Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

NHL playoff watch: Where will the Islanders finish?

Written by 
Published in Hockey
Tuesday, 21 March 2023 05:18

When it comes to the Stanley Cup playoffs, the old adage is that a hot goalie can steal a series. So it should terrify the various Eastern Conference powerhouses that the New York Islanders are hanging around in a wild-card position with a dozen games to play.

Though he doesn't have the win total of other top netminders, Ilya Sorokin is having a monster season. His save percentage of .925 is third in the league, and he's earning plenty of attention in the Vezina Trophy conversation.

The Isles are currently in the first wild-card spot, with 80 points and 31 regulation wins in 71 games played, ahead of the suddenly hot Florida Panthers (79 and 31 in 70) and the Pittsburgh Penguins (78 and 25 in 70). So will New York still be in a wild-card position when the final games of the 2022-23 regular season are complete on April 14?

Tonight's matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs -- one of those aforementioned powerhouses -- is the next step on the Islanders' journey (7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+ and Hulu). They bested the Leafs 3-2 in OT back on Nov. 21, then lost 5-2 on Jan. 23. Thanks to a furious trade season, both of these rosters look quite a bit different these days (including former Leaf Pierre Engvall now skating for the Isles).

The next matchups should be easier; the Isles will visit the basement-dwelling Columbus Blue Jackets and the lottery-bound Buffalo Sabres. The ensuing five games will be quite the crucible: home against the New Jersey Devils; at the Washington Capitals, Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes; then back home for another game against the Lightning. They'll then close out against the Philadelphia Flyers, Capitals and Montreal Canadiens.

As of today, FiveThirtyEight gives the Isles a 69% chance of making the playoffs, with the Panthers at 77% and the Penguins at 44%.

As we enter the final stretch of the regular season, it's time to check all the playoff races -- along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2023 NHL draft lottery.

Note: Playoff chances are via FiveThirtyEight.

Jump ahead:
Current playoff matchups
Today's games
Last night's scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick

Current playoff matchups

Eastern Conference

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

Western Conference

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


Tuesday's games

Note: All times Eastern. All games not on ESPN, TNT or NHL Network are available via NHL Power Play, which is included in an ESPN+ subscription (local blackout restrictions apply).

Ottawa Senators at Boston Bruins, 7 p.m.
Nashville Predators at Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m.
Carolina Hurricanes at New York Rangers, 7 p.m.
Minnesota Wild at New Jersey Devils, 7 p.m.
Florida Panthers at Philadelphia Flyers, 7 p.m.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Washington Capitals, 7 p.m.
Toronto Maple Leafs at New York Islanders, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN+/Hulu)
Detroit Red Wings at St. Louis Blues, 8 p.m.
Arizona Coyotes at Winnipeg Jets, 8 p.m.
Seattle Kraken at Dallas Stars, 8:30 p.m.
Calgary Flames at Anaheim Ducks, 10 p.m.
Vegas Golden Knights at Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m.


Monday's scoreboard

Watch "In the Crease" on ESPN+ for highlights from every game.

Florida Panthers 5, Detroit Red Wings 2
Ottawa Senators 2, Pittsburgh Penguins 1
Colorado Avalanche 5, Chicago Blackhawks 0
Edmonton Oilers 5, San Jose Sharks 4 (OT)
Los Angeles Kings 8, Calgary Flames 2


Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

x - Boston Bruins

Points: 111
Regulation wins: 46
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 13
Points pace: 132
Next game: vs. OTT (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Toronto Maple Leafs

Points: 93
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 13
Points pace: 111
Next game: @ NYI (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: >99%
Tragic number: N/A

Tampa Bay Lightning

Points: 90
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 11
Points pace: 104
Next game: @ MTL (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: >99%
Tragic number: N/A

Florida Panthers

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 12
Points pace: 93
Next game: @ PHI (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 77%
Tragic number: N/A

Ottawa Senators

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 86
Next game: @ BOS (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 2%
Tragic number: 18

Buffalo Sabres

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 86
Next game: vs. NSH (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 4%
Tragic number: 19

Detroit Red Wings

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 82
Next game: @ STL (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 1%
Tragic number: 16

Montreal Canadiens

Points: 60
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 70
Next game: vs. TB (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 1%
Tragic number: 5


Metropolitan Division

Carolina Hurricanes

Points: 98
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 14
Points pace: 118
Next game: @ NYR (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: >99%
Tragic number: N/A

New Jersey Devils

Points: 97
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 12
Points pace: 114
Next game: vs. MIN (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: >99%
Tragic number: N/A

New York Rangers

Points: 92
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 12
Points pace: 108
Next game: vs. CAR (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: >99%
Tragic number: N/A

New York Islanders

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 11
Points pace: 92
Next game: vs. TOR (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 69%
Tragic number: N/A

Pittsburgh Penguins

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 91
Next game: @ COL (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 44%
Tragic number: 23

Washington Capitals

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 84
Next game: vs. CBJ (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 3%
Tragic number: 16

Philadelphia Flyers

Points: 62
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 74
Next game: vs. FLA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 1%
Tragic number: 9

e - Columbus Blue Jackets

Points: 49
Regulation wins: 15
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 58
Next game: @ WSH (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E


Central Division

Dallas Stars

Points: 89
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 12
Points pace: 104
Next game: vs. SEA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: >99%
Tragic number: N/A

Colorado Avalanche

Points: 88
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 13
Points pace: 105
Next game: vs. PIT (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: >99%
Tragic number: N/A

Minnesota Wild

Points: 88
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 12
Points pace: 103
Next game: @ NJ (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: >99%
Tragic number: N/A

Winnipeg Jets

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 11
Points pace: 94
Next game: vs. ARI (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 70%
Tragic number: N/A

Nashville Predators

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 14
Points pace: 92
Next game: @ BUF (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 20%
Tragic number: 23

St. Louis Blues

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 80
Next game: vs. DET (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 1%
Tragic number: 12

Arizona Coyotes

Points: 65
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 76
Next game: @ WPG (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 1%
Tragic number: 8

e - Chicago Blackhawks

Points: 54
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 63
Next game: @ WSH (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E


Pacific Division

Vegas Golden Knights

Points: 92
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 12
Points pace: 108
Next game: @ VAN (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: >99%
Tragic number: N/A

Los Angeles Kings

Points: 92
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 11
Points pace: 106
Next game: vs. WPG (Saturday)
Playoff chances: >99%
Tragic number: N/A

Edmonton Oilers

Points: 88
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 11
Points pace: 102
Next game: vs. ARI (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: >99%
Tragic number: N/A

Seattle Kraken

Points: 83
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 13
Points pace: 99
Next game: @ DAL (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 93%
Tragic number: N/A

Calgary Flames

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 89
Next game: @ ANA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 19%
Tragic number: 18

Vancouver Canucks

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 80
Next game: vs. VGK (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 1%
Tragic number: 12

e - Anaheim Ducks

Points: 56
Regulation wins: 13
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 66
Next game: vs. CGY (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e - San Jose Sharks

Points: 53
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 61
Next game: @ VAN (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

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 might 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 Connor Bedard, who has been lauded as a generational talent.

1. Columbus Blue Jackets

Points: 49
Regulation wins: 15

2. San Jose Sharks

Points: 53
Regulation wins: 14

3. Chicago Blackhawks

Points: 54
Regulation wins: 16

4. Anaheim Ducks

Points: 56
Regulation wins: 13

5. Montreal Canadiens

Points: 60
Regulation wins: 18

6. Philadelphia Flyers

Points: 62
Regulation wins: 23

7. Arizona Coyotes

Points: 65
Regulation wins: 20

8. Vancouver Canucks

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 19

9. St. Louis Blues

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 23

10. Detroit Red Wings

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 24

11. Buffalo Sabres

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 25

12. Washington Capitals

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 25

13. Ottawa Senators

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 27

14. Nashville Predators

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 25

15. Calgary Flames

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 25

16. Pittsburgh Penguins

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 25

Read 138 times

Soccer

Atléti mark Simeone's 700th game with late win

Atléti mark Simeone's 700th game with late win

Diego Simeone's 700th game in charge of Atlético Madrid ended in a late 2-1 win over Deportivo Alave...

Sources: Olof Mellberg to become St.Louis boss

Sources: Olof Mellberg to become St.Louis boss

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFormer Aston Villa and Sweden defender Olof Mellberg has signed a m...

Arteta backs Saka amid Kane drop-outs comment

Arteta backs Saka amid Kane drop-outs comment

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMikel Arteta has hit back at anyone questioning Bukayo Saka's commi...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

NBA follows NFL in warning players on burglaries

NBA follows NFL in warning players on burglaries

EmailPrintThe NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes followi...

Sources: Zion (hamstring) not close to returning

Sources: Zion (hamstring) not close to returning

EmailPrintNew Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has undergone multiple treatments on his left ha...

Baseball

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Outfielder Austin Hays and right-hander Kyle Finnegan -...

Judge giving Soto space amid free agency frenzy

Judge giving Soto space amid free agency frenzy

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Aaron Judge is one of the few people on Earth who can r...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated