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Rare is the night in the NHL when every team in action is in playoff position, or at least close to it. Monday is such a night — though it helps that there are only two games.
The early game pits the Pittsburgh Penguins (one point out of the second wild card) against the Toronto Maple Leafs (7 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+). For the Penguins, this is a chance to help crystallize their positioning in the chaotic race for the second wild card; for the Leafs, a win would bolster their grip on the Atlantic Division’s No. 3 slot.
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A more tantalizing matchup looms in the late game as the Vegas Golden Knights visit the Vancouver Canucks (10 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+). The hosts have surprisingly been at (or near) the top of the Pacific Division for much of the season, and that trend holds as of Monday. Based on the current standings, the Canucks will take on the West’s first wild-card team. As of Monday, that is the Nashville Predators, though the Knights are two points back with two games in hand.
This fourth matchup will provide another clue as to how a potential playoff series might play out. The Knights have won two of three against the Canucks, including a 6-3 Vegas victory last Tuesday.
So how likely is this matchup in Round 1? The Canucks have a 63.2% chance to win the Pacific, according to Stathletes. The Knights have a 22.9% chance of getting the West’s first wild card, a 28.9% chance at the second wild card, and a 47.1% chance of finishing third in the Pacific. The Los Angeles Kings are one point and three regulation wins ahead of Vegas in that position, though the Knights have a game in hand on them.
As we traverse 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 2024 NHL draft lottery.
Note: Playoff chances are via Stathletes.
Jump ahead:
Current playoff matchups
Monday’s schedule
Sunday’s scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick
Current…
Source link : https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/39893308/nhl-playoffs-bracket-standings-2024-golden-knights-canucks-preview
Author : ESPN staff
Publish date : 2024-04-08 11:52:04
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