Each team has around 20 games remaining this season -- although Aaron Ekblad will be missing all 18 of the Florida Panthers' remaining regular-season games due to a suspension -- but it's not too early to look ahead at the dream matchups for the conference finals and Stanley Cup Final.

One of the contests during Tuesday's 11-game slate is a possible Eastern Conference finals preview: the Tampa Bay Lightning visit the Carolina Hurricanes (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+/Hulu/Disney+) in a showdown between two teams built for postseason success.

The winner won't necessarily have an edge as we head toward the postseason, but we can look at the projections from Stathletes to see the likelihood of a rematch later this spring.

Per the Stathletes model, the Hurricanes have the highest chances of making the ECF, at 48.2%, followed by the Panthers (38.2%), Washington Capitals (30.6%) and then the Lightning (29.8%); the Toronto Maple Leafs round out the top five at 18.6%.

If it comes down to the Canes and Lightning, Tampa Bay has the historical upper hand, winning the teams' lone series against each other, albeit during the slightly unusual 2021 playoffs, when those two teams were in the realigned Central Division (along with the Panthers, Chicago Blackhawks, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings and Nashville Predators).

There is a lot of runway left until the final day of the season April 17, and we'll help you keep track of it all on the NHL playoff watch. As we traverse the final stretch, we'll provide detail 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:
Current playoff matchups
Today's schedule
Yesterday's scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick

Current playoff matchups

Eastern Conference

A1 Florida Panthers vs. WC1 Ottawa Senators
A2 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. A3 Tampa Bay Lightning
M1 Washington Capitals vs. WC2 Columbus Blue Jackets
M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 New Jersey Devils

Western Conference

C1 Winnipeg Jets vs. WC2 Calgary Flames
C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche
P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC1 Minnesota Wild
P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings

Tuesday's games

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

Florida Panthers at Boston Bruins, 7 p.m.
Columbus Blue Jackets at New Jersey Devils, 7 p.m.
Ottawa Senators at Philadelphia Flyers, 7 p.m.
Vegas Golden Knights at Pittsburgh Penguins, 7 p.m.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Carolina Hurricanes, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN+/Hulu/Disney+)
Colorado Avalanche at Minnesota Wild, 8 p.m.
New York Rangers at Winnipeg Jets, 8 p.m.
Montreal Canadiens at Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m.
Washington Capitals at Anaheim Ducks, 10 p.m.
New York Islanders at Los Angeles Kings, 10:30 p.m.
Nashville Predators at San Jose Sharks, 10:30 p.m.

Monday's scoreboard

Buffalo Sabres 3, Edmonton Oilers 2
Ottawa Senators 2, Detroit Red Wings 1
Colorado Avalanche 3, Chicago Blackhawks 0
Toronto Maple Leafs 4, Utah Hockey Club 3 (SO)

Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

Florida Panthers

Points: 83
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 18
Points pace: 106.3
Next game: @ BOS (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Toronto Maple Leafs

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 18
Points pace: 103.8
Next game: vs. FLA (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Tampa Bay Lightning

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 19
Points pace: 101.5
Next game: @ CAR (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Ottawa Senators

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 19
Points pace: 92.4
Next game: @ PHI (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 91.6%
Tragic number: N/A

Montreal Canadiens

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 85.9
Next game: @ VAN (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 9.7%
Tragic number: 35

Detroit Red Wings

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 84.6
Next game: vs. BUF (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 9.4%
Tragic number: 33

Boston Bruins

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 83.3
Next game: vs. FLA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 5.6%
Tragic number: 31

Buffalo Sabres

Points: 56
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 72.9
Next game: @ DET (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 25

Metro Division

Washington Capitals

Points: 92
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 18
Points pace: 117.9
Next game: @ ANA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Carolina Hurricanes

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 18
Points pace: 102.5
Next game: vs. TB (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

New Jersey Devils

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 17
Points pace: 93.4
Next game: vs. CBJ (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 93.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Columbus Blue Jackets

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 19
Points pace: 91.1
Next game: @ NJ (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 42.1%
Tragic number: N/A

New York Rangers

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 87.1
Next game: @ WPG (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 28.1%
Tragic number: 35

New York Islanders

Points: 65
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 20
Points pace: 86.0
Next game: @ LA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 16.9%
Tragic number: 36

Philadelphia Flyers

Points: 62
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 78.2
Next game: vs. OTT (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 2.4%
Tragic number: 27

Pittsburgh Penguins

Points: 60
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 16
Points pace: 74.6
Next game: vs. VGK (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0.3%
Tragic number: 23

Central Division

Winnipeg Jets

Points: 92
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 17
Points pace: 116.1
Next game: @ PIT (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Dallas Stars

Points: 86
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 18
Points pace: 110.2
Next game: @ WPG (Friday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Colorado Avalanche

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 17
Points pace: 100.9
Next game: @ MIN (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Minnesota Wild

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 18
Points pace: 97.4
Next game: s. COL (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 91.1%
Tragic number: N/A

St. Louis Blues

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 87.1
Next game: @ PIT (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 29.9%
Tragic number: 34

Utah Hockey Club

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 85.8
Next game: vs. ANA (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 25.7%
Tragic number: 34

Nashville Predators

Points: 55
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 71.6
Next game: @ SJ (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 24

Chicago Blackhawks

Points: 49
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 61.8
Next game: @ SJ (Thursday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 14

Pacific Division

Vegas Golden Knights

Points: 82
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 19
Points pace: 106.7
Next game: @ PIT (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Edmonton Oilers

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 18
Points pace: 99.9
Next game: @ NJ (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 99.8%
Tragic number: N/A

Los Angeles Kings

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 20
Points pace: 99.2
Next game: vs. NYI (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 97.3%
Tragic number: N/A

Calgary Flames

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 19
Points pace: 91.1
Next game: vs. VAN (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 35.6%
Tragic number: N/A

Vancouver Canucks

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 89.8
Next game: vs. MTL (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 20.4%
Tragic number: 38

Anaheim Ducks

Points: 63
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 82.0
Next game: vs. WSH (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0.3%
Tragic number: 32

Seattle Kraken

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 73.2
Next game: vs. MTL (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 23

San Jose Sharks

Points: 43
Regulation wins: 12
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 54.3
Next game: vs. NSH (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 8

Race for the No. 1 pick

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 No. 1 pick. Full details on the process are here. Matthew Schaefer, a defenseman for the OHL's Erie Otters, is No. 1 on the draft board.

1. San Jose Sharks

Points: 43
Regulation wins: 12

2. Chicago Blackhawks

Points: 49
Regulation wins: 17

3. Nashville Predators

Points: 55
Regulation wins: 20

4. Buffalo Sabres

Points: 56
Regulation wins: 21

5. Seattle Kraken

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 22

6. Pittsburgh Penguins

Points: 60
Regulation wins: 17

7. Philadelphia Flyers

Points: 62
Regulation wins: 17

8. Anaheim Ducks

Points: 63
Regulation wins: 20

9. New York Islanders

Points: 65
Regulation wins: 23

10. Montreal Canadiens

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 21

11. Detroit Red Wings

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 22

12. Boston Bruins

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 22

13. Utah Hockey Club

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 20

14. New York Rangers

Points: 68
Regulation wins: 29

15. St. Louis Blues

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 22

16. Vancouver Canucks

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23

Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has given his backing to manager Ruben Amorim and said the Portuguese coach will remain at the club "for a long time."

Amorim has endured a difficult start after taking over from Erik ten Hag in November. The 40-year-old has won just 11 of his 26 games in charge, prompting suggestions that United could look to make a change in the summer.

Ratcliffe, however, has given Amorim a vote of confidence and backed the former Sporting CP coach to have a lengthy spell at Old Trafford.

"If I actually look at the squad which is available to Ruben, I think he is doing a really good job to be honest," Ratcliffe said in an interview with the BBC. "I think Ruben is an outstanding young manager. I really do. He's an excellent manager and I think he will be there for a long time."

United are languishing 14th in the table after the 1-1 draw with Arsenal on Sunday. It follows an eighth-place finish last season -- the club's lowest in the Premier League era -- and Ratcliffe offered a damning assessment of the squad he inherited when he purchased a minority stake in the club a year ago.

"Some are not good enough and some probably are overpaid, but for us to mold the squad that we are fully responsible for, and accountable for, will take time," he said. "We've got this period of transformation where we move from the past to the future."

Ratcliffe was present at Old Trafford on Sunday as thousands of fans staged a protest ahead of kickoff. Most of the anger was directed at majority owners the Glazer family, although Ratcliffe himself has come in for criticism for his sweeping cost-cutting measures which have included making 450 staff redundant.

The 72-year-old British billionaire has also sanctioned ticket price rises, but stressed the decisions are necessary to prevent United from heading towards financial ruin.

"We are in the process of change and it's an uncomfortable period and disruptive and I do feel sympathy with the fans," said Ratcliffe. "The simple answer is the club runs out of money at Christmas if we don't do those things."

Manchester United are still believing that coach Ruben Amorim will replicate the success he had at Sporting CP at Old Trafford, according to club captain Bruno Fernandes.

Amorim left Sporting in November to join United having led the Portuguese outfit to two league titles in four and a half years in charge. United have won only 11 of their 26 games under him.

"I knew the way Sporting was playing, I knew the fans were excited and the players were very happy with him [Amorim] there," Fernandes said of Amorim to CBS Sports. "I think we all saw in the last game that he had there [at Sporting] how much togetherness there was with the players and staff during that time.

"Me and my teammates and the technical staff, including the manager, want to recreate that. To recreate that obviously we need trophies, too."

United, who finished eighth last season in the Premier League, are 14th in the table after a 1-1 draw with Arsenal on Sunday. They host Real Sociedad in Thursday's Europa League round of 16 return leg after a 1-1 result in the opening leg.

United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe recently backed Amorim, stating the 40-year-old will remain at the club "for a long time."

Fernandes, who is United's top scorer with seven goals, has a lot of responsibility as captain and understands what Amorim, who is also Portuguese, represents in their country.

Amorim praised Fernandes after Sunday's game saying United "need more Brunos" after the midfielder scored a first-half free kick and almost netted a late winner against Arsenal.

Fernandes does not have, however, a special relationship with the coach.

"I wouldn't say we're quite close," Fernandes said smiling. "We don't speak that much to be honest. He is a manager that is very, very quiet...Obviously being the captain most of the things he wants to pass to the team many times come to me but many other times doesn't even come from him but from his staff.

"Obviously, we have a good relationship but I wouldn't say that is different than any other player. I knew the things that he was doing at Sporting but it wasn't someone I knew personally."

Manchester United minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has announced plans to build a new 100,000-seat stadium next to Old Trafford.

"Today marks the start of an incredibly exciting journey to the delivery of what will be the world's greatest football stadium, at the centre of a regenerated Old Trafford," Ratcliffe said in a statement.

The British billionaire had been open about his desire for a new, state-of-the art ground since he became a minority owner in February of last year, and the club had been studying whether to redevelop the existing stadium or build a new one.

Here's what it will look like:

Information from Reuters contributed to this report.

Manchester United have officially announced plans to leave Old Trafford, their home for more than 100 years, and move into a new stadium.

The proposal was unveiled on Tuesday and has been backed by former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

It follows recommendations made by the Old Trafford Regeneration Task force -- set up more than a year ago -- and a series of fan consultations.

The other option on the table was to redevelop the existing stadium, but the club have opted to move to a new home. A source has told ESPN that the club will not need to play a game away from Old Trafford while the work is completed.

"Today marks the start of an incredibly exciting journey to the delivery of what will be the world's greatest football stadium, at the centre of a regenerated Old Trafford," co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe said on Tuesday.

"Our current stadium has served us brilliantly for the past 115 years, but it has fallen behind the best arenas in world sport.

"By building next to the existing site, we will be able to preserve the essence of Old Trafford, while creating a truly state-of-the-art stadium that transforms the fan experience only footsteps from our historic home."

Old Trafford, which has a capacity of 76,000 after the last expansion in 2006, was opened in 1910. United's plan would see a new stadium built on the same site in Manchester with a potential capacity of 100,000, making it the biggest stadium in the UK.

Sources have told ESPN that plans to keep Old Trafford as a home for the women's team and youth teams were explored but eventually knocked back.

The new stadium is set to sit within a wider regeneration of the area which could see the construction of 17,000 new homes.

Ferguson, United's longest-serving manager, said the club had been "brave" in deciding to move away from Old Trafford.

"Manchester United should always strive for the best in everything it does, on and off the pitch, and that includes the stadium we play in," Ferguson said.

"Old Trafford holds so many special memories for me personally, but we must be brave and seize this opportunity to build a new home, fit for the future, where new history can be made."

Dublin will host the second Trans-Atlantic Masters Squash Series (TAMS) between England, Ireland, USA and Canada at the iconic Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club in Dublin.

Ireland agreed to host an expanded series after the success of the inaugural event in March last year in New York City. It will take place between March 14 and 16.

Irish event organisers Dara OFlynn and Jennifer Dillon shared their excitement in welcoming an elite international masters squash group to Dublin.

OFlynn, Squash Chairman at the famous Fitzwilliam Club said, were proud to promote the growing international masters squash game and we have a great event planned.

With the event fast approaching, Dillon stated, it just happens to be held on St Patricks weekend so what better time to showcase the best of Irish hospitality!

Paul Boyle (England), one of the founding organisers of the New York event, said the TAMS organising committee listened to feedback following New York which resulted in an expanded event over three days in mens and womens over 50s and 60s age categories.

Boyle said, weve had huge interest in the event internationally and I remain grateful to England Squash Masters for continuing to back us.

Richard Chin (USA), also one of the founding TAMS organisers, hoped that the event would become entrenched in the squash calendar. After the successful New York event and the World Squash Masters in Amsterdam in 2024, weve had no problem finding players who are keen to travel and represent the USA, said Chin.

Fiona Curthoys of the Squash Canada Masters Committee agreed with Chin. Canadian players have embraced the opportunity to play international squash, also being enticed by the prospect of the Full Irish Experience in Dublin, said Curthoys.

The 2024 event in New York City was won by the England mens over 50s and 60s teams with Canada winning the over 50s womens trophy. England were also declared overall winners, but this year they face a sterner test from strong Ireland teams across all age groups and an equally strong North American travelling contingent. The timing of the event was not lost on OFlynn when asked to predict a winner, funny things can happen over St Patricks weekend, he said.

Jamison Gibson-Park says he is "really lucky" to have learnt from legendary scrum-half Conor Murray, who will play his final game for Ireland on Saturday.

The 35-year-old will call time on his international career after Ireland's final game of the Six Nations in Rome.

Alongside Peter O'Mahony and Cian Healy, who will also retire from Test rugby after the tournament, Murray played his final Ireland game in Dublin in Saturday's defeat by France.

Gibson-Park said Murray, who has won five Six Nations titles, was "unbelievable and a great guy".

"He was one of the best in the world for the guts of 10 years," said Gibson-Park, who moved to Ireland from his native New Zealand to join Leinster in 2016.

"I used to watch on and when I first arrived in Ireland I was kind of amazed at how good he was really, he was unbelievably consistent and I suppose in many ways I felt at that time I was probably a little inconsistent.

"So I looked up to guys like him for sure, and then getting into camp with him, it's been awesome to rub shoulders with him. He's such a great guy and he's certainly helped my career."

Gibson-Park says Ireland will be motivated for Murray, O'Mahony and Healy to end their time in green on a high.

"I feel privileged to have played with all three of them," he said.

"It would be nice to finish off in a good way for the lads that are done, obviously it was their last game in the Aviva, but we have another game [on Saturday] to look forward to.

"That's the beauty about this competition, we still have a game to go and we can turn around hopefully, so I look forward to that."

Former Ireland and Lions wing Simon Zebo says "hot competition" remains across the back-three positions.

Wing Duhan van der Merwe had some nice touches but did not score any of Scotland's five tries against Wales, and Ireland's James Lowe injured his back in the warm-up in Dublin and had to withdraw.

England wing Tommy Freeman added his fourth try of the campaign with a powerful finish from Elliot Daly's clever kick through, while his Northampton club-mate Ollie Sleightholme scored twice out wide.

Zebo says Freeman, who has the second-most tries in the tournament alongside Jones, is a strong contender for the Lions.

"He has been fantastic for Northampton for some time and is a fantastic finisher," Zebo told BBC's Six Nations Rugby Special.

"He is definitely in with a shout. It is hot competition in the back three but he is probably the form player at the moment."

Scotland full-back Blair Kinghorn, meanwhile, also strengthened his claim for a place on the plane.

The Toulouse flier showed his athleticism and power to finish two tries in victory over Wales, but his unavailability in the early stages of the tour with the Top 14 season still ongoing may concern Farrell.

Elsewhere, Hugo Keenan had a quiet game for Ireland and England's Marcus Smith was dropped for Daly, before producing an impressive try-scoring performance from the bench at Allianz Stadium.

Lawrence's early injury saw Smith, who usually operates at fly-half, enter the fray at full-back with 32-year-old Daly moving into midfield.

Daly will be targeting a third Lions tour after starring at outside centre, while Smith made a crucial try-saving tackle on Italy's Matt Gallagher before stretching England's lead with a fine solo finish at the other end.

DENVER -- The nerves, Chicago defenseman Artyom Levshunov insisted, were nonexistent ahead of his NHL debut Monday night against Colorado.

Excitement, sure, but no pregame jitters hours before the opening faceoff.

"Why?" the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 draft casually said of nerves. "It's a hockey game. I've got to go and do my job, play hard."

The 19-year-old from Belarus held up quite well, too. He skated for almost 21 minutes in a 3-0 loss to Nathan MacKinnon and the high-flying Avalanche. The game was scoreless before the last-place Blackhawks faltered in the third period.

"They're a really good team. They have a lot of good players," Levshunov before the loss. "I have to play better."

Attempting to stop Colorado, with all its scoring and speed, can only build confidence.

"That is almost better, getting thrown into the wolves here with (Cale Makar) and Nate just flying at you," second-year forward Connor Bedard said. "Every team you play has great players, but those two guys are flying. Every night you're playing against great players so I think there's going to be challenges every game."

The 6-foot-2, 208-pound Levshunov missed the start of the season because of a fractured right foot. He was recalled by Chicago on Sunday from Rockford of the American Hockey League, where he had five goals and 17 assists in 50 games.

"Of course, I was dreaming about this all my hockey life," said Levshunov, who signed an entry-level contract with Chicago in July after spending one season at Michigan State, where he was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. "I was waiting for this a long time."

Bedard offered a piece of advice: Soak in the moment.

"We're not putting any pressure on him or anything," Bedard said. "Just play his game. There's always learning curves with anyone. We know he's going to be great, and we're just excited for him."