EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsAfter nine games on the schedule Sunday, and before the 15 on Tuesday, the NHL calendar is a little slim Monday.The Ottawa Senators head to Manhattan to take on the New York Rangers (7:30 p.m. ET, NHL Network). Though mathematically still a possibility, the Rangers' legitimate chances at a playoff spot left town weeks ago. Can the Senators still earn a ticket to the postseason?Ahead of Monday's faceoff, the Sens are four points back of the New York Islanders for the second Eastern Conference wild-card spot, five back of the Boston Bruins for the first wild card, and also five back of the Montreal Canadiens for the No. 3 seed in the Atlantic.Beyond their game against the Rangers, the Sens have 12 games left, including seven against current playoff teams; their only matchup against the Isles, Bruins or Canadiens is April 11 on Long Island. How does that schedule compare to the teams they are chasing?Montreal has 13 games left, including eight vs. current playoff teams.Boston has 12 games left, with eight against clubs in a current playoff position.New York has 11 games left, and six are against teams in playoff position.Out of these four teams, Stathletes projects the Canadiens to finish with the most points (101.0), earning the No. 3 spot in the Atlantic, with the Bruins (98.4) and Senators (98.0) earning the wild cards over the Islanders (96.0).If Ottawa does make it as a wild card, should the teams battling for the Eastern division leads be concerned? Here's how the Sens have done against them this season:The Sens have lost both games to the Buffalo Sabres this season, with one game remaining (April 2).Ottawa won its only game against the Tampa Bay Lightning (on Oct. 9), but the clubs meet twice down the stretch.Similar to the Buffalo situation, the Carolina Hurricanes have won both games against Ottawa so far, with one game remaining (April 5).Every team has 15 or fewer games left before the regular season concludes April 16, and we'll help you keep track of it all here every day on 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 2026 NHL draft lottery.Note: Playoff chances are via Stathletes.Jump ahead:Current playoff matchupsToday's scheduleLast night's scoresExpanded standingsRace for No. 1 pickCurrent playoff matchupsEastern ConferenceA1 Buffalo Sabres vs. WC1 Boston BruinsA2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. A3 Montreal CanadiensM1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. WC2 New York IslandersM2 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. M3 Columbus Blue JacketsWestern ConferenceC1 Colorado Avalanche vs. WC2 Nashville PredatorsC2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Minnesota WildP1 Anaheim Ducks vs. WC1 Utah MammothP2 Vegas Golden Knights vs. P3 Edmonton OilersToday's gameNote: All times ET. All games not on TNT or NHL Network are available to stream on ESPN+ (local blackout restrictions apply).Ottawa Senators at New York Rangers, 7:30 p.m. (NHLN)Last night's scoreboardWinnipeg Jets 3, New York Rangers 2 (SO)Colorado Avalanche 3, Washington Capitals 2 (SO)Carolina Hurricanes 5, Pittsburgh Penguins 1Nashville Predators 3, Chicago Blackhawks 2 (OT)New York Islanders 1, Columbus Blue Jackets 0Vegas Golden Knights 3, Dallas Stars 2Calgary Flames 4, Tampa Bay Lightning 3 (OT)Anaheim Ducks 6, Buffalo Sabres 5 (OT)Utah Mammoth 4, Los Angeles Kings 3 (OT)Expanded standingsAtlantic DivisionBuffalo SabresPoints: 95Regulation wins: 37Playoff position: A1Games left: 11Points pace: 109.7Next game: vs. BOS (Wednesday)Playoff chances: 99.9%Tragic number: N/ATampa Bay LightningPoints: 91Regulation wins: 34Playoff position: A2Games left: 13Points pace: 108.2Next game: vs. MIN (Tuesday)Playoff chances: 99.9%Tragic number: N/AMontreal CanadiensPoints: 86Regulation wins: 26Playoff position: A3Games left: 13Points pace: 102.2Next game: vs. CAR (Tuesday)Playoff chances: 87.5%Tragic number: N/ABoston BruinsPoints: 86Regulation wins: 29Playoff position: WC1Games left: 12Points pace: 100.7Next game: vs. TOR (Tuesday)Playoff chances: 69.5%Tragic number: N/ADetroit Red WingsPoints: 84Regulation wins: 27Playoff position: N/AGames left: 12Points pace: 98.4Next game: vs. OTT (Tuesday)Playoff chances: 39%Tragic number: 23Ottawa SenatorsPoints: 81Regulation wins: 30Playoff position: N/AGames left: 13Points pace: 96.3Next game: @ NYR (Monday)Playoff chances: 68%Tragic number: 22Florida PanthersPoints: 71Regulation wins: 27Playoff position: N/AGames left: 13Points pace: 84.4Next game: vs. SEA (Tuesday)Playoff chances: 0.1%Tragic number: 12Toronto Maple LeafsPoints: 71Regulation wins: 21Playoff position: N/AGames left: 11Points pace: 82.0Next game: @ BOS (Tuesday)Playoff chances: ~0%Tragic number: 8Metro DivisionCarolina HurricanesPoints: 96Regulation wins: 32Playoff position: M1Games left: 12Points pace: 112.5Next game: @ MTL (Tuesday)Playoff chances: 99.9%Tragic number: N/APittsburgh PenguinsPoints: 86Regulation wins: 29Playoff position: M2Games left: 12Points pace: 100.7Next game: vs. COL (Tuesday)Playoff chances: 87.3%Tragic number: N/AColumbus Blue JacketsPoints: 85Regulation wins: 26Playoff position: M3Games left: 12Points pace: 99.6Next game: @ PHI (Tuesday)Playoff chances: 92.7%Tragic number: N/ANew York IslandersPoints: 85Regulation wins: 26Playoff position: WC2Games left: 11Points pace: 98.2Next game: vs. CHI (Tuesday)Playoff chances: 37.8%Tragic number: N/APhiladelphia FlyersPoints: 80Regulation wins: 21Playoff position: N/AGames left: 13Points pace: 95.1Next game: vs. CBJ (Tuesday)Playoff chances: 10.3%Tragic number: 21Washington CapitalsPoints: 79Regulation wins: 30Playoff position: N/AGames left: 11Points pace: 91.2Next game: @ STL (Tuesday)Playoff chances: 7.8%Tragic number: 16New Jersey DevilsPoints: 72Regulation wins: 23Playoff position: N/AGames left: 13Points pace: 85.6Next game: @ DAL (Tuesday)Playoff chances: 0.1%Tragic number: 13New York RangersPoints: 65Regulation wins: 19Playoff position: N/AGames left: 12Points pace: 76.1Next game: vs. OTT (Monday)Playoff chances: ~0%Tragic number: 4Central Divisionx - Colorado AvalanchePoints: 102Regulation wins: 40Playoff position: C1Games left: 13Points pace: 121.2Next game: @ PIT (Tuesday)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/Ax - Dallas StarsPoints: 97Regulation wins: 33Playoff position: C2Games left: 12Points pace: 113.6Next game: vs. NJ (Tuesday)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/AMinnesota WildPoints: 92Regulation wins: 25Playoff position: C3Games left: 11Points pace: 106.3Next game: @ TB (Tuesday)Playoff chances: 99.9%Tragic number: N/AUtah MammothPoints: 80Regulation wins: 28Playoff position: WC1Games left: 11Points pace: 92.4Next game: vs. EDM (Tuesday)Playoff chances: 99.2%Tragic number: N/ANashville PredatorsPoints: 75Regulation wins: 24Playoff position: WC2Games left: 12Points pace: 87.9Next game: vs. SJ (Tuesday)Playoff chances: 28.2%Tragic number: N/AWinnipeg JetsPoints: 70Regulation wins: 23Playoff position: N/AGames left: 12Points pace: 82.0Next game: vs. VGK (Tuesday)Playoff chances: 2.2%Tragic number: 19St. Louis BluesPoints: 67Regulation wins: 25Playoff position: N/AGames left: 13Points pace: 79.6Next game: vs. WSH (Tuesday)Playoff chances: 6.6%Tragic number: 18Chicago BlackhawksPoints: 65Regulation wins: 19Playoff position: N/AGames left: 12Points pace: 76.1Next game: @ NYI (Tuesday)Playoff chances: 0.4%Tragic number: 14Pacific DivisionAnaheim DucksPoints: 82Regulation wins: 23Playoff position: P1Games left: 12Points pace: 96.1Next game: @ VAN (Tuesday)Playoff chances: 99.9%Tragic number: N/AVegas Golden KnightsPoints: 78Regulation wins: 24Playoff position: P2Games left: 11Points pace: 90.1Next game: @ WPG (Tuesday)Playoff chances: 98.1%Tragic number: N/AEdmonton OilersPoints: 77Regulation wins: 26Playoff position: P3Games left: 11Points pace: 88.9Next game: @ UTA (Tuesday)Playoff chances: 83.3%Tragic number: N/ALos Angeles KingsPoints: 73Regulation wins: 18Playoff position: N/AGames left: 12Points pace: 85.5Next game: @ CGY (Tuesday)Playoff chances: 44.9%Tragic number: 22Seattle KrakenPoints: 71Regulation wins: 25Playoff position: N/AGames left: 13Points pace: 84.4Next game: @ FLA (Tuesday)Playoff chances: 4.9%Tragic number: 22San Jose SharksPoints: 70Regulation wins: 20Playoff position: N/AGames left: 14Points pace: 84.4Next game: @ NSH (Tuesday)Playoff chances: 32.1%Tragic number: 23Calgary FlamesPoints: 65Regulation wins: 23Playoff position: N/AGames left: 12Points pace: 76.1Next game: vs. LA (Tuesday)Playoff chances: 0.1%Tragic number: 14Vancouver CanucksPoints: 50Regulation wins: 14Playoff position: N/AGames left: 13Points pace: 59.4Next game: vs. ANA (Tuesday)Playoff chances: ~0%Tragic number: 1Note: An "x" with a team's name means the club has clinched a playoff spot.Race for the No. 1 pickThe 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.1. Vancouver CanucksPoints: 50Regulation wins: 142. New York RangersPoints: 65Regulation wins: 193. Chicago BlackhawksPoints: 65Regulation wins: 194. Calgary FlamesPoints: 65Regulation wins: 235. St. Louis BluesPoints: 67Regulation wins: 256. Winnipeg JetsPoints: 70Regulation wins: 237. San Jose SharksPoints: 70Regulation wins: 208. Toronto Maple Leafs*Points: 71Regulation wins: 219. Seattle KrakenPoints: 71Regulation wins: 2510. Florida PanthersPoints: 71Regulation wins: 2711. New Jersey DevilsPoints: 72Regulation wins: 2312. Los Angeles KingsPoints: 73Regulation wins: 1813. Washington CapitalsPoints: 79Regulation wins: 3014. Philadelphia FlyersPoints: 80Regulation wins: 2115. Ottawa SenatorsPoints: 81Regulation wins: 3016. Detroit Red WingsPoints: 84Regulation wins: 27*Note: The Maple Leafs' pick belongs to the Bruins, unless it lands in the top five.
