NHL playoff standings: What's at stake on 10-game Tuesday?

The hockey world had a tremendous moment over the weekend when Alex Ovechkin broke Wayne Gretzky's goal-scoring record. And now, it's time to hone in on the remaining playoff races.

Ten games populate the NHL calendar on Tuesday, all of which will have some impact on either playoff positioning or the draft lottery standings.

The Hurricanes appear all but completely locked in as the No. 2 seed in the Metropolitan Division (and a first-round matchup against the Devils). Meanwhile, the Sabres' recent heater -- they've gone 7-3-0 in the past 10 -- has pushed them down to No. 9 in the draft lottery order, at the bottom end of a group of six teams in the 71- to 74-point range.

The Red Wings lost a few too many games in the month of March, and their playoff hopes are dim but flickering. A win here against the team they're chasing would go a long way. The Habs are six points ahead of Detroit, though the Wings have one game in hand.

Although these two teams were tight in the standings in recent weeks, a skid by the Panthers coupled by an 8-1-1 span by the Leafs have yielded the possibility that they could match up in the first round -- as division title winner vs. wild-card team. So this game could have meaning long beyond the final horn on Tuesday night, should they meet again in the postseason. As far as the standings, Toronto carries a four-point lead on Tampa Bay atop the Atlantic into this matchup, and they are six ahead of Florida. The Panthers have a two-point cushion on the current first wild-card team, the Senators.

The Bruins were mathematically eliminated from postseason contention in the last week and sit fifth in the draft lottery order, among the bunched group of six between 71 and 74 points. The Devils are likely to finish in the No. 3 spot in the Metro Division, and face the Hurricanes in Round 1 but could theoretically still pass them to earn the No. 2 seed (and home-ice advantage in the series).

Ottawa is one of the NHL's hottest teams, and it allowed zero goals in two victories over the weekend. The gap between the Senators and third-place Florida is down to two points, though they are two behind in the regulation wins column. As for the Blue Jackets, they begin this game eight points behind Montreal for the final wild-card position, and they will need this W along with a lot of help to surpass the Canadiens.

The Blackhawks are four points behind San Jose for the top spot in the draft lottery, and have five additional regulation wins if the two teams finish tied after 82 games. The Penguins -- mathematically eliminated from playoff contention over the weekend -- sit eighth in the draft order right now.

While Ovechkin scored historic goal No. 895 on Sunday, it was the Islanders who won the game, maintaining a shred of hope that they can rally into a playoff spot. They enter this game seven points behind the Canadiens. Nashville is headed for a top-3 spot in the draft lottery order, although likely no higher than No. 3 given the gap between them and the Blackhawks at No. 2.

The Canucks' playoff hopes have faded precipitously of late, and every game is essentially a must-win at this point -- they enter this game eight points back of the Minnesota Wild for the final spot, with five games remaining. Dallas has its sights set on the Winnipeg Jets for the No. 1 seed in the Central, as the team in that position earns a first-round matchup against the Wild (as opposed to the Avalanche).

The NHL's two youngest franchises square off in this one. Seattle enters the game in the No. 6 position in the draft lottery order, but that spot can fluctuate down the stretch as they are in the 71- to 74-point club with six other teams. The Hockey Club's playoff chances have taken a nosedive, and it officially needs to run the table (and have Minnesota lose the rest of its games) to qualify for the playoffs.

For those willing to stay up late on a school night, the NHL saved the best game for last on Tuesday's slate! The Golden Knights are well on their way to another Pacific Division title, and the Avalanche seem pretty well locked in as the Central's No. 3 seed. But, this is certainly a potential preview of the 2025 Western Conference finals, given the star power on both of these rosters -- and their recent postseason successes.

With the regular season ending April 17, we'll help you track it all with the NHL playoff watch. As we traverse the final stretch, we'll provide details on all the playoff races, along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2025 NHL draft lottery.

Note: Playoff chances are via Stathletes.

Current playoff matchups

Eastern Conference

Western Conference

Clinching scenarios

The New Jersey Devils will clinch a playoff spot if they win or lose in overtime/shootout to the Boston Bruins.

The Ottawa Senators will clinch a playoff berth if:

• They defeat the Columbus Blue Jackets in any fashion, OR


• They lose in OT/shootout to the Blue Jackets, AND there is any result in the Detroit Red Wings-Montreal Canadiens game other than a Red Wings win in regulation, OR


• The Red Wings lose to the Canadiens in any fashion

The Washington Capitals will clinch the Metropolitan Division title if the Carolina Hurricanes lose to the Buffalo Sabres in regulation.

The Toronto Maple Leafs will clinch home-ice advantage in the first round if they defeat the Florida Panthers in regulation.

The Carolina Hurricanes will clinch home-ice advantage in the first round if they defeat the Sabres in any fashion AND the Devils lose to the Bruins in any fashion. They will also clinch if they lose in OT/shootout to the Sabres and the Devils lose to the Bruins in regulation.

The Dallas Stars will clinch home-ice advantage in the first round if:

• They defeat the Vancouver Canucks in any fashion, OR


• They lose in OT/shootout to the Canucks and the Colorado Avalanche lose to the Vegas Golden Knights, OR


• The Avalanche lose to the Golden Knights in regulation

The Golden Knights will clinch home-ice advantage in the first round if they win in any fashion or lose in OT/shootout to the Avalanche.

Tuesday's games

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

Monday's scoreboard

Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

x - Toronto Maple Leafs

Points: 98