NHL playoff watch: Devils-Sabres is Friday's key game to monitor

There have been fantastic nights on the NHL schedule recently, some might argue maybe even too much action for hockey fans to track in a given evening.

Friday is not one of those nights.

There is just one game on the schedule, as the New Jersey Devils visit the Buffalo Sabres (7 p.m. ET, NHL Network). This is a game that looked to have considerably more at stake when the schedule came out in the summer, but there are some notable implications for the outcome.

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The Devils are five points behind the Washington Capitals for the East's second wild-card spot, and six points behind the Philadelphia Flyers for the No. 3 seed in the Metro Division. Notably, New Jersey has more regulation wins than both clubs, so pulling even in the standings is all that's required to get into the playoffs.

Buffalo's playoff hopes rest on eclipsing a batch of teams and getting the wild card, as the No. 3-seeded Atlantic club, the Toronto Maple Leafs, are 18 points ahead.

Of course, this matchup also impacts the draft lottery standings, with the Sabres currently 10th and the Devils 12th in that register. The NHL's four worst teams don't appear to be in range for either club, but getting as high as the No. 5 position (currently held by the Arizona Coyotes) is in play mathematically.

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 matchupsFriday's scheduleThursday's scoresExpanded standingsRace for No. 1 pick

Current playoff matchups

Eastern Conference

A1 Boston Bruins vs. WC1 Tampa Bay LightningA2 Florida Panthers vs. A3 Toronto Maple LeafsM1 New York Rangers vs. WC2 Washington CapitalsM2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 Philadelphia Flyers

Western Conference

C1 Dallas Stars vs. WC2 Los Angeles KingsC2 Colorado Avalanche vs. C3 Winnipeg JetsP1 Vancouver Canucks vs. WC1 Nashville PredatorsP2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Vegas Golden Knights

Friday's game

Note: All times ET. All games not on TNT or NHL Network are available via NHL Power Play, which is included in an ESPN+ subscription (local blackout restrictions apply).

New Jersey Devils at Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m. (NHLN)

Thursday's scoreboard

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Toronto Maple Leafs 5, Washington Capitals 1Montreal Canadiens 4, Philadelphia Flyers 1Ottawa Senators 2, Chicago Blackhawks 0New York Islanders 3, Florida Panthers 2Pittsburgh Penguins 3, Columbus Blue Jackets 2Carolina Hurricanes 4, Detroit Red Wings 0St. Louis Blues 5, Calgary Flames 3Minnesota Wild 3, San Jose Sharks 1Vegas Golden Knights 4, Winnipeg Jets 1New York Rangers 3, Colorado Avalanche 2 (SO)Edmonton Oilers 4, Los Angeles Kings 1Dallas Stars 3, Vancouver Canucks 1Arizona Coyotes 8, Nashville Predators 4Seattle Kraken 4, Anaheim Ducks 2

Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

Points: 99Regulation wins: 33Playoff position: A1Games left: 8Points pace: 110Next game: @ WSH (Saturday)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 97Regulation wins: 38Playoff position: A2Games left: 9Points pace: 109Next game: vs. DET (Saturday)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 91Regulation wins: 29Playoff position: A3Games left: 10Points pace: 104Next game: @ BUF (Saturday)Playoff chances: 99.9%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 87Regulation wins: 32Playoff position: WC1Games left: 10Points pace: 99Next game: vs. NYI (Saturday)Playoff chances: 99.9%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 79Regulation wins: 25Playoff position: N/AGames left: 9Points pace: 89Next game: @ FLA (Saturday)Playoff chances: 20.6%Tragic number: 16

Points: 73Regulation wins: 28Playoff position: N/AGames left: 9Points pace: 82Next game: vs. NJ (Friday)Playoff chances: 0.3%Tragic number: 10

Points: 68Regulation wins: 23Playoff position: N/AGames left: 10Points pace: 77Next game: @ WPG (Saturday)Playoff chances: ~0%Tragic number: 7

Points: 68Regulation wins: 18Playoff position: N/AGames left: 10Points pace: 77Next game: vs. CAR (Saturday)Playoff chances: ~0%Tragic number: 7

Metropolitan Division

Points: 102Regulation wins: 38Playoff position: M1Games left: 9Points pace: 115Next game: @ ARI (Saturday)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 99Regulation wins: 38Playoff position: M2Games left: 8Points pace: 110Next game: @ MTL (Saturday)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 82Regulation wins: 28Playoff position: M3Games left: 8Points pace: 91Next game: vs. CHI (Saturday)Playoff chances: 78.2%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 81Regulation wins: 28Playoff position: WC2Games left: 10Points pace: 92Next game: vs. BOS (Saturday)Playoff chances: 57.0%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 77Regulation wins: 23Playoff position: N/AGames left: 10Points pace: 88Next game: @ TB (Saturday)Playoff chances: 24.5%Tragic number: 16

Points: 76Regulation wins: 31Playoff position: N/AGames left: 9Points pace: 85Next game: @ BUF (Friday)Playoff chances: 16.9%Tragic number: 13

Points: 74Regulation wins: 27Playoff position: N/AGames left: 10Points pace: 84Next game: @ CBJ (Saturday)Playoff chances: 2.5%Tragic number: 13

Points: 58Regulation wins: 18Playoff position: N/AGames left: 9Points pace: 65Next game: vs. PIT (Saturday)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E

Central Division

Points: 101Regulation wins: 35Playoff position: C1Games left: 8Points pace: 112Next game: @ SEA (Saturday)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 98Regulation wins: 38Playoff position: C2Games left: 9Points pace: 110Next game: vs. NSH (Saturday)Playoff chances: 99.9%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 94Regulation wins: 39Playoff position: C3Games left: 9Points pace: 106Next game: vs. OTT (Saturday)Playoff chances: 99.9%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 90Regulation wins: 35Playoff position: WC1Games left: 9Points pace: 101Next game: @ COL (Saturday)Playoff chances: 99.1%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 82Regulation wins: 29Playoff position: N/AGames left: 9Points pace: 92Next game: vs. SJ (Saturday)Playoff chances: 5.1%Tragic number: 14

Points: 79Regulation wins: 28Playoff position: N/AGames left: 10Points pace: 90Next game: vs. VGK (Saturday)Playoff chances: 2.0%Tragic number: 13

Points: 67Regulation wins: 25Playoff position: N/AGames left: 9Points pace: 75Next game: vs. NYR (Saturday)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E

Points: 47Regulation wins: 15Playoff position: N/AGames left: 9Points pace: 53Next game: @ PHI (Saturday)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E

Pacific Division

Points: 98Regulation wins: 39Playoff position: P1Games left: 9Points pace: 110Next game: vs. ANA (Sunday)Playoff chances: 99.9%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 92Regulation wins: 34Playoff position: P2Games left: 11Points pace: 106Next game: vs. ANA (Saturday)Playoff chances: 99.9%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 88Regulation wins: 31Playoff position: P3Games left: 9Points pace: 99Next game: @ MIN (Saturday)Playoff chances: 95.8%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 87Regulation wins: 32Playoff position: WC2Games left: 10Points pace: 99Next game: @ CGY (Saturday)Playoff chances: 98.0%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 73Regulation wins: 24Playoff position: N/AGames left: 10Points pace: 83Next game: vs. DAL (Saturday)Playoff chances: ~0%Tragic number: 7

Points: 71Regulation wins: 28Playoff position: N/AGames left: 10Points pace: 81Next game: vs. LA (Saturday)Playoff chances: ~0%Tragic number: 7

Points: 52Regulation wins: 18Playoff position: N/AGames left: 9Points pace: 58Next game: @ EDM (Saturday)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E

Points: 40Regulation wins: 12Playoff position: N/AGames left: 10Points pace: 46Next game: @ STL (Saturday)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E

p -- clinched Presidents' Trophyy -- clinched divisionx -- clinched playoff berthe -- eliminated from playoff contention

Race for the No. 1 pick

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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. Sitting No. 1 on the draft board for this summer is Macklin Celebrini, a freshman at Boston University.

Points: 40Regulation wins: 12

Points: 47Regulation wins: 15

Points: 52Regulation wins: 18

Points: 58Regulation wins: 18

Points: 67Regulation wins: 25

Points: 68Regulation wins: 18

Points: 68Regulation wins: 23

Points: 71Regulation wins: 28

Points: 73Regulation wins: 24

Points: 73Regulation wins: 28

Points: 74Regulation wins: 27

Points: 76Regulation wins: 31

Points: 77Regulation wins: 23

Points: 79Regulation wins: 25

Points: 79Regulation wins: 28

Points: 82Regulation wins: 29

* The Penguins' first-round pick was traded to the Sharks as part of the Erik Karlsson trade. However, it is top-10 protected.