NHL playoff watch: Jets-Hurricanes a Stanley Cup Ultimate preview?

There are some who noticed what the Carolina Hurricanes did on the trade deadline — or maybe failed to do after they traded Mikko Rantanen — and consider they’re cooked relating to the Stanley Cup playoffs. Nevertheless, primarily based on the projections from Stathletes, the Canes stay the group with the very best probabilities of successful the Cup, at 16.7%.

Standing earlier than them on Sunday are the Winnipeg Jets (5 p.m. ET, ESPN+). The Jets had a comparatively quiet deadline, including Luke Schenn and Brandon Tanev, although typically these additions are the varieties of small tweaks that may push a contender over the sting. Because it stands, the Jets enter their showdown towards the Canes with the sixth-highest Cup possibilities, at 8.7%.

Carolina has made two journeys to the Cup Ultimate: a loss to the Detroit Red Wings in 2002 and a win over the Edmonton Oilers in 2006. The Canes have reached the convention finals thrice since (2009, 2019, 2023). Winnipeg has but to make the Cup Ultimate, and was defeated 4-1 within the 2018 Western Convention finals by the Vegas Golden Knights within the membership’s lone journey to the penultimate stage.

Each golf equipment are due. Will this be their 12 months?

There’s quite a lot of runway left till the ultimate day of the season on April 17, and we’ll aid you maintain observe of all of it right here on the NHL playoff watch. As we traverse the ultimate stretch, we’ll present element on all of the playoff races — together with the groups jockeying for place within the 2025 NHL draft lottery.

Word: Playoff chances are high through Stathletes.

Leap forward:
Current playoff matchups
Saturday’s schedule
Friday’s scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick

Present playoff matchups

Japanese Convention

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

Western Convention

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

Sunday’s video games

Word: All occasions ET. All video games not on TNT or NHL Community are available to stream on ESPN+ (native blackout restrictions apply).

New Jersey Devils at Philadelphia Flyers, 1 p.m. (TNT)
Seattle Kraken at Washington Capitals, 3:30 p.m.
Pittsburgh Penguins at Minnesota Wild, 3:30 p.m. (TNT)
Winnipeg Jets at Carolina Hurricanes, 5 p.m.
Columbus Blue Jackets at New York Rangers, 6 p.m.
Los Angeles Kings at Vegas Golden Knights, 8 p.m.
Dallas Stars at Vancouver Canucks, 9 p.m.
New York Islanders at Anaheim Ducks, 9 p.m.

Saturday’s scoreboard

Ottawa Senators 4, New York Rangers 3 (OT)
Seattle Kraken 4, Philadelphia Flyers 1
Boston Bruins 4, Tampa Bay Lightning 0
Florida Panthers 4, Buffalo Sabres 0
Colorado Avalanche 7, Toronto Maple Leafs 4
Calgary Flames 1, Montreal Canadiens 0
Nashville Predators 3, Chicago Blackhawks 2 (OT)
Los Angeles Kings 2, St. Louis Blues 1 (OT)
Edmonton Oilers 5, Dallas Stars 4
New York Islanders 4, San Jose Sharks 2

Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

Florida Panthers

Factors: 83
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff place: A1
Video games left: 18
Factors tempo: 106.3
Subsequent recreation: @ BOS (Tuesday)
Playoff possibilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Toronto Maple Leafs

Factors: 79
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff place: A2
Video games left: 19
Factors tempo: 102.8
Subsequent recreation: @ UTA (Monday)
Playoff possibilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Tampa Bay Lightning

Factors: 78
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff place: A3
Video games left: 19
Factors tempo: 101.5
Subsequent recreation: @ CAR (Tuesday)
Playoff possibilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Ottawa Senators

Factors: 69
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff place: WC1
Video games left: 20
Factors tempo: 91.3
Subsequent recreation: vs. DET (Monday)
Playoff possibilities: 85.4%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Detroit Red Wings

Factors: 66
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 19
Factors tempo: 85.9
Subsequent recreation: @ OTT (Monday)
Playoff possibilities: 8.3%
Tragic quantity: 37

Montreal Canadiens

Factors: 66
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 19
Factors tempo: 85.9
Subsequent recreation: @ VAN (Tuesday)
Playoff possibilities: 19.8%
Tragic quantity: 37

Boston Bruins

Factors: 66
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 17
Factors tempo: 83.3
Subsequent recreation: vs. FLA (Tuesday)
Playoff possibilities: 2.5%
Tragic quantity: 33

Buffalo Sabres

Factors: 54
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 20
Factors tempo: 71.4
Subsequent recreation: vs. EDM (Monday)
Playoff possibilities: 0.1%
Tragic quantity: 27

Metro Division

Washington Capitals

Factors: 90
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff place: M1
Video games left: 19
Factors tempo: 117.1
Subsequent recreation: vs. SEA (Sunday)
Playoff possibilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Carolina Hurricanes

Factors: 78
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff place: M2
Video games left: 19
Factors tempo: 101.5
Subsequent recreation: vs. WPG (Sunday)
Playoff possibilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

New Jersey Devils

Factors: 72
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff place: M3
Video games left: 18
Factors tempo: 92.3
Subsequent recreation: @ PHI (Sunday)
Playoff possibilities: 86.5%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Columbus Blue Jackets

Factors: 68
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff place: WC2
Video games left: 20
Factors tempo: 89.9
Subsequent recreation: @ NYR (Sunday)
Playoff possibilities: 27.1%
Tragic quantity: N/A

New York Rangers

Factors: 68
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 19
Factors tempo: 88.5
Subsequent recreation: vs. CBJ (Sunday)
Playoff possibilities: 31.1%
Tragic quantity: 39

New York Islanders

Factors: 65
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 20
Factors tempo: 86.0
Subsequent recreation: @ LA (Tuesday)
Playoff possibilities: 29.7%
Tragic quantity: 38

Philadelphia Flyers

Factors: 62
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 18
Factors tempo: 79.4
Subsequent recreation: vs. NJ (Sunday)
Playoff possibilities: 9.5%
Tragic quantity: 31

Pittsburgh Penguins

Factors: 58
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 17
Factors tempo: 73.1
Subsequent recreation: @ MIN (Sunday)
Playoff possibilities: 0.1%
Tragic quantity: 25

Central Division

Winnipeg Jets

Factors: 92
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff place: C1
Video games left: 18
Factors tempo: 117.9
Subsequent recreation: @ CAR (Sunday)
Playoff possibilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Dallas Stars

Factors: 84
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff place: C2
Video games left: 19
Factors tempo: 109.3
Subsequent recreation: @ VAN (Sunday)
Playoff possibilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Colorado Avalanche

Factors: 78
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff place: C3
Video games left: 18
Factors tempo: 99.9
Subsequent recreation: vs. CHI (Monday)
Playoff possibilities: 99.6%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Minnesota Wild

Factors: 76
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff place: WC1
Video games left: 19
Factors tempo: 98.9
Subsequent recreation: vs. PIT (Sunday)
Playoff possibilities: 94.4%
Tragic quantity: N/A

St. Louis Blues

Factors: 69
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 17
Factors tempo: 87.1
Subsequent recreation: @ PIT (Thursday)
Playoff possibilities: 37.2%
Tragic quantity: 34

Utah Hockey Club

Factors: 66
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 19
Factors tempo: 85.9
Subsequent recreation: vs. TOR (Monday)
Playoff possibilities: 26.4%
Tragic quantity: 35

Nashville Predators

Factors: 55
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 19
Factors tempo: 71.6
Subsequent recreation: @ SJ (Tuesday)
Playoff possibilities: 0.1%
Tragic quantity: 24

Chicago Blackhawks

Factors: 49
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 18
Factors tempo: 62.8
Subsequent recreation: @ COL (Monday)
Playoff possibilities: ~0%
Tragic quantity: 16

Pacific Division

Vegas Golden Knights

Factors: 82
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff place: P1
Video games left: 20
Factors tempo: 108.5
Subsequent recreation: vs. LA (Sunday)
Playoff possibilities: 99.9%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Edmonton Oilers

Factors: 78
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff place: P2
Video games left: 19
Factors tempo: 101.5
Subsequent recreation: @ BUF (Monday)
Playoff possibilities: 99.7%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Los Angeles Kings

Factors: 73
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff place: P3
Video games left: 21
Factors tempo: 98.1
Subsequent recreation: @ VGK (Sunday)
Playoff possibilities: 84.1%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Calgary Flames

Factors: 70
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff place: WC2
Video games left: 19
Factors tempo: 91.1
Subsequent recreation: vs. VAN (Wednesday)
Playoff possibilities: 27.5%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Vancouver Canucks

Factors: 69
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 20
Factors tempo: 91.3
Subsequent recreation: vs. DAL (Sunday)
Playoff possibilities: 30.9%
Tragic quantity: 40

Anaheim Ducks

Factors: 61
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 20
Factors tempo: 80.7
Subsequent recreation: vs. NYI (Sunday)
Playoff possibilities: 0.1%
Tragic quantity: 32

Seattle Kraken

Factors: 58
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 18
Factors tempo: 74.3
Subsequent recreation: @ WSH (Sunday)
Playoff possibilities: ~0%
Tragic quantity: 25

San Jose Sharks

Factors: 43
Regulation wins: 12
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 17
Factors tempo: 54.3
Subsequent recreation: vs. NSH (Tuesday)
Playoff possibilities: ~0%
Tragic quantity: 8

Race for the No. 1 choose

The NHL makes use of a draft lottery to find out the order of the primary spherical, so the group that finishes in final place shouldn’t be assured the No. 1 choice. As of 2021, a group can transfer up a most of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so solely 11 groups are eligible for the draw for the No. 1 choose. Full details on the process can be found here. Sitting No. 1 on the draft board for this summer season is Matthew Schaefer, a defenseman for the OHL’s Erie Otters.

1. San Jose Sharks

Factors: 43
Regulation wins: 12

2. Chicago Blackhawks

Factors: 49
Regulation wins: 17

3. Buffalo Sabres

Factors: 54
Regulation wins: 20

4. Nashville Predators

Factors: 55
Regulation wins: 20

5. Pittsburgh Penguins

Factors: 58
Regulation wins: 16

6. Seattle Kraken

Factors: 58
Regulation wins: 22

7. Anaheim Ducks

Factors: 61
Regulation wins: 19

8. Philadelphia Flyers

Factors: 62
Regulation wins: 17

9. New York Islanders

Factors: 65
Regulation wins: 23

10. Utah Hockey Club

Factors: 66
Regulation wins: 20

11. Montreal Canadiens

Factors: 66
Regulation wins: 21

12. Boston Bruins

Factors: 66
Regulation wins: 22

13. Detroit Red Wings

Factors: 66
Regulation wins: 22

14. New York Rangers

Factors: 68
Regulation wins: 29

15. St. Louis Blues

Factors: 69
Regulation wins: 22

16. Vancouver Canucks

Factors: 69
Regulation wins: 23