampa Bay at Buffalo, 7
Columbus at Toronto, 7
Philadelphia at Montreal, 7
Colorado at St. Louis, 7
Winnipeg at Utah, 7
Vegas at Calgary, 10
Seattle at San Jose, 10
NHL Eastern Conference standings 2024-25
(as of April 4)
Metropolitan Division
x-Washington Capitals (107 points)
x-Carolina Hurricanes (96)
New Jersey Devils (87)
Atlantic Division
x-Toronto Maple Leafs (96)
Tampa Bay Lightning (93)
Florida Panthers (92)
Wild card
Ottawa Senators (86)
Montreal Canadiens (81)
Sitting outside playoff position:New York Rangers (79), Columbus Blue Jackets (77), Detroit Red Wings (77), New York Islanders (76), Pittsburgh Penguins (72), Philadelphia Flyers (71), Buffalo Sabres (70), Boston Bruins (69)
NHL Western Conference standings 2024-25
(as of April 4)
Central Division
x-Winnipeg Jets (108)
x-Dallas Stars (104)
x-Colorado Avalanche (98)
Pacific Division
x-Vegas Golden Knights (98)
Los Angeles Kings (95)
Edmonton Oilers (93)
Wild card
St. Louis Blues (91)
Minnesota Wild (89)
Sitting outside playoff spot: Calgary Flames (84), Vancouver Canucks (81), Utah Hockey Club (80), z-Anaheim Ducks (74), z-Seattle Kraken (70), z-Nashville Predators (62), z-Chicago Blackhawks (52), z-San Jose Sharks (50)
x-clinched playoff spot; z-eliminated
NHL Eastern Conference playoff bracket
Here is how the Eastern Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended April 4:
Key: M – Metropolitan Division. A – Atlantic Division. WC – wild card
Washington (M1) vs. Montreal (WC2)
Carolina (M2) vs. New Jersey (M3)
Toronto (A1) vs. Ottawa (WC1)
Tampa Bay (A2) vs. Florida (A3)
The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth.
NHL Western Conference playoff bracket
Here is how the Western Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended April 4:
Key: C – Central Division P – Pacific Division. WC – wild card
Winnipeg (C1) vs. Minnesota (WC2)
Dallas (C2) vs. Colorado (C3)
Vegas (P1) vs. St. Louis (WC1)
Los Angeles (P2) vs. Edmonton (P3)
The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth.
When does the NHL regular season end?
The NHL regular season is scheduled to end on Thursday, April 17, with seven games.
When do the NHL playoffs start?
The NHL’s Stanley Cup playoffs are scheduled to begin on Saturday, April 19.
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