NHL playoff watch: Oilers-Avs a convention remaining preview?

With 4 days left of the 2022-23 NHL common season, we all know the identification of 13 out of 16 playoff groups. However fairly a little bit of particular seeding stays to be decided.

That course of continues tonight by way of a 10-game schedule, highlighted by a doubleheader on ESPN.

Within the first recreation, the previous turns into the current to preview the longer term, because the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning reprise their first-round conflict from the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs (7 p.m. ET, ESPN), every week earlier than they’re going to run it again within the first spherical of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Within the late recreation, the Edmonton Oilers go to the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche (9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) in a preview of a attainable Western Convention finals showdown.

How doubtless is that pairing? As of now, the Oilers will host the Los Angeles Kings within the Pacific Division 2 vs. 3 matchup, earlier than taking over the winner of the Vegas Golden Knights‘ collection towards the second Western wild card (at the moment the Winnipeg Jets). The Avs are main the Central, and would tackle the primary wild card Seattle Kraken earlier than transferring on to problem the winner of the Dallas Stars–Minnesota Wild collection.

As talked about, a lot of this might change earlier than the event begins on Monday, however Cash Puck provides these two groups the very best probabilities of any Western golf equipment of constructing the convention finals: 40.5% for the Oilers and 39.1% for the Avs.

At the moment’s clinching situations

1. The Florida Panthers will clinch a playoff spot if the Buffalo Sabres lose to the New Jersey Devils in any vogue and the Pittsburgh Penguins lose to the Chicago Blackhawks in regulation.

2. The Winnipeg Jets will earn a playoff berth in the event that they get at the very least one level towards the Minnesota Wild.

3. The Carolina Hurricanes clinch the Metro Division title in the event that they beat the Detroit Red Wings in any vogue and the Devils lose to the Sabres in regulation.

As we enter the ultimate stretch of the common season, it is time to verify all of the playoff races — together with the groups jockeying for place within the 2023 NHL draft lottery.

Be aware: Playoff likelihood is by way of FiveThirtyEight.

Bounce forward:
Current playoff matchups
Today’s schedule
Last night’s scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick

Present playoff matchups

Japanese Convention

A1 Boston Bruins vs. WC2 New York Islanders
A2 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. A3 Tampa Bay Lightning
M1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. WC1 Florida Panthers
M2 New Jersey Devils vs. M3 New York Rangers

Western Convention

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

Tuesday’s video games

Be aware: All instances Japanese. All video games not on ESPN, TNT or NHL Community can be found by way of NHL Energy Play, which is included in an ESPN+ subscription (native blackout restrictions apply).

Washington Capitals at Boston Bruins, 7 p.m.
Detroit Red Wings at Carolina Hurricanes, 7 p.m.
Buffalo Sabres at New Jersey Devils, 7 p.m.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Philadelphia Flyers, 7 p.m.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Chicago Blackhawks at Pittsburgh Penguins, 7:30 p.m.
Winnipeg Jets at Minnesota Wild, 8 p.m.
Edmonton Oilers at Colorado Avalanche, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Vancouver Canucks at Anaheim Ducks, 10 p.m.
Seattle Kraken at Vegas Golden Knights, 10 p.m.

Monday’s scoreboard

Watch “In the Crease” on ESPN+ for highlights from each recreation.

Dallas Stars 6, Detroit Red Wings 1
Toronto Maple Leafs 2, Florida Panthers 1 (OT)
Buffalo Sabres 3, New York Rangers 2 (SO)
Ottawa Senators 3, Carolina Hurricanes 2
Washington Capitals 5, New York Islanders 2
Winnipeg Jets 6, San Jose Sharks 2
Minnesota Wild 4, Chicago Blackhawks 2
Nashville Predators 3, Calgary Flames 2 (SO)
Seattle Kraken 4, Arizona Coyotes 1
Los Angeles Kings 3, Vancouver Canucks 0

Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

p – Boston Bruins

Factors: 131
Regulation wins: 52
Playoff place: A1
Video games left: 2
Factors tempo: 134
Subsequent recreation: vs. WSH (Tuesday)
Playoff possibilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A

x – Toronto Maple Leafs

Factors: 107
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff place: A2
Video games left: 2
Factors tempo: 110
Subsequent recreation: @ TB (Tuesday)
Playoff possibilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A

x – Tampa Bay Lightning

Factors: 96
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff place: A3
Video games left: 2
Factors tempo: 98
Subsequent recreation: vs. TOR (Tuesday)
Playoff possibilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Florida Panthers

Factors: 92
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff place: WC1
Video games left: 1
Factors tempo: 93
Subsequent recreation: vs. CAR (Thursday)
Playoff possibilities: 82%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Buffalo Sabres

Factors: 87
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 3
Factors tempo: 90
Subsequent recreation: @ NJ (Tuesday)
Playoff possibilities: 4%
Tragic quantity: 2

e – Ottawa Senators

Factors: 85
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 1
Factors tempo: 86
Subsequent recreation: @ BUF (Thursday)
Playoff possibilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E

e – Detroit Red Wings

Factors: 80
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 2
Factors tempo: 82
Subsequent recreation: @ CAR (Tuesday)
Playoff possibilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E

e – Montreal Canadiens

Factors: 68
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 2
Factors tempo: 70
Subsequent recreation: @ NYI (Wednesday)
Playoff possibilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E

Metropolitan Division

x – Carolina Hurricanes

Factors: 109
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff place: M1
Video games left: 2
Factors tempo: 112
Subsequent recreation: vs. DET (Tuesday)
Playoff possibilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A

x – New Jersey Devils

Factors: 108
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff place: M2
Video games left: 2
Factors tempo: 111
Subsequent recreation: vs. BUF (Tuesday)
Playoff possibilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A

x – New York Rangers

Factors: 107
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff place: M3
Video games left: 1
Factors tempo: 108
Subsequent recreation: vs. TOR (Thursday)
Playoff possibilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A

New York Islanders

Factors: 91
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff place: WC2
Video games left: 1
Factors tempo: 92
Subsequent recreation: vs. MTL (Wednesday)
Playoff possibilities: 57%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Pittsburgh Penguins

Factors: 90
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 2
Factors tempo: 92
Subsequent recreation: vs. CHI (Tuesday)
Playoff possibilities: 57%
Tragic quantity: 3

e – Washington Capitals

Factors: 79
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 2
Factors tempo: 81
Subsequent recreation: @ BOS (Tuesday)
Playoff possibilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E

e – Philadelphia Flyers

Factors: 71
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 2
Factors tempo: 73
Subsequent recreation: vs. CBJ (Tuesday)
Playoff possibilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E

e – Columbus Blue Jackets

Factors: 56
Regulation wins: 15
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 3
Factors tempo: 58
Subsequent recreation: @ PHI (Tuesday)
Playoff possibilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E

Central Division

x – Colorado Avalanche

Factors: 104
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff place: C1
Video games left: 3
Factors tempo: 108
Subsequent recreation: vs. EDM (Tuesday)
Playoff possibilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A

x – Dallas Stars

Factors: 104
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff place: C2
Video games left: 2
Factors tempo: 107
Subsequent recreation: @ STL (Wednesday)
Playoff possibilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A

x – Minnesota Wild

Factors: 102
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff place: C3
Video games left: 2
Factors tempo: 105
Subsequent recreation: vs. WPG (Tuesday)
Playoff possibilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Winnipeg Jets

Factors: 93
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff place: WC2
Video games left: 2
Factors tempo: 95
Subsequent recreation: @ MIN (Tuesday)
Playoff possibilities: 94%
Tragic quantity: N/A

Nashville Predators

Factors: 90
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 2
Factors tempo: 92
Subsequent recreation: vs. MIN (Thursday)
Playoff possibilities: 6%
Tragic quantity: 1

e – St. Louis Blues

Factors: 81
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 2
Factors tempo: 83
Subsequent recreation: vs. DAL (Wednesday)
Playoff possibilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E

e – Arizona Coyotes

Factors: 69
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 1
Factors tempo: 70
Subsequent recreation: vs. VAN (Thursday)
Playoff possibilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E

e – Chicago Blackhawks

Factors: 56
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 2
Factors tempo: 57
Subsequent recreation: @ PIT (Tuesday)
Playoff possibilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E

Pacific Division

x – Vegas Golden Knights

Factors: 107
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff place: P1
Video games left: 2
Factors tempo: 110
Subsequent recreation: vs. SEA (Tuesday)
Playoff possibilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A

x – Edmonton Oilers

Factors: 105
Regulation wins: 44
Playoff place: P2
Video games left: 2
Factors tempo: 108
Subsequent recreation: @ COL (Tuesday)
Playoff possibilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A

x – Los Angeles Kings

Factors: 102
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff place: P3
Video games left: 1
Factors tempo: 103
Subsequent recreation: @ ANA (Thursday)
Playoff possibilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A

x – Seattle Kraken

Factors: 100
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff place: WC1
Video games left: 2
Factors tempo: 103
Subsequent recreation: @ VGK (Tuesday)
Playoff possibilities: 100%
Tragic quantity: N/A

e – Calgary Flames

Factors: 91
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 1
Factors tempo: 92
Subsequent recreation: vs. SJ (Wednesday)
Playoff possibilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E

e – Vancouver Canucks

Factors: 79
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 2
Factors tempo: 81
Subsequent recreation: @ ANA (Tuesday)
Playoff possibilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E

e – San Jose Sharks

Factors: 60
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 2
Factors tempo: 62
Subsequent recreation: @ CGY (Wednesday)
Playoff possibilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E

e – Anaheim Ducks

Factors: 58
Regulation wins: 13
Playoff place: N/A
Video games left: 2
Factors tempo: 60
Subsequent recreation: vs. LA (Thursday)
Playoff possibilities: 0%
Tragic quantity: E

P — Clinched Presidents’ Trophy; Y — Clinched division; X — Clinched playoff berth; E — Eradicated from playoff rivalry

Race for the No. 1 decide

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 isn’t 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 decide. Full details on the process can be found here. Sitting No. 1 on the draft board for this summer season is Connor Bedard, who has been lauded as a generational expertise.

1. Columbus Blue Jackets

Factors: 56
Regulation wins: 15

2. Chicago Blackhawks

Factors: 56
Regulation wins: 17

3. Anaheim Ducks

Factors: 58
Regulation wins: 13

4. San Jose Sharks

Factors: 60
Regulation wins: 16

5. Montreal Canadiens

Factors: 68
Regulation wins: 21

6. Arizona Coyotes

Factors: 69
Regulation wins: 20

7. Philadelphia Flyers

Factors: 71
Regulation wins: 26

8. Vancouver Canucks

Factors: 79
Regulation wins: 23

9. Washington Capitals

Factors: 79
Regulation wins: 27

10. Detroit Red Wings

Factors: 80
Regulation wins: 28

11. St. Louis Blues

Factors: 81
Regulation wins: 27

12. Ottawa Senators

Factors: 85
Regulation wins: 31

13. Buffalo Sabres

Factors: 87
Regulation wins: 29

14. Nashville Predators

Factors: 90
Regulation wins: 29

15. Pittsburgh Penguins

Factors: 90
Regulation wins: 31

16. Calgary Flames

Factors: 91
Regulation wins: 30