NHL playoff standings: Ranking top Stanley Cup contenders

After the 14 games of Showdown Saturday, a slightly smaller batch of teams is back at it Sunday.

One of those seven matchups features two recent Stanley Cup winners -- the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Vegas Golden Knights (8 p.m. ET, ESPN+) -- so what better time to stack up the top Cup contenders?

Per Stathletes, the Golden Knights lead Western Conference teams at 12.4%. Close behind are the Colorado Avalanche (12.3%), who next play Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings. The Winnipeg Jets (5.8%, hosting the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday) and Edmonton Oilers (5.4%, off until Wednesday) round out the top quartet.

Despite "winning" the trade deadline by acquiring Mikko Rantanen, the Stars are seventh among West teams at 3.1%, trailing the Los Angeles Kings (3.9%) and St. Louis Blues (3.5%).

The Lightning are second among Eastern teams (12.6%), behind the Carolina Hurricanes (15.3%), who continue their Western road trip against the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday (8 p.m. ET, ESPN+). Next up among Eastern contenders are the Washington Capitals (9.5%), who square off against the Jets on Tuesday. The Toronto Maple Leafs (5.5%, believe it or not), and the Florida Panthers (5.0%) round out the top five.

There is a lot of runway left until April 17, the final day of the regular season, and 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.

Jump ahead:br/>Current playoff matchupsbr/>Clinching scenariosbr/>Today's schedulebr/>Yesterday's scoresbr/>Expanded standingsbr/>Race for No. 1 pick

Current playoff matchups

Eastern Conference

Western Conference

Clinching scenarios

The Winnipeg Jets will clinch a playoff berth if:

• They win, or lose in overtime/shootout to the Buffalo Sabres (3 p.m. ET, ESPN+)


• Or if the St. Louis Blues lose to the Nashville Predators in any fashion (6 p.m. ET, ESPN+)

Sunday's games

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

Saturday's scoreboard

Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

Florida Panthers

Points: 87