NHL Showdown Saturday: What’s at Stake in Every Game

With less than a week left in the regular season and the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs just one week away, NHL fans are being treated to a pivotal "Showdown Saturday" packed with 11 games. While 12 playoff spots are already locked in, postseason seeding, the Presidents' Trophy, and draft lottery positioning remain unsettled.

From high-stakes division battles to key draft implications, here’s a breakdown of what each matchup means.

Early Games

New York Islanders at Philadelphia Flyers – 12:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

Though both clubs are out of playoff contention, this game has major implications for the draft order. The Flyers currently hold the No. 5 slot, tied in points with Boston and just ahead of Seattle. The Islanders sit at No. 10, flanked by the Ducks and Red Wings.

Washington Capitals at Columbus Blue Jackets – 12:30 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN+)

The Capitals have clinched the Eastern Conference’s top seed but trail the Jets by three points for the Presidents’ Trophy. Columbus remains mathematically alive in the wild-card race but also lingers near the draft lottery cutoff at No. 13.

Afternoon Feature

New York Rangers at Carolina Hurricanes – 3 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN+)

The Rangers’ slim postseason hopes hinge on a win here, as they trail the Canadiens by six points for the final wild-card spot. Carolina is locked into the Metro Division’s second seed and will host the Devils in the opening playoff round.

Primetime Showdowns

Colorado Avalanche at Los Angeles Kings – 4 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

A possible playoff preview, this clash features two surging Western Conference powers. The Avalanche are locked into third in the Central, while the Kings are eyeing a shot at the Pacific crown, though a second-place finish is more likely.

Buffalo Sabres at Florida Panthers – 6 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

The Sabres are out of playoff contention but showing promise with an 8-2-0 run. Florida remains in the thick of the Atlantic Division race, two points behind Tampa Bay and four off the division lead.

Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs – 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

The Canadiens are close to clinching a playoff berth, with a three-point magic number. The Maple Leafs lead the Atlantic Division by two points and look to stave off late pushes from the Lightning and Panthers.

Winnipeg Jets at Chicago Blackhawks – 7 p.m. ET (NHL Network)

A win would lock up the Central Division for Winnipeg and tighten their grip on the Presidents' Trophy. For the Blackhawks, it’s all about draft odds—they are guaranteed to finish no worse than second in the lottery, trailing only San Jose.

Utah Hockey Club at Dallas Stars – 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

In their debut season, Utah remained competitive into April. They now sit at No. 14 in the draft order. Dallas needs to win out and hope for a Jets collapse to claim the Central.

Late-Night Action

Minnesota Wild at Vancouver Canucks – 10 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

Minnesota holds a slim lead for the West’s top wild-card spot. The Canucks, last season’s Pacific Division winners, have missed the playoffs and currently occupy 15th in the draft lottery.

Nashville Predators at Vegas Golden Knights – 10 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

This game is more emotional than impactful: Jonathan Marchessault returns to Vegas for the first time as a Predator. Vegas can clinch the Pacific Division with a regulation win. Nashville is locked into the No. 3 draft slot.

St. Louis Blues at Seattle Kraken – 10 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

The Blues are clinging to the final Western Conference wild-card berth. Seattle, sixth in the lottery standings, is hoping to edge Philly and Boston for more favorable odds.

Updated Playoff Picture

Eastern Conference (If Season Ended Today)

• A1 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. WC1 Ottawa Senators

• A2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. A3 Florida Panthers

• 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 Los Angeles Kings vs. P3 Edmonton Oilers

Draft Lottery Race: Top 5 Contenders

• San Jose Sharks – 51 points

• Chicago Blackhawks – 56 points

• Nashville Predators – 66 points

• Boston Bruins – 73 points

• Philadelphia Flyers – 73 points

The draft lottery will determine the final order, and with just a few games remaining, teams are jostling for both playoff position and future prospects. Defenseman Matthew Schaefer remains the consensus top overall prospect.

With stakes ranging from division titles to draft order, Saturday’s action across the league promises drama and clarity as the playoff field locks into place.

Stay tuned to The Horizons Times for daily NHL playoff updates, draft previews, and postseason projections.