NHL playoff standings: What to watch in Monday's six games

For those who want to know the identities of the 16 Stanley Cup playoff teams, this was quite a productive weekend. As the games begin Monday, 14 of 16 clubs have punched their tickets, though a variety of seeds remain in contention.

With the end of the regular season approaching on Thursday, here’s what’s at stake in the six games taking place Monday:

Editor’s Picks

2 Related

Chicago Blackhawks at Montreal Canadiens7 p.m. (ESPN+)

The Columbus Blue Jackets’ win on Sunday kept them in the playoff race for at least one more day; a win by the Canadiens in this one will clinch a berth (and eliminate the Blue Jackets). On the other side, the Blackhawks are locked in to the No. 2 spot in the draft lottery order.

Dallas Stars at Detroit Red Wings7 p.m. (NHL Network)

The Stars can no longer catch the Jets or be caught by the Avalanche, so they will begin their first-round playoff series against the Avs at home. The Red Wings enter the evening 11th in the draft lottery order, tied in points with the Rangers, three points behind the Ducks (and the Penguins, but they have only one game left) and one point ahead of the Islanders.

New York Rangers at Florida Panthers7 p.m. (ESPN+)

As noted above, the Rangers are right in the mix for a top-10 draft pick, but they could finish as low in the order as 13th if they win out. On the other side, the Panthers cannot catch the Maple Leafs for first in the Atlantic Division, but they can potentially move ahead of the Lightning into second in the final week. They are four points ahead of the Senators, but hold a three-regulation win advantage with just two games left for both clubs, so Ottawa cannot catch them.

Utah Hockey Club at Nashville Predators8 p.m. (ESPN+)

These two teams enter the evening 14th and 3rd, respectively, in the draft lottery order. Nashville is locked in at No. 3, but the Hockey Club (with 87 points) can potentially move up a spot to No. 13 (currently the Blue Jackets, 85 points), or down to No. 15 (currently the Canucks, 88 points).

Los Angeles Kings at Edmonton Oilers10 p.m. (ESPN+, NHL Network)

Here’s your No. 2 vs. No. 3 series in the Pacific Division, but it remains to be seen which team gets home-ice advantage. The Kings enter the evening in the second spot, with 101 points and 41 regulation wins (and a game in hand). The Oilers have 99 points and 35 RW, so this is essentially a must-win for them (and in regulation, too).

San Jose Sharks at Vancouver Canucks10 p.m. (ESPN+)

In the nightcap, it’s two lottery-bound teams, though at the two ends of the table. The Sharks have clinched the No. 1 spot in the lottery, while the Canucks are 15th heading into this matchup. The Canucks can potentially switch spots with the Hockey Club at No. 14, and could also flip with the Calgary Flames at No. 16.

Note: Playoff chances are via Stathletes.

Jump ahead:Current playoff matchupsToday’s scheduleYesterday’s scoresExpanded standingsRace for No. 1 pick

Current playoff matchups

Eastern Conference

A1 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. WC1 Ottawa SenatorsA2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. A3 Florida PanthersM1 Washington Capitals vs. WC2 Montreal CanadiensM2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 New Jersey Devils

Western Conference

C1 Winnipeg Jets vs. WC2 St. Louis BluesC2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Colorado AvalancheP1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC1 Minnesota WildP2 Los Angeles Kings vs. P3 Edmonton Oilers

Monday’s games

Note: All times ET. All games not on TNT or NHL Network are available to stream on ESPN+ (local blackout restrictions apply).

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Chicago Blackhawks at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m.Dallas Stars at Detroit Red Wings, 7 p.m. (NHL Network)New York Rangers at Florida Panthers, 7 p.m.Utah Hockey Club at Nashville Predators, 8 p.m.Los Angeles Kings at Edmonton Oilers, 10 p.m.San Jose Sharks at Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m.

Sunday’s scoreboard

Ottawa Senators 4, Philadelphia Flyers 3 (OT)New York Islanders 1, New Jersey Devils 0Boston Bruins 4, Pittsburgh Penguins 1Toronto Maple Leafs 4, Carolina Hurricanes 1Tampa Bay Lightning 7, Buffalo Sabres 4Columbus Blue Jackets 4, Washington Capitals 1Edmonton Oilers 4, Winnipeg Jets 1Calgary Flames 5, San Jose Sharks 2Colorado Avalanche 4, Anaheim Ducks 2

Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

Metro Division

Points: 109Regulation wins: 42Playoff position: M1Games left: 2Points pace: 111.7Next game: @ NYI (Tuesday)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 99Regulation wins: 42Playoff position: M2Games left: 2Points pace: 101.5Next game: @ MTL (Wednesday)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 89Regulation wins: 36Playoff position: M3Games left: 2Points pace: 91.2Next game: @ BOS (Tuesday)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 85Regulation wins: 28Playoff position: N/AGames left: 2Points pace: 87.1Next game: @ PHI (Tuesday)Playoff chances: 5.6%Tragic number: 2

Points: 82Regulation wins: 28Playoff position: N/AGames left: 2Points pace: 84.1Next game: vs. WSH (Tuesday)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E

Points: 81Regulation wins: 33Playoff position: N/AGames left: 2Points pace: 83.0Next game: @ FLA (Monday)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E

Points: 78Regulation wins: 23Playoff position: N/AGames left: 1Points pace: 79.0Next game: vs. WSH (Thursday)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E

Points: 76Regulation wins: 21Playoff position: N/AGames left: 2Points pace: 77.9Next game: vs. CBJ (Tuesday)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E

Central Division

Points: 114Regulation wins: 43Playoff position: C1Games left: 1Points pace: 115.4Next game: vs. ANA (Wednesday)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 106Regulation wins: 41Playoff position: C2Games left: 2Points pace: 108.7Next game: @ DET (Monday)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 102Regulation wins: 40Playoff position: C3Games left: 0Points pace: 102Next game: N/APlayoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 95Regulation wins: 33Playoff position: WC1Games left: 1Points pace: 96.2Next game: vs. ANA (Tuesday)Playoff chances: 98.3%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 94Regulation wins: 31Playoff position: WC2Games left: 1Points pace: 95.2Next game: vs. UTA (Tuesday)Playoff chances: 90.6%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 87Regulation wins: 29Playoff position: N/AGames left: 2Points pace: 89.2Next game: @ NSH (Monday)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E

Points: 66Regulation wins: 23Playoff position: N/AGames left: 2Points pace: 67.7Next game: vs. UTA (Monday)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E

Points: 57Regulation wins: 20Playoff position: N/AGames left: 2Points pace: 58.4Next game: @ MTL (Monday)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E

Pacific Division

Points: 107Regulation wins: 45Playoff position: P1Games left: 2Points pace: 109.7Next game: @ CGY (Tuesday)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 101Regulation wins: 41Playoff position: P3Games left: 3Points pace: 104.8Next game: @ EDM (Monday)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 99Regulation wins: 35Playoff position: P2Games left: 2Points pace: 101.5Next game: vs. LA (Monday)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 92Regulation wins: 30Playoff position: N/AGames left: 2Points pace: 94.3Next game: s. VGK (Tuesday)Playoff chances: 11.1%Tragic number: 3

Points: 88Regulation wins: 28Playoff position: N/AGames left: 2Points pace: 90.2Next game: vs. SJ (Monday)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E

Points: 78Regulation wins: 24Playoff position: N/AGames left: 2Points pace: 80.0Next game: @ MIN (Tuesday)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E

Points: 76Regulation wins: 28Playoff position: N/AGames left: 1Points pace: 76.9Next game: vs. LA (Tuesday)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E

Points: 51Regulation wins: 14Playoff position: N/AGames left: 2Points pace: 52.3Next game: @ VAN (Monday)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E

Note: A “p” means that the team has clinched the Presidents’ Trophy as the top team in the regular season. A “z” means that the team has clinched the top record in the conference. A “y” means that the team has clinched the division title. 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 pick

Playoff Hockey Challenge

Pick the winners and crown your Stanley Cup champion! Create A Bracket

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 No. 1 pick. More details on the process are here. Matthew Schaefer, a defenseman for the OHL’s Erie Otters, is No. 1 on the draft board.

Points: 51Regulation wins: 14

Points: 57Regulation wins: 20

Points: 66Regulation wins: 23

Points: 75Regulation wins: 26

Points: 76Regulation wins: 28

Points: 76Regulation wins: 21

Points: 77Regulation wins: 28

Points: 78Regulation wins: 23

Points: 78Regulation wins: 24

Points: 81Regulation wins: 33

Points: 81Regulation wins: 29

Points: 82Regulation wins: 28