Sunday Showdown: NHL Playoff Contenders and Key Matchups
As the NHL season barrels toward its thrilling conclusion, fans are treated to a weekend packed with action and intrigue. After a jam-packed Showdown Saturday featuring 14 games, Sunday offers a slightly smaller slate of seven matchups. But don’t let the quantity fool you; the quality is top-notch, with some of the league’s most exciting teams hitting the ice.
One of the standout games on Sunday features two recent Stanley Cup winners: the Tampa Bay Lightning taking on the Vegas Golden Knights at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN+. This matchup is a perfect opportunity to assess the top contenders for the coveted Stanley Cup.
According to Stathletes, the Golden Knights lead the Western Conference teams with a 12.4% chance of winning the Cup. Hot on their heels are the Colorado Avalanche at 12.3%, who are set to face the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday. The Winnipeg Jets (5.8%) and Edmonton Oilers (5.4%) round out the top four in the West.
Despite making a splash at the trade deadline by acquiring Mikko Rantanen, the Dallas Stars find themselves seventh among Western teams with a 3.1% chance, trailing the Los Angeles Kings (3.9%) and St. Louis Blues (3.5%).
In the Eastern Conference, the Carolina Hurricanes lead with a 15.3% chance of winning the Cup. They continue their Western road trip against the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN+. The Tampa Bay Lightning are second among Eastern teams with a 12.6% chance. The Washington Capitals (9.5%), Toronto Maple Leafs (5.5%), and Florida Panthers (5.0%) complete the top five in the East.
With the regular season wrapping up on April 17, there’s still plenty of hockey left to play. Fans can keep track of all the playoff races and the teams vying for position in the 2025 NHL draft lottery with the NHL playoff watch.
Current Playoff Matchups
Here’s a look at the current playoff matchups:
- Eastern Conference
- A1 Florida Panthers vs. WC1 Ottawa Senators
- A2 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. A3 Tampa Bay Lightning
- M1 Washington Capitals vs. WC2 Montreal Canadiens
- M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 New Jersey Devils
- Western Conference
- C1 Winnipeg Jets vs. WC2 St. Louis Blues
- C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche
- P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC1 Minnesota Wild
- P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings
Sunday’s Games
Here’s a look at Sunday’s games, all times ET:
- Philadelphia Flyers at Chicago Blackhawks, 3 p.m. (NHLN)
- Buffalo Sabres at Winnipeg Jets, 3 p.m.
- Pittsburgh Penguins at Florida Panthers, 6 p.m.
- Nashville Predators at St. Louis Blues, 6 p.m.
- Tampa Bay Lightning at Vegas Golden Knights, 8 p.m.
- Carolina Hurricanes at Anaheim Ducks, 8 p.m.
- Boston Bruins at Los Angeles Kings, 9 p.m.
As the season winds down, every game counts, and the stakes are higher than ever. Whether you’re rooting for a top contender or an underdog, the excitement of the NHL is undeniable. Stay tuned as we continue to track the playoff races and the battle for the No. 1 draft pick.
Originally Written by: ESPN staff
