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Tim KavanaghESPN.com
There are six games on the Sunday schedule in the NHL this week, and four of those six matchups are within the East Division.
A quick glance at the standings shows that a “Big Four” has emerged; while the New York Rangers are finishing the season out strong, the team they’re chasing for the final playoff slot — the Boston Bruins — has a four-point lead with two games in hand. One of those remaining games for Boston is hosting the division-leading Washington Capitals at high noon ET on Sunday.
The season series is tied 3-3, although the most recent contest was a bit lopsided. The Caps won 8-1 in Zdeno Chara‘s first game back in front of Boston fans after he signed with Washington this offseason. Bruins trade addition Taylor Hall comes in to the game on a hot streak, with a goal in two straight games.
As we enter 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 2021 NHL draft lottery.
Note: Playoff chances are via Money Puck. Tragic numbers are courtesy of Damian Echevarrieta of the NHL.
East Division
0:43
Alex Ovechkin scores a couple goals from distance helping the Capitals take down the Flyers.
Points: 62
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: E1
Games left: 11
Next game: @ BOS (Apr. 18)
Playoff chances: 98.7%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 59
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: E2
Games left: 12
Next game: @ BUF (Apr. 18)
Playoff chances: 99.1%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 58
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: E3
Games left: 12
Next game: @ PHI (Apr. 18)
Playoff chances: 92.6%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 54
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: E4
Games left: 14
Next game: vs. WSH (Apr. 18)
Playoff chances: 89.4%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 50
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Next game: @ NJ (Apr. 18)
Playoff chances: 19.2%
Tragic number: 21
Points: 46
Regulation wins: 13
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Next game: vs. NYI (Apr. 18)
Playoff chances: 1%
Tragic number: 16
Points: 34
Regulation wins: 11
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Next game: vs. NYR (Apr. 18)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: 6
Points: 29
Regulation wins: 8
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Next game: vs. PIT (Apr. 18)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Central Division
0:22
Carolina Hurricanes’ Jani Hakanpaa scores from distance off the faceoff giving Carolina the lead for good over Nashville in the third period.
Points: 62
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 13
Next game: @ TB (Apr. 19)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 61
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 11
Next game: vs. CBJ (Apr. 19)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 60
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 12
Next game: vs. CAR (Apr. 19)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 49
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff position: C4
Games left: 10
Next game: vs. CHI (Apr. 19)
Playoff chances: 28.1%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 47
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Next game: @ NSH (Apr. 19)
Playoff chances: 10.4%
Tragic number: 20
Points: 46
Regulation wins: 15
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Next game: vs. DET (Apr. 19)
Playoff chances: 61.5%
Tragic number: 23
Points: 39
Regulation wins: 11
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Next game: @ FLA (Apr. 19)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: 10
Points: 38
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Next game: @ DAL (Apr. 19)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: 9
North Division
0:31
Edmonton Oilers’ Jesse Puljujarvi scores the one-timer from up close helping Edmonton take down Winnipeg 3-0.
Points: 60
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N1
Games left: 12
Next game: @ VAN (Apr. 18)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 57
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N2
Games left: 11
Next game: vs. TOR (Apr. 22)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 54
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N3
Games left: 13
Next game: vs. MTL (Apr. 19)
Playoff chances: 99.2%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 47
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N4
Games left: 14
Next game: @ EDM (Apr. 19)
Playoff chances: 76.8%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 41
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Next game: vs. OTT (Apr. 19)
Playoff chances: 20.3%
Tragic number: 18
Points: 35
Regulation wins: 11
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Next game: vs. TOR (Apr. 18)
Playoff chances: 3.8%
Tragic number: 26
Points: 34
Regulation wins: 11
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Next game: @ CGY (Apr. 19)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: 9
West Division
0:21
Coyotes’ Michael Bunting redirects the puck in the front of the net giving Phoenix the 3-2 win.
Points: 64
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: W1
Games left: 13
Next game: @ STL (Apr. 22)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 62
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: W2
Games left: 13
Next game: @ ANA (Apr. 18)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 57
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: W3
Games left: 13
Next game: @ ARI (Apr. 19)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 45
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff position: W4
Games left: 11
Next game: vs. MIN (Apr. 19)
Playoff chances: 45.7%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 44
Regulation wins: 13
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Next game: vs. COL (Apr. 22)
Playoff chances: 33.3%
Tragic number: 25
Points: 40
Regulation wins: 12
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Next game: @ VGS (Apr. 19)
Playoff chances: 9.8%
Tragic number: 19
Points: 38
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 14
Next game: vs. ANA (Apr. 20)
Playoff chances: 11.1%
Tragic number: 21
Points: 35
Regulation wins: 9
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Next game: vs. VGS (Apr. 18)
Playoff chances: 0.2%
Tragic number: 12
Race for the No. 1 pick
The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order at the top of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. New for 2021, a team may 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.
Points: 29
Regulation wins: 8
Points: 34
Regulation wins: 11
Points: 34
Regulation wins: 11
Points: 35
Regulation wins: 9
Points: 35
Regulation wins: 11
Points: 38
Regulation wins: 14
Points: 38
Regulation wins: 14
Points: 39
Regulation wins: 11
Points: 40
Regulation wins: 12
Points: 41
Regulation wins: 16
Points: 44
Regulation wins: 13
Points: 46
Regulation wins: 13
Points: 46
Regulation wins: 15
Points: 47
Regulation wins: 14
Points: 50
Regulation wins: 19