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SPORTS

NHL playoff standings: Must-win game for the Red Wings?

ByESPN

Monday, April 1, 2024

Of the three Atlantic Division teams that were supposed to make the leap into serious playoff contention this season -- the Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators -- only the Wings realistically remain in the race as the month of April begins.

But with a 3-5-2 record in their past 10 games, their playoff chances are dwindling.

Heading into Monday night's matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning (7 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+), the Red Wings are two points and three regulation wins behind the Washington Capitals and Philadelphia Flyers (two clubs that are also duking it out for the No. 3 spot in the Metro Division).

The good news for Detroit is that Philly has hit a bit of a skid itself, with a 3-5-2 record in its past 10 games as well; in addition, Detroit has a game in hand. Of course, having the extra game doesn't matter if it doesn't turn into a win. Three of the Wings' final seven games beyond Monday are against teams in playoff position (including one against the Capitals). After their Monday game against the New York Islanders (7 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+), the Flyers play two of their final six against teams in playoff position.

What about the Capitals? They have a game in hand on Detroit (and two on Philly). They'll take on the Sabres on Tuesday, then play four of their final eight contests against current playoff teams.

Detroit won its first two games against Tampa Bay this season. A third W on Monday night would be a big boost to the Red Wings' chances of getting back in playoff position.

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

Monday's schedule

Sunday's scores

Expanded standings

Race for No. 1 pick

Current playoff matchups

Eastern Conference

A1 Boston Bruins vs. WC1 Tampa Bay Lightning

A2 Florida Panthers vs. A3 Toronto Maple Leafs

M1 New York Rangers vs. WC2 Philadelphia Flyers

M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 Washington Capitals

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 scenario

The Toronto Maple Leafs can clinch a playoff berth if they defeat the Florida Panthers in regulation AND both of the following happen:

The Detroit Red Wings lose to the Tampa Bay Lightning in regulation
Any result in the Philadelphia Flyers-New York Islanders game except for an Islanders win in overtime

Toronto can also get in if it defeats Florida in overtime or shootout AND both of the following happen:

The Red Wings lose to the Lightning in regulation
Any result in the Flyers-Islanders game other than an Isles win in OT or the shootout

Monday's games

Note: 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).

Florida Panthers at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m.

Detroit Red Wings at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7 p.m.

Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Rangers, 7 p.m.

New York Islanders at Philadelphia Flyers, 7 p.m.

Colorado Avalanche at Columbus Blue Jackets, 7 p.m.

Edmonton Oilers at St. Louis Blues, 9 p.m. (ESPN+/Hulu)

Los Angeles Kings at Winnipeg Jets, 9 p.m.

Seattle Kraken at San Jose Sharks, 10:30 p.m.

Sunday's scoreboard

Vancouver Canucks 3, Anaheim Ducks 2

Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

x - Boston Bruins

Points: 101

Regulation wins: 33

Playoff position: A1

Games left: 7

Points pace: 110

Next game: @ NSH (Tuesday)

Playoff chances: 100%

Tragic number: N/A

x - Florida Panthers

Points: 99

Regulation wins: 38

Playoff position: A2

Games left: 8

Points pace: 110

Next game: @ TOR (Monday)

Playoff chances: 100%

Tragic number: N/A

Toronto Maple Leafs

Points: 93

Regulation wins: 30

Playoff position: A3

Games left: 9

Points pace: 105

Next game: vs. FLA (Monday)

Playoff chances: 99.9%

Tragic number: N/A

Tampa Bay Lightning

Points: 89

Regulation wins: 33

Playoff position: WC1

Games left: 9

Points pace: 100

Next game: vs. DET (Monday)

Playoff chances: 99.9%

Tragic number: N/A

Detroit Red Wings

Points: 80

Regulation wins: 25

Playoff position: N/A

Games left: 8

Points pace: 89

Next game: @ TB (Monday)

Playoff chances: 28.0%

Tragic number: 14

Buffalo Sabres

Points: 75

Regulation wins: 29

Playoff position: N/A

Games left: 7

Points pace: 82

Next game: vs. WSH (Tuesday)

Playoff chances: 0.3%

Tragic number: 7

Ottawa Senators

Points: 70

Regulation wins: 24

Playoff position: N/A

Games left: 9

Points pace: 79

Next game: @ MIN (Tuesday)

Playoff chances:0%

Tragic number: 6

Montreal Canadiens

Points: 68

Regulation wins: 18

Playoff position: N/A

Games left: 9

Points pace: 76

Next game: vs. FLA (Tuesday)

Playoff chances:0%

Tragic number: 4

Metropolitan Division

x - New York Rangers

Points: 104

Regulation wins: 39

Playoff position: M1

Games left: 8

Points pace: 115

Next game: vs. PIT (Monday)

Playoff chances: 100%

Tragic number: N/A

x - Carolina Hurricanes

Points: 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

Washington Capitals

Points: 82

Regulation wins: 28

Playoff position: M3

Games left: 9

Points pace: 92

Next game: @ BUF (Tuesday)

Playoff chances: 75.5%

Tragic number: N/A

Philadelphia Flyers

Points: 82

Regulation wins: 28

Playoff position: WC2

Games left: 7

Points pace: 890

Next game: vs. NYI (Monday)

Playoff chances: 71.9%

Tragic number: N/A

New York Islanders

Points: 77

Regulation wins: 23

Playoff position: N/A

Games left: 9

Points pace: 87

Next game: @ PHI (Monday)

Playoff chances: 15.6%

Tragic number: 13

New Jersey Devils

Points: 76

Regulation wins: 31

Playoff position: N/A

Games left: 8

Points pace: 84

Next game: vs. PIT (Tuesday)

Playoff chances: 6.9%

Tragic number: 10

Pittsburgh Penguins

Points: 75

Regulation wins: 27

Playoff position: N/A

Games left: 9

Points pace: 84

Next game: @ NYR (Monday)

Playoff chances: 1.8%

Tragic number: 11

e - Columbus Blue Jackets

Points: 60

Regulation wins: 18

Playoff position: N/A

Games left: 8

Points pace: 67

Next game: vs. COL (Monday)

Playoff chances: 0%

Tragic number: E

Central Division

x - Dallas Stars

Points: 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 Avalanche

Points: 100

Regulation wins: 39

Playoff position: C2

Games left: 8

Points pace: 111

Next game: @ CBJ (Monday)

Playoff chances: 100%

Tragic number: N/A

Winnipeg Jets

Points: 94

Regulation wins: 39

Playoff position: C3

Games left: 8

Points pace: 104

Next game: vs. LA (Monday)

Playoff chances: 99.9%

Tragic number: N/A

Nashville Predators

Points: 90

Regulation wins: 35

Playoff position: WC1

Games left: 8

Points pace: 100

Next game: vs. BOS (Tuesday)

Playoff chances: 99.6%

Tragic number: N/A

St. Louis Blues

Points: 82

Regulation wins: 29

Playoff position: N/A

Games left: 8

Points pace: 91

Next game: vs. EDM (Monday)

Playoff chances: 1.8%

Tragic number: 11

Minnesota Wild

Points: 79

Regulation wins: 28

Playoff position: N/A

Games left: 9

Points pace: 89

Next game: vs. OTT (Tuesday)

Playoff chances: 1.4%

Tragic number: 10

e - Arizona Coyotes

Points: 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 Blackhawks

Points: 49

Regulation wins: 16

Playoff position: N/A

Games left: 8

Points pace: 54

Next game: @ NYI (Tuesday)

Playoff chances: 0%

Tragic number: E

Pacific Division

x - Vancouver Canucks

Points: 100

Regulation wins: 40

Playoff position: P1

Games left: 8

Points pace: 111

Next game: @ VGK (Tuesday)

Playoff chances: 100%

Tragic number: N/A

Edmonton Oilers

Points: 94

Regulation wins: 35

Playoff position: P2

Games left: 10

Points pace: 107

Next game: @ STL (Monday)

Playoff chances: 99.9%

Tragic number: N/A

Vegas Golden Knights

Points: 90

Regulation wins: 31

Playoff position: P3

Games left: 8

Points pace: 100

Next game: vs. VAN (Tuesday)

Playoff chances: 99.2%

Tragic number: N/A

Los Angeles Kings

Points: 87

Regulation wins: 32

Playoff position: WC2

Games left: 9

Points pace: 98

Next game: @ WPG (Monday)

Playoff chances: 98.1%

Tragic number: N/A

Calgary Flames

Points: 73

Regulation wins: 29

Playoff position: N/A

Games left: 9

Points pace: 82

Next game: vs. ANA (Tuesday)

Playoff chances:0%

Tragic number: 4

Seattle Kraken

Points: 73

Regulation wins: 24

Playoff position: N/A

Games left: 9

Points pace: 82

Next game: @ SJ (Monday)

Playoff chances:0%

Tragic number: 4

e - Anaheim Ducks

Points: 52

Regulation wins: 18

Playoff position: N/A

Games left: 7

Points pace: 57

Next game: @ CGY (Tuesday)

Playoff chances: 0%

Tragic number: E

e - San Jose Sharks

Points: 42

Regulation wins: 13

Playoff position: N/A

Games left: 9

Points pace: 47

Next game: vs. SEA (Monday)

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 pick

The 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.