NHL playoff standings: Stars, Avalanche face off in key clash - ESPN

After an 11-game Super Saturday, it's a somewhat milder nine-game NHL Sunday. But the playoff implications of the contests are no less grand.

Perhaps the most intriguing matchup is the late one, as the Dallas Stars visit the Colorado Avalanche (10 p.m. ET, ESPN).

The Stars are three points ahead of the Avs, but Colorado has a 40-37 edge in regulation wins (the first tiebreaker). At stake is the No. 1 seed in the Central Division, likely the Western Conference and possibly the entire league as the Stanley Cup playoffs approach on April 20. A regulation win here for Dallas would put it five points ahead with just four games remaining for each team.

Following Sunday's action, the Stars close out against the Buffalo Sabres, Winnipeg Jets, Seattle Kraken and St. Louis Blues. Colorado has upcoming games versus the Minnesota Wild, Jets, Vegas Golden Knights and Edmonton Oilers. The latter set of games would seem more challenging, but there have been some shocking results recently.

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:
Current playoff matchups
Clinching scenarios
Sunday's schedule
Saturday's scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick

Eastern Conference

A1 Boston Bruins vs. WC1 Tampa Bay Lightning
A2 Florida Panthers vs. A3 Toronto Maple Leafs
M1 New York Rangers vs. WC2 Pittsburgh Penguins
M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 New York Islanders

Western Conference

C1 Dallas Stars vs. WC2 Nashville Predators
C2 Colorado Avalanche vs. C3 Winnipeg Jets
P1 Vancouver Canucks vs. WC1 Vegas Golden Knights
P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings

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