NHL Playoff Picture: Sunday Showdowns and Cup Contenders

This Sunday promises thrilling NHL action as seven teams return to the ice following an eventful Showdown Saturday, which featured 14 games across the league. A highlight of the day’s matchups includes a showdown between two recent Stanley Cup champions, as the Tampa Bay Lightning visit the Vegas Golden Knights at 8 p.m. ET, available on ESPN+.

Stanley Cup Contenders

According to analytics from Stathletes, the Vegas Golden Knights currently lead Western Conference teams with a playoff probability of 12.4%. Hot on their heels are the Colorado Avalanche at 12.3%, who are set to face the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday. Rounding out the top contenders are the Winnipeg Jets, boasting a 5.8% playoff chance as they host the Buffalo Sabres today, and the Edmonton Oilers with a 5.4% chance, who will not take the ice again until Wednesday.

Despite high-profile acquisitions, including Mikko Rantanen, the Dallas Stars hold a 3.1% chance, placing them seventh among Western teams, trailing the Los Angeles Kings (3.9%) and St. Louis Blues (3.5%). On the Eastern Conference side, the Tampa Bay Lightning stand second with a 12.6% chance of playoff success, behind the Carolina Hurricanes, who lead at 15.3%. The Hurricanes will continue their road trip against the Anaheim Ducks, also at 8 p.m. ET today.

Current Playoff Matchups

Eastern Conference

• A1 Florida Panthers vs. WC1 Ottawa Senators
• A2 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. A3 Tampa Bay Lightning
• M1 Washington Capitals vs. WC2 Montreal Canadiens
• M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 New Jersey Devils

Western Conference

• C1 Winnipeg Jets vs. WC2 St. Louis Blues
• C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche
• P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC1 Minnesota Wild
• P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings

Clinching Scenarios

The Winnipeg Jets are on the verge of securing a playoff berth. Specific clinching scenarios for additional teams will unfold as the regular season progresses towards its conclusion on April 17.

Schedule for Sunday’s Games

Below is the schedule for today’s matchups (all times ET). Note that games not broadcast on TNT or the NHL Network can be streamed on ESPN+ (local blackout restrictions apply):

• Philadelphia Flyers at Chicago Blackhawks, 3 p.m. (NHLN)
• Buffalo Sabres at Winnipeg Jets, 3 p.m.
• Pittsburgh Penguins at Florida Panthers, 6 p.m.
• Nashville Predators at St. Louis Blues, 6 p.m.
• Tampa Bay Lightning at Vegas Golden Knights, 8 p.m.
• Carolina Hurricanes at Anaheim Ducks, 8 p.m.
• Boston Bruins at Los Angeles Kings, 9 p.m.

Recent Scores from Saturday

Results from games played on Saturday lend a sense of urgency to the ongoing playoff race:

• New York Rangers 5, Vancouver Canucks 3
• Dallas Stars 3, Philadelphia Flyers 2 (OT)
• Minnesota Wild 4, Buffalo Sabres 1
• St. Louis Blues 4, Chicago Blackhawks 1
• Calgary Flames 4, New York Islanders 3 (OT)
• Los Angeles Kings 7, Carolina Hurricanes 2
• Washington Capitals 6, Florida Panthers 3
• Utah Hockey Club 6, Tampa Bay Lightning 4
• Colorado Avalanche 5, Montreal Canadiens 4 (SO)
• Ottawa Senators 3, New Jersey Devils 2
• Nashville Predators 5, Toronto Maple Leafs 2
• Vegas Golden Knights 6, Detroit Red Wings 3
• Edmonton Oilers 5, Seattle Kraken 4
• San Jose Sharks 3, Boston Bruins 1

Playoff Standings Overview

As the playoff race heats up, teams are positioned in their respective divisions with varying chances for postseason participation. The breakdown of divisional standings reflects not only points earned but also upcoming schedules and playoff probabilities.

Race for the No. 1 Pick

The NHL employs a draft lottery system to determine the order for the first round of the draft, with the last-place team not guaranteed the top selection. As of now, several teams have their sights set on securing a better position for future drafts, including standout prospects like Matthew Schaefer, a defenseman from the OHL’s Erie Otters, currently ranked first on the draft board.

It’s clear that while playoff contention enhances a team’s success narrative, the strategic importance of upcoming draft selections also plays a critical role in shaping future franchise prospects.

If you would like to stay updated on breaking news and insights, consider downloading the ESPN app and enabling news alerts for the latest in the hockey world.