The Dallas Stars' 2021 season got off to a delayed start due to COVID-19 postponements, and through the season they've had some extra games remaining compared to their competition -- a welcome sight as they've looked to make up ground in the race for a Central Division playoff spot.

The bad news is that extra buffer has been depleted, as they now have eight games left just like the Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning and Chicago Blackhawks within the division. The good news is that with Monday night's 4-3 victory over the Canes, they're now just two points out of a postseason berth.

Dallas and Carolina are at it again at 8:30 p.m. ET Tuesday night (streaming live on ESPN+). If Dallas wins again -- and the Nashville Predators lose to the Florida Panthers -- the Stars will move into a standings point tie with the Predators for the No. 4 slot (though Nashville holds the head-to-head matchup edge, 4-3). This race is far from over.

As we enter 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 2021 NHL draft lottery.

Note: Playoff chances are via Money Puck. Tragic numbers are courtesy of Damian Echevarrieta of the NHL.

Jump ahead:
Current playoff matchups
Race for No. 1 pick

East Division

Pittsburgh Penguins

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: E1
Games left: 7
Next game: vs. BOS (Apr. 27)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Washington Capitals

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: E2
Games left: 8
Next game: vs. NYI (Apr. 27)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

New York Islanders

Points: 63
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: E3
Games left: 8
Next game: @ WSH (Apr. 27)
Playoff chances: 97.8%
Tragic number: N/A

Boston Bruins

Points: 60
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: E4
Games left: 9
Next game: @ PIT (Apr. 27)
Playoff chances: 94.6%
Tragic number: N/A

New York Rangers

Points: 56
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Next game: vs. BUF (Apr. 27)
Playoff chances: 7.5%
Tragic number: 11

Philadelphia Flyers

Points: 51
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Next game: @ NJ (Apr. 27)
Playoff chances: 0.2%
Tragic number: 7

New Jersey Devils

Points: 35
Regulation wins: 11
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Next game: vs. PHI (Apr. 27
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Buffalo Sabres

Points: 33
Regulation wins: 10
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Next game: @ NYR (Apr. 27)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Central Division

Carolina Hurricanes - x

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 8
Next game: @ DAL (Apr. 27)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Florida Panthers

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 6
Next game: @ NSH (Apr. 27)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Tampa Bay Lightning

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 8
Next game: @ CHI (Apr. 27)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Nashville Predators

Points: 56
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff position: C4
Games left: 6
Next game: vs. FLA (Apr. 27)
Playoff chances: 61.7%
Tragic number: N/A

Dallas Stars

Points: 54
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Next game: vs. CAR (Apr. 27)
Playoff chances: 37.5%
Tragic number: 14

Chicago Blackhawks

Points: 49
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Next game: vs. TB (Apr. 27)
Playoff chances: 0.8%
Tragic number: 9

Detroit Red Wings

Points: 42
Regulation wins: 15
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Next game: @ CBJ (Apr. 27)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Columbus Blue Jackets

Points: 40
Regulation wins: 11
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Next game: vs. DET (Apr. 27)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

North Division

Toronto Maple Leafs

Points: 65
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N1
Games left: 8
Next game: @ MTL (Apr. 28)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Edmonton Oilers

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N2
Games left: 10
Next game: @ WPG (Apr. 28)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Winnipeg Jets

Points: 57
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N3
Games left: 8
Next game: vs. EDM (Apr. 28)
Playoff chances: 99.6%
Tragic number: N/A

Montreal Canadiens

Points: 51
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff position: N4
Games left: 9
Next game: vs. TOR (Apr. 28)
Playoff chances: 89.7%
Tragic number: N/A

Calgary Flames

Points: 45
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Next game: @ EDM (Apr. 29)
Playoff chances: 8.2%
Tragic number: 10

Vancouver Canucks

Points: 41
Regulation wins: 13
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 14
Next game: @ OTT (Apr. 28)
Playoff chances: 2.5%
Tragic number: 18

Ottawa Senators

Points: 40
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Next game: vs. VAN (Apr. 28)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: 3

West Division

Vegas Golden Knights - x

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: W1
Games left: 9
Next game: vs. COL (Apr. 28)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Colorado Avalanche - x

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: W2
Games left: 10
Next game: @ VGS (Apr. 28)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Minnesota Wild - x

Points: 65
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: W3
Games left: 9
Next game: vs. STL (Apr. 28)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

St. Louis Blues

Points: 48
Regulation wins: 15
Playoff position: W4
Games left: 10
Next game: @ MIN (Apr. 28)
Playoff chances: 68.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Arizona Coyotes

Points: 47
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Next game: @ SJ (Apr. 28)
Playoff chances: 20.3%
Tragic number: 13

San Jose Sharks

Points: 43
Regulation wins: 13
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 8
Next game: vs. ARI (Apr. 28)
Playoff chances: 3.6%
Tragic number: 11

Los Angeles Kings

Points: 42
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 10
Next game: vs. ANA (Apr. 28)
Playoff chances: 7.3%
Tragic number: 14

Anaheim Ducks

Points: 35
Regulation wins: 9
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 7
Next game: @ LA (Apr. 28)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: 1

Current playoff matchups

East Division

No. 1 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. No. 4 Boston Bruins
No. 2 Washington Capitals vs. No. 3 New York Islanders

Central Division

No. 1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. No. 4 Nashville Predators
No. 2 Florida Panthers vs. No. 3 Tampa Bay Lightning

North Division

No. 1 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. No. 4 Montreal Canadiens
No. 2 Edmonton Oilers vs. No. 3 Winnipeg Jets

West Division

No. 1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. No. 4 St. Louis Blues
No. 2 Colorado Avalanche vs. No. 3 Minnesota Wild

Race for the No. 1 pick

The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order at the top of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. New for 2021, a team may 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.

1. Buffalo Sabres

Points: 33
Regulation wins: 10

2. Anaheim Ducks

Points: 35
Regulation wins: 9

3. New Jersey Devils

Points: 35
Regulation wins: 11

4. Columbus Blue Jackets

Points: 40
Regulation wins: 11

5. Ottawa Senators

Points: 40
Regulation wins: 14

6. Vancouver Canucks

Points: 41
Regulation wins: 13

7. Detroit Red Wings

Points: 42
Regulation wins: 15

8. Los Angeles Kings

Points: 42
Regulation wins: 16

9. San Jose Sharks

Points: 43
Regulation wins: 13

10. Calgary Flames

Points: 45
Regulation wins: 18

11. Arizona Coyotes

Points: 47
Regulation wins: 17

12. Chicago Blackhawks

Points: 49
Regulation wins: 14

13. Philadelphia Flyers

Points: 51
Regulation wins: 14

14. Dallas Stars

Points: 54
Regulation wins: 16

15. New York Rangers

Points: 56
Regulation wins: 22