NHL Hockey 8-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 14, 2026, 8:58 AM ET
NHL Playoff Picture
The Boston Bruins' matchup against the Washington Capitals headlines Saturday's 14-game slate, with both teams jockeying for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference. The Bruins hold a three-point lead over the Capitals for the second wild-card spot, while the Central Division race remains tight as the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche are separated by just one point. In the Western Conference, the Minnesota Wild's four-game winning streak has vaulted them into the second wild-card position, though they face a crucial back-to-back against the surging Seattle Kraken. The NHL draft lottery standings show the Chicago Blackhawks with the best odds at 18.5% for the No. 1 pick, followed closely by the Montreal Canadiens at 16.5%.