Robert Thomas nets OT winner for Blues (0:44)Robert Thomas scores in overtime to give the Blues the win against the Oilers. (0:44)
ESPN staffMar 14, 2026, 07:00 AM ETMultiple Authors
The 2025-26 NHL season is closing in on its final 30 days, and Saturday’s slate provides a number of high-intensity matchups.
With 14 games on the schedule — including five starting at 7 p.m. ET (!) — it’s another night where a multi-view option will be a necessity.
However, one of the most critical games to the playoff bubble takes place in the middle of the afternoon, as the Boston Bruins visit the Washington Capitals (3 p.m. ET, ABC and the ESPN App).
The Bruins enter the game as the second Eastern Conference wild card, having generated 78 standings points through 65 games. The Capitals are part of the logjam of teams trying to chase them down, with 73 points through 67 games.
Among the teams battling it out on the wild-card bubble, the Bruins have one of the more favorable remaining schedules — and they’ve beaten the Caps twice already this season, including 3-1 this past Saturday.
Whichever of these teams winds up earning the second wild card, a tough task awaits in the first round of the playoffs: a series against either the Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning or Buffalo Sabres. Coincidentally, those who want to efficiently scout the Canes and Lightning are in luck: Tampa Bay hosts Carolina at 7 p.m.
Every team has fewer than 20 games left before the regular season concludes April 16, and we’ll help you keep track of it all here on the NHL playoff watch every day. As we traverse the final stretch, we’ll provide details on all the playoff races — along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2026 NHL draft lottery.
Jump ahead: Current playoff matchups Today’s schedule Last night’s scores Expanded standings Race for No. 1 pick
Note: All times ET. All games not on TNT or NHL Network are available to stream on ESPN+ (local blackout restrictions apply).
Points: 86 Regulation wins: 34 Playoff position: A1 Games left: 16 Points pace: 106.9 Next game: vs. TOR (Saturday) Playoff chances: 99.4% Tragic number: N/A
Points: 84 Regulation wins: 31 Playoff position: A2 Games left: 18 Points pace: 107.6 Next game: vs. CAR (Saturday) Playoff chances: 99.9% Tragic number: N/A
Points: 82 Regulation wins: 25 Playoff position: A3 Games left: 18 Points pace: 105.1 Next game: vs. SJ (Saturday) Playoff chances: 94% Tragic number: N/A
Points: 79 Regulation wins: 25 Playoff position: WC1 Games left: 16 Points pace: 98.2 Next game: @ DAL (Saturday) Playoff chances: 33.4% Tragic number: N/A
Points: 78 Regulation wins: 27 Playoff position: WC2 Games left: 17 Points pace: 98.4 Next game: @ WSH (Saturday) Playoff chances: 70.3% Tragic number: N/A
Points: 73 Regulation wins: 26 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 18 Points pace: 93.5 Next game: vs. ANA (Saturday) Playoff chances: 58.7% Tragic number: 31
Points: 69 Regulation wins: 26 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 17 Points pace: 87.1 Next game: @ SEA (Sunday) Playoff chances: 1.9% Tragic number: 25
Points: 67 Regulation wins: 20 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 16 Points pace: 83.2 Next game: @ BUF (Saturday) Playoff chances: 0.1% Tragic number: 21
Points: 88 Regulation wins: 30 Playoff position: M1 Games left: 17 Points pace: 111.0 Next game: @ TB (Saturday) Playoff chances: 99.9% Tragic number: N/A
Points: 79 Regulation wins: 27 Playoff position: M2 Games left: 17 Points pace: 99.7 Next game: @ UTA (Saturday) Playoff chances: 60.2% Tragic number: N/A
Points: 79 Regulation wins: 23 Playoff position: M3 Games left: 16 Points pace: 98.2 Next game: vs. CGY (Saturday) Playoff chances: 75.5% Tragic number: N/A
Points: 77 Regulation wins: 23 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 17 Points pace: 97.1 Next game: @ PHI (Saturday) Playoff chances: 84.5% Tragic number: 33
Points: 73 Regulation wins: 20 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 17 Points pace: 92.1 Next game: vs. CBJ (Saturday) Playoff chances: 10.7% Tragic number: 29
Points: 73 Regulation wins: 28 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 15 Points pace: 89.3 Next game: vs. BOS (Saturday) Playoff chances: 10% Tragic number: 25
Points: 66 Regulation wins: 21 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 17 Points pace: 83.3 Next game: vs. LA (Saturday) Playoff chances: 1.5% Tragic number: 22
Points: 62 Regulation wins: 18 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 17 Points pace: 78.2 Next game: @ MIN (Saturday) Playoff chances: ~0% Tragic number: 18
Points: 97 Regulation wins: 39 Playoff position: C1 Games left: 18 Points pace: 124.3 Next game: @ WPG (Saturday) Playoff chances: 99.9% Tragic number: N/A
Points: 92 Regulation wins: 33 Playoff position: C2 Games left: 17 Points pace: 116.1 Next game: vs. DET (Saturday) Playoff chances: 99.9% Tragic number: N/A
Points: 88 Regulation wins: 25 Playoff position: C3 Games left: 16 Points pace: 109.3 Next game: vs. NYR (Saturday) Playoff chances: 99.9% Tragic number: N/A
Points: 74 Regulation wins: 26 Playoff position: WC1 Games left: 16 Points pace: 91.9 Next game: vs. PIT (Saturday) Playoff chances: 96.6% Tragic number: N/A
Points: 67 Regulation wins: 22 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 17 Points pace: 84.5 Next game: @ EDM (Sunday) Playoff chances: 7.6% Tragic number: 32
Points: 62 Regulation wins: 21 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 18 Points pace: 79.4 Next game: vs. COL (Saturday) Playoff chances: 2.7% Tragic number: 29
Points: 64 Regulation wins: 25 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 16 Points pace: 79.5 Next game: @ WPG (Sunday) Playoff chances: 1.8% Tragic number: 27
Points: 61 Regulation wins: 18 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 17 Points pace: 77.0 Next game: @ VGK (Saturday) Playoff chances: 0.3% Tragic number: 26
Points: 75 Regulation wins: 21 Playoff position: P1 Games left: 17 Points pace: 94.6 Next game: @ OTT (Saturday) Playoff chances: 98.3% Tragic number: N/A
Points: 74 Regulation wins: 22 Playoff position: P2 Games left: 16 Points pace: 91.9 Next game: vs. CHI (Saturday) Playoff chances: 98.8% Tragic number: N/A
Points: 73 Regulation wins: 24 Playoff position: P3 Games left: 15 Points pace: 89.3 Next game: vs. NSH (Sunday) Playoff chances: 89.6% Tragic number: N/A
Points: 69 Regulation wins: 17 Playoff position: WC2 Games left: 17 Points pace: 87.1 Next game: @ NJ (Saturday) Playoff chances: 18.9% Tragic number: N/A
Points: 68 Regulation wins: 19 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 19 Points pace: 88.5 Next game: @ MTL (Saturday) Playoff chances: 70.4% Tragic number: 37
Points: 67 Regulation wins: 23 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 18 Points pace: 85.8 Next game: @ VAN (Saturday) Playoff chances: 14.9% Tragic number: 34
Points: 59 Regulation wins: 22 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 17 Points pace: 74.4 Next game: @ NYI (Saturday) Playoff chances: 0.1% Tragic number: 24
Points: 48 Regulation wins: 13 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 17 Points pace: 60.6 Next game: vs. SEA (Saturday) Playoff chances: ~0% Tragic number: 13
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 can 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. Atop draft boards for this summer is Gavin McKenna, a forward for Penn State.
Anaheim Ducks at Ottawa Senators, 1 p.m. Boston Bruins at Washington Capitals, 3 p.m. (ABC) Colorado Avalanche at Winnipeg Jets, 4 p.m. New York Rangers at Minnesota Wild, 6 p.m. Toronto Maple Leafs at Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m. (NHL Network) San Jose Sharks at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m. Carolina Hurricanes at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7 p.m. Los Angeles Kings at New Jersey Devils, 7 p.m. Calgary Flames at New York Islanders, 7 p.m. Columbus Blue Jackets at Philadelphia Flyers, 7:30 p.m. Detroit Red Wings at Dallas Stars, 8 p.m. Pittsburgh Penguins at Utah Mammoth, 9 p.m. Seattle Kraken at Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m. Chicago Blackhawks at Vegas Golden Knights, 10 p.m.
Robert Thomas nets OT winner for Blues (0:44)Robert Thomas scores in overtime to give the Blues the win against the Oilers. (0:44)
A1 Buffalo Sabres vs. WC1 Detroit Red Wings A2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. A3 Montreal Canadiens
M1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. WC2 Boston Bruins M2 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. M3 New York Islanders
C1 Colorado Avalanche vs. WC2 Los Angeles Kings C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Minnesota Wild
P1 Anaheim Ducks vs. WC1 Utah Mammoth P2 Vegas Golden Knights vs. P3 Edmonton Oilers
Los Angeles Kings 3, New York Islanders 2 St. Louis Blues 3, Edmonton Oilers 2 (OT)
*Note: The Maple Leafs’ pick belongs to the Bruins, unless it lands in the top five.
Robert Thomas scores in overtime to give the Blues the win against the Oilers. (0:44)
ESPN staffMar 14, 2026, 07:00 AM ETMultiple Authors