NHL playoff watch: Knights-Oilers is Wednesday's key game ESPN

The Wednesday night schedule in the NHL is significantly lighter than Tuesday's, with just three games compared to 13. But, there is one doozy on the docket.

The Vegas Golden Knights visit the Edmonton Oilers (8:30 p.m. ET, TNT) in a game that will have implications on the Pacific Division and the entire Western Conference playoff bracket.

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For the Oilers, there is a path to winning the division. Entering Wednesday, Edmonton trails the Vancouver Canucks by five points and five regulation wins, though it has two games in hand. The Canucks are in action Wednesday night as well, against the Arizona Coyotes (10:30 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+). The Oilers don't necessarily have to win out to take the division title, but there's not a ton of wiggle room. Of note, they will host the Canucks on Saturday.

The Golden Knights are nearly a lock for a playoff spot, but their first-round matchup remains in flux. Heading into Wednesday, they are in the second wild-card spot, and would face the Western Division champ with the most points (currently the Dallas Stars). However, they are one point and three regulation wins behind the Los Angeles Kings for the No. 3 seed in the Pacific, while they are three points and four regulation wins behind the Nashville Predators for the first wild-card spot.

Put another way: While there is little doubt which eight Western teams are making the playoffs, there are a great many permutations regarding the first-round matchups -- and this game Wednesday will have a notable impact on determining which of those is most likely.

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 matchupsClinching scenariosWednesday's scheduleTuesday'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 New York Islanders

Western Conference

C1 Dallas Stars vs. WC2 Vegas Golden KnightsC2 Colorado Avalanche vs. C3 Winnipeg JetsP1 Vancouver Canucks vs. WC1 Nashville PredatorsP2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings

Clinching scenarios

1. The Vegas Golden Knights will clinch a playoff berth if they defeat the Edmonton Oilers in regulation AND the St. Louis Blues lose to the Chicago Blackhawks in any fashion. They can also clinch a berth if they defeat the Oilers in overtime or a shootout AND the Blues lose to the Blackhawks in regulation.

2. The idle Los Angeles Kings will clinch a playoff berth if the Blues lose to the Blackhawks in regulation.

Wednesday's games

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).

Chicago Blackhawks at St. Louis Blues, 8 p.m.Vegas Golden Knights at Edmonton Oilers, 8:30 p.m (TNT)Arizona Coyotes at Vancouver Canucks, 10:30 p.m.

Tuesday's scoreboard

Playoff Hockey Challenge

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Carolina Hurricanes 4, Boston Bruins 1Montreal Canadiens 9, Philadelphia Flyers 3Washington Capitals 2, Detroit Red Wings 1Tampa Bay Lightning 5, Columbus Blue Jackets 2Florida Panthers 2, Ottawa Senators 0Toronto Maple Leafs 5, New Jersey Devils 2New York Islanders 4, New York Rangers 2Winnipeg Jets 4, Nashville Predators 3 (OT)Dallas Stars 3, Buffalo Sabres 2Colorado Avalanche 5, Minnesota Wild 2Anaheim Ducks 3, Los Angeles Kings 1Seattle Kraken 5, Arizona Coyotes 0Calgary Flames 3, San Jose Sharks 2 (OT)

Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

Points: 107Regulation wins: 35Playoff position: A1Games left: 3Points pace: 111Next game: @ PIT (Saturday)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 104Regulation wins: 40Playoff position: A2Games left: 3Points pace: 108Next game: vs. CBJ (Thursday)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 101Regulation wins: 33Playoff position: A3Games left: 4Points pace: 106Next game: vs. NJ (Thursday)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 95Regulation wins: 36Playoff position: WC1Games left: 4Points pace: 100Next game: vs. OTT (Thursday)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 84Regulation wins: 27Playoff position: N/AGames left: 4Points pace: 88Next game: @ PIT (Thursday)Playoff chances: 33.2%Tragic number: 7

Points: 79Regulation wins: 31Playoff position: N/AGames left: 3Points pace: 82Next game: vs. WSH (Thursday)Playoff chances: ~0%Tragic number: 1

Points: 72Regulation wins: 24Playoff position: N/AGames left: 4Points pace: 76Next game: @ TB (Thursday)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E

Points: 72Regulation wins: 20Playoff position: N/AGames left: 4Points pace: 76Next game: @ NYI (Thursday)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E

Metropolitan Division

Points: 110Regulation wins: 42Playoff position: M1Games left: 3Points pace: 114Next game: vs. PHI (Thursday)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 107Regulation wins: 42Playoff position: M2Games left: 3Points pace: 111Next game: @ STL (Friday)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 87Regulation wins: 27Playoff position: M3Games left: 4Points pace: 92Next game: vs. MTL (Thursday)Playoff chances: 83.5%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 85Regulation wins: 29Playoff position: WC2Games left: 4Points pace: 89Next game: @ BUF (Thursday)Playoff chances: 44.4%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 84Regulation wins: 31Playoff position: N/AGames left: 4Points pace: 88Next game: vs. DET (Thursday)Playoff chances: 34.5%Tragic number: 8

Points: 83Regulation wins: 28Playoff position: N/AGames left: 3Points pace: 86Next game: @ NYR (Thursday)Playoff chances: 4.4%Tragic number: 4

Points: 79Regulation wins: 32Playoff position: N/AGames left: 3Points pace: 82Next game: @ TOR (Thursday)Playoff chances: ~0%Tragic number: 1

Points: 64Regulation wins: 20Playoff position: N/AGames left: 3Points pace: 66Next game: @ FLA (Thursday)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E

Central Division

Points: 109Regulation wins: 39Playoff position: C1Games left: 3Points pace: 113Next game: vs. WPG (Thursday)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 104Regulation wins: 41Playoff position: C2Games left: 3Points pace: 108Next game: vs. WPG (Saturday)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 102Regulation wins: 42Playoff position: C3Games left: 4Points pace: 107Next game: @ DAL (Thursday)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 95Regulation wins: 36Playoff position: WC1Games left: 3Points pace: 99Next game: @ CHI (Friday)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 87Regulation wins: 29Playoff position: N/AGames left: 4Points pace: 92Next game: vs. CHI (Wednesday)Playoff chances: 0.5%Tragic number: 3

Points: 83Regulation wins: 30Playoff position: N/AGames left: 4Points pace: 87Next game: @ VGK (Friday)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E

Points: 71Regulation wins: 27Playoff position: N/AGames left: 4Points pace: 75Next game: @ VAN (Wednesday)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E

Points: 51Regulation wins: 17Playoff position: N/AGames left: 5Points pace: 54Next game: @ STL (Wednesday)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E

Pacific Division

Points: 104Regulation wins: 42Playoff position: P1Games left: 4Points pace: 109Next game: vs. ARI (Wednesday)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 99Regulation wins: 37Playoff position: P2Games left: 6Points pace: 107Next game: vs. VGK (Wednesday)Playoff chances: 100%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 93Regulation wins: 35Playoff position: P3Games left: 4Points pace: 98Next game: vs. CGY (Thursday)Playoff chances: 99.9%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 92Regulation wins: 32Playoff position: WC2Games left: 5Points pace: 98Next game: @ EDM (Wednesday)Playoff chances: 99.6%Tragic number: N/A

Points: 79Regulation wins: 27Playoff position: N/AGames left: 5Points pace: 84Next game: vs. SJ (Thursday)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E

Points: 75Regulation wins: 29Playoff position: N/AGames left: 5Points pace: 80Next game: @ LA (Thursday)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E

Points: 57Regulation wins: 20Playoff position: N/AGames left: 3Points pace: 59Next game: vs. CGY (Friday)Playoff chances: 0%Tragic number: E

Points: 45Regulation wins: 13Playoff position: N/AGames left: 4Points pace: 47Next game: @ SEA (Thursday)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: 45Regulation wins: 13

Points: 51Regulation wins: 17

Points: 57Regulation wins: 20

Points: 64Regulation wins: 20

Points: 71Regulation wins: 27

Points: 72Regulation wins: 20

Points: 72Regulation wins: 24

Points: 75Regulation wins: 29

Points: 79Regulation wins: 27

Points: 79Regulation wins: 31

Points: 79Regulation wins: 32

Points: 83Regulation wins: 28

Points: 83Regulation wins: 30

Points: 84Regulation wins: 27

Points: 84Regulation wins: 31

Points: 87Regulation 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.