NHL playoff standings: Key matchups on Super Saturday

ByESPN staff

Saturday, April 6, 2024

The homestretch of the 2023-24 NHL season is here. Eleven tickets to the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs dance have been printed, and five remain.

Much will be gained and lost by the end of the 11-game slate on Super Saturday. Here are the key matchups to watch:

Tampa Bay Lightning at Pittsburgh Penguins (1 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN+): The Lightning have used a springtime surge to pull within two points of the Toronto Maple Leafs for the Atlantic Division's No. 3 seed, and a win here obviously helps them in that quest. As for the Penguins, a 6-2-2 run in their past 10 games has them back in the mix for the second wild-card spot in the East -- and potentially even the No. 3 spot in the Metro Division.

Florida Panthers at Boston Bruins (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN+): No. 9 on Greg Wyshynski's ranking of current NHL rivalries, this matchup pits the top two teams in the Atlantic in a "four-point game" -- the Bruins can open up a six-point lead with a win in regulation; the Panthers pull within two with a regulation W for themselves.

Winnipeg Jets at Minnesota Wild (4 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+): While the Jets have clinched their playoff berth, the Wild remain mathematically alive heading into this game. That mathematical possibility would be razor-thin following a Wild loss here.

Philadelphia Flyers at Columbus Blue Jackets (7 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+): Regardless of the results of the final several games, the Flyers will finish ahead of where many predicted. But that won't ease the sting if they fall completely out of the playoffs. Getting the full two points against a basement-dwelling club like the Blue Jackets is vital.

Nashville Predators at New York Islanders (7:30 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+): Following an 18-game points streak, the Preds looked a bit wobbly in three straight losses before pulling off a 6-3 win over the St. Louis Blues on Thursday; did they peak too soon? Meanwhile, the Isles are making a strong final push to earn the Metro's No. 3 spot, or that second wild-card spot in the East (and a potential first-round matchup against the rival New York Rangers).

Edmonton Oilers at Calgary Flames (10 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+): WrestleMania is taking place Saturday and Sunday in Philadelphia, but there will be perhaps even more fisticuffs in this final Battle of Alberta showdown for 2023-24 -- especially since the Oilers are playoff-bound while the Flames have already been eliminated.

Vancouver Canucks at Los Angeles Kings (10 p.m., NHL Power Play on ESPN+): There will be some shuffling of the seeds among the Western playoff teams from here on out, but this is one possible first-round matchup combination. Despite the general placement of each team in the standings, Vancouver has had trouble with L.A. this season, with the latter club winning two of three games to this point.

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:br/>Current playoff matchupsbr/>Saturday's schedulebr/>Friday's scoresbr/>Expanded standingsbr/>Race for No. 1 pick

Current playoff matchups

Eastern Conference

Western Conference

Saturday's games

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