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Saturdays during the NHL regular season are typically a heavy day on the schedule, and this week is no exception. While the playoff races (for both spots and positioning) play out, an 11-game slate is on hand. Here's a guide to each game, including the stakes for both teams.  
Buffalo Sabres at Philadelphia Flyers
1 p.m., NHL Network A push for the playoffs is a bit of a stretch when describing these two clubs. While technically not eliminated, both are more likely to win the draft lottery than make a miraculous run to the postseason. But draft position is important, too, and the loser of this game will have pushed its opponent down that inverse leaderboard.  
New York Islanders at Tampa Bay Lightning
2 p.m., ESPN+ Both of these teams need this game. For the Islanders, it's a chance to make moves on the final Eastern wild card. For the Lightning, an Atlantic Division title remains in reach.  
St. Louis Blues at Colorado Avalanche
4:30 p.m., ESPN+ Two of the hottest teams in the league square off, as Colorado's Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar get to wave hello to 4 Nations Face-Off teammate Jordan Binnington before attempting to put several pucks past him. The Avs are all but locked in to the No. 3 seed in the Central, while the Blues are ably fending off the masses behind them -- and could overtake the Wild as the West's first wild-card team if their winning ways continue.  
New Jersey Devils at Minnesota Wild
6 p.m., ESPN+ Whereas the Avs and Blues are on heaters, the Devils and Wild are treading water, hoping they can maintain their postseason tickets. The Devils enter the day as the Metro's No. 3 seed, nine points ahead of the Islanders. The Wild are two points ahead of the Blues as the first Western wild card, with the Canucks and Flames both within 10 points behind them.  
Vegas Golden Knights at Nashville Predators
6:30 p.m., ESPN+ Jonathan Marchessault's old teammates are in town for this matchup, and the two clubs' paths couldn't be more divergent; the Golden Knights are charging toward another Pacific Division crown (and hoping to put more distance between themselves and the Kings) while the Predators are in the bottom three, though likely at No. 3 exactly given that they are 11 points ahead of the Blackhawks.  
Columbus Blue Jackets at Ottawa Senators
7 p.m., ESPN+ If the Blue Jackets are going to solidify their playoff position, a "four-point game" like this one cannot be wasted -- earning them those points in the standings and denying the points to the Sens. Columbus enters this game in the second wild-card spot, and eight points back of Ottawa for the first.  
Toronto Maple Leafs at Los Angeles Kings
7 p.m., ESPN+ The West Coast swing continues for Toronto in what could be a Stanley Cup Final matchup if the Kings can manage to get past the Oilers in the first round (on their fourth try) and the Leafs can get to the Final for the first time since 1967. Toronto remains in a battle with the Panthers and Lightning for the Atlantic title, while L.A. begins the day seven points back of Vegas for first in the Pacific.  
Boston Bruins at Detroit Red Wings
8 p.m., ABC/ESPN+ The playoffs look less and less likely by the day for these Original 6 teams -- but the chances aren't entirely gone. But one of them will need to move quickly; Detroit (3-7-0 in its last 10) and Boston (2-7-1) are losing any buffer to make a miraculous run into the postseason. Will this game be a pivot point?  
Calgary Flames at Edmonton Oilers
10 p.m., ESPN+ This is the final Battle of Alberta matchup this regular season, after the teams split a pair of contests in the fall. Will they meet again in the playoffs? The Oilers are doing their part, sitting third in the Pacific. Calgary has work to do, as it is six points behind St. Louis and eight points behind Minnesota, who are each in wild-card position.  
New York Rangers at San Jose Sharks
10:30 p.m., ESPN+ Actual roller coasters are jealous of the peaks and valleys that the 2024-25 Rangers have navigated. Nevertheless, the Rangers are right in the mix for the second wild-card spot in the East. To say that anything less than two points from this game would be devastating would be accurate. As for the Sharks, they hold a two-point edge at the bottom of the standings ahead of the Blackhawks.  
Dallas Stars at Seattle Kraken
10:30 p.m., ESPN+ Can the Stars catch the Jets to be the top seed in the Central Division? They are six points back with 10 games remaining, so it's not entirely unreasonable to think so -- particularly with another matchup against Winnipeg on April 10. Obviously, a win is expected here over the Kraken, who are jockeying for draft lottery position with the Sabres, Flyers, Bruins and Penguins. There are less than three weeks left until April 17 and we'll help you track it all with the NHL playoff watch. As we traverse the final stretch, we'll provide details on all the playoff races, along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2025 NHL draft lottery. Note: Playoff chances are via Stathletes. Jump ahead:
Current playoff matchups
Today's schedule
Yesterday's scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick  Current playoff matchupsEastern Conference 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 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 Los Angeles Kings vs. P3 Edmonton Oilers
Saturday's gamesNote: All times ET. All games not on TNT or NHL Network are available to stream on ESPN+ (local blackout restrictions apply). Buffalo Sabres at Philadelphia Flyers, 1 p.m. (NHLN)
New York Islanders at Tampa Bay Lightning, 2 p.m.
St. Louis Blues at Colorado Avalanche, 4:30 p.m.
New Jersey Devils at Minnesota Wild, 6 p.m.
Vegas Golden Knights at Nashville Predators, 6:30 p.m.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Ottawa Senators, 7 p.m.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Los Angeles Kings, 7 p.m.
Boston Bruins at Detroit Red Wings, 8 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)
Calgary Flames at Edmonton Oilers, 10 p.m.
New York Rangers at San Jose Sharks, 10:30 p.m.
Dallas Stars at Seattle Kraken, 10:30 p.m.
Friday's scoreboardFlorida Panthers 2, Utah Hockey Club 1 (OT)
Carolina Hurricanes 4, Montreal Canadiens 1
Columbus Blue Jackets 7, Vancouver Canucks 6 (SO)
Winnipeg Jets 4, New Jersey Devils 0
Vegas Golden Knights 5, Chicago Blackhawks 3
Anaheim Ducks 5, New York Rangers 4 (OT)
Expanded standingsAtlantic Division Florida PanthersPoints: 91
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 10
Points pace: 103.6
Next game: vs. MTL (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A Toronto Maple LeafsPoints: 90
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 10
Points pace: 102.5
Next game: @ LA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A Tampa Bay LightningPoints: 89
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 10
Points pace: 101.4
Next game: vs. NYI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A Ottawa SenatorsPoints: 81
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 11
Points pace: 99.6
Next game: vs. CBJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 98.1%
Tragic number: N/A  Montreal CanadiensPoints: 75
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 85.4
Next game: @ FLA (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 28.0%
Tragic number: 21 Detroit Red WingsPoints: 72
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 82.0
Next game: vs. BOS (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 2.3%
Tragic number: 18 Boston BruinsPoints: 69
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 77.5
Next game: @ DET (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 13 Buffalo SabresPoints: 66
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 76.2
Next game: @ PHI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 14
Metro Division x - Washington CapitalsPoints: 103
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 10
Points pace: 117.3
Next game: vs. BUF (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A  Carolina HurricanesPoints: 92
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 10
Points pace: 104.8
Next game: vs. NYI (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A New Jersey DevilsPoints: 83
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 8
Points pace: 92.0
Next game: @ MIN (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 97.9%
Tragic number: N/A Columbus Blue JacketsPoints: 75
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 11
Points pace: 86.6
Next game: OTT (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 28.7%
Tragic number: N/A New York RangersPoints: 75
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 84.3
Next game: @ SJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 18.7%
Tragic number: 19 New York IslandersPoints: 74
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 85.5
Next game: @ TB (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 24.7%
Tragic number: 22  Pittsburgh PenguinsPoints: 69
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Points pace: 76.5
Next game: vs. OTT (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 11 Philadelphia FlyersPoints: 67
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Points pace: 74.2
Next game: vs. BUF (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 9
Central Division x - Winnipeg JetsPoints: 104
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 9
Points pace: 116.8
Next game: vs. VAN (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A Dallas StarsPoints: 98
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 10
Points pace: 111.6
Next game: @ SEA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A Colorado AvalanchePoints: 93
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 9
Points pace: 104.5
Next game: vs. STL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A Minnesota WildPoints: 87
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 9
Points pace: 97.7
Next game: vs. NJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 96.5%
Tragic number: N/A St. Louis BluesPoints: 85
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 8
Points pace: 94.2
Next game: @ COL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 89.8%
Tragic number: N/A  Utah Hockey ClubPoints: 76
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 85.4
Next game: @ CHI (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0.6%
Tragic number: 10 e - Nashville PredatorsPoints: 62
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 70.6
Next game: vs. VGK (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E  e - Chicago BlackhawksPoints: 51
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 57.3
Next game: vs. UTA (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Pacific DivisionVegas Golden KnightsPoints: 96
Regulation wins: 41
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 10
Points pace: 109.3
Next game: @ NSH (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A Los Angeles KingsPoints: 89
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 11
Points pace: 102.8
Next game: vs. TOR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A Edmonton OilersPoints: 87
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 10
Points pace: 99.1
Next game: vs. CGY (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 95.9%
Tragic number: N/A  Vancouver CanucksPoints: 81
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 91.0
Next game: @ WPG (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 6.4%
Tragic number: 16 Calgary FlamesPoints: 79
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 91.2
Next game: @ EDM (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 10.8%
Tragic number: 17  Anaheim DucksPoints: 72
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Points pace: 82.0
Next game: vs. TOR (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 8 Seattle KrakenPoints: 68
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 9
Points pace: 76.4
Next game: vs. DAL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 2 e - San Jose SharksPoints: 49
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 56.6
Next game: vs. NYR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E Note: An "x" means that the team has clinched a playoff berth. An "e" means that the team has been eliminated from playoff contention.
Race for the No. 1 pickThe 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 No. 1 pick. Full details on the process are here. Matthew Schaefer, a defenseman for the OHL's Erie Otters, is No. 1 on the draft board. 1. San Jose SharksPoints: 49
Regulation wins: 14 2. Chicago BlackhawksPoints: 51
Regulation wins: 18 3. Nashville PredatorsPoints: 62
Regulation wins: 23 4. Buffalo SabresPoints: 66
Regulation wins: 24 5. Philadelphia FlyersPoints: 67
Regulation wins: 18 6. Seattle KrakenPoints: 68
Regulation wins: 25 7. Pittsburgh PenguinsPoints: 69
Regulation wins: 20 8. Boston BruinsPoints: 69
Regulation wins: 23 9. Anaheim DucksPoints: 72
Regulation wins: 23 10. Detroit Red WingsPoints: 72
Regulation wins: 25 11. New York IslandersPoints: 74
Regulation wins: 25 12. New York RangersPoints: 75
Regulation wins: 31 13. Montreal CanadiensPoints: 75
Regulation wins: 24 14. Utah Hockey ClubPoints: 76
Regulation wins: 24 15. Calgary FlamesPoints: 79
Regulation wins: 26 16. Vancouver CanucksPoints: 81
Regulation wins: 26
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