The five NHL games of Tuesday night did not have the impact on the playoff races that Monday's massive slate did, but we do have a new leader in the East, with the Pittsburgh Penguins leapfrogging the Washington Capitals. And for those who like drama, Wednesday's nine-game calendar includes plenty:
Having reached 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.
Jump ahead:Current playoff matchupsRace for No. 1 pick
Points: 73Regulation wins: 27Playoff position: E1Games left: 2Next game: vs. BUF (May 6)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A
Points: 71Regulation wins: 27Playoff position: E2Games left: 4Next game: @ NYR (May 5)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A
Points: 69Regulation wins: 24Playoff position: E3Games left: 4Next game: vs. NYR (May 6)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A
Points: 68Regulation wins: 23Playoff position: E4Games left: 3Next game: vs. NJ (May 6)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A
Points: 58Regulation wins: 23Playoff position: N/AGames left: 3Next game: vs. WSH (May 5)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E
Points: 53Regulation wins: 15Playoff position: N/AGames left: 3Next game: @ WSH (May 7)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E
Points: 43Regulation wins: 14Playoff position: N/AGames left: 3Next game: @ NYI (May 6)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E
Points: 37Regulation wins: 11Playoff position: N/AGames left: 2Next game: @ PIT (May 6)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E
Points: 79Regulation wins: 27Playoff position: C1Games left: 3Next game: vs. CHI (May 6)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A
Points: 75Regulation wins: 24Playoff position: C2Games left: 2Next game: vs. TB (May 8)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A
Points: 73Regulation wins: 28Playoff position: C3Games left: 4Next game: vs. DAL (May 5)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A
Points: 60Regulation wins: 19Playoff position: C4Games left: 3Next game: @ CBJ (May 5)Playoff chances: 92.3%Tragic number: N/A
Points: 56Regulation wins: 16Playoff position: N/AGames left: 4Next game: @ TB (May 5)Playoff chances: 7.7%Tragic number: 4
Points: 50Regulation wins: 14Playoff position: N/AGames left: 3Next game: @ CAR (May 6)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E
Points: 45Regulation wins: 15Playoff position: N/AGames left: 2Next game: @ CBJ (May 7)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E
Points: 44Regulation wins: 11Playoff position: N/AGames left: 3Next game: vs. NSH (May 5)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E
Points: 72Regulation wins: 27Playoff position: N1Games left: 4Next game: vs. MTL (May 6)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A
Points: 66Regulation wins: 30Playoff position: N2Games left: 5Next game: vs. VAN (May 6)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A
Points: 57Regulation wins: 21Playoff position: N3Games left: 5Next game: @ CGY (May 5)Playoff chances: 99.2%Tragic number: N/A
Points: 57Regulation wins: 20Playoff position: N4Games left: 5Next game: @ OTT (May 5)Playoff chances: 98.7%Tragic number: N/A
Points: 47Regulation wins: 19Playoff position: N/AGames left: 6Next game: vs. WPG (May 5)Playoff chances: 2.2%Tragic number: 3
Points: 45Regulation wins: 16Playoff position: N/AGames left: 4Next game: vs. MTL (May 5)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E
Points: 41Regulation wins: 13Playoff position: N/AGames left: 9Next game: @ EDM (May 6)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: 3
Points: 74Regulation wins: 28Playoff position: W1Games left: 5Next game: @ MIN (May 5)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A
Points: 72Regulation wins: 30Playoff position: W2Games left: 6Next game: @ SJ (May 5)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A
Points: 70Regulation wins: 27Playoff position: W3Games left: 5Next game: vs. VGS (May 5)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A
Points: 55Regulation wins: 17Playoff position: W4Games left: 6Next game: vs. ANA (May 5)Playoff chances: 99.5%Tragic number: N/A
Points: 50Regulation wins: 18Playoff position: N/AGames left: 3Next game: vs. LA (May 5)Playoff chances: 0.3%Tragic number: 2
Points: 46Regulation wins: 18Playoff position: N/AGames left: 6Next game: @ ARI (May 5)Playoff chances: 0.2%Tragic number: 4
Points: 46Regulation wins: 14Playoff position: N/AGames left: 4Next game: vs. COL (May 5)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E
Points: 39Regulation wins: 11Playoff position: N/AGames left: 3Next game: @ STL (May 5)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E
No. 1 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. No. 4 New York IslandersNo. 2 Washington Capitals vs. No. 3 Boston Bruins
No. 1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. No. 4 Nashville PredatorsNo. 2 Florida Panthers vs. No. 3 Tampa Bay Lightning
No. 1 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. No. 4 Montreal CanadiensNo. 2 Edmonton Oilers vs. No. 3 Winnipeg Jets
No. 1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. No. 4 St. Louis BluesNo. 2 Colorado Avalanche vs. No. 3 Minnesota Wild
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: 37Regulation wins: 11
Points: 39Regulation wins: 11
Points: 41Regulation wins: 13
Points: 43Regulation wins: 14
Points: 44Regulation wins: 11
Points: 45Regulation wins: 15
Points: 45Regulation wins: 16
Points: 46Regulation wins: 14
Points: 46Regulation wins: 18
Points: 47Regulation wins: 19
Points: 50Regulation wins: 14
Points: 50Regulation wins: 18
Points: 53Regulation wins: 15
Points: 56Regulation wins: 16
Points: 58Regulation wins: 23
