Sun Apr 13 05:20:00 UTC 2025: ## NHL Showdown Saturday: Playoff Berths and Draft Lottery Positions on the Line

**New York, NY** – With just one week remaining in the NHL regular season and the Stanley Cup Playoffs set to begin the following week, Showdown Saturday saw eleven games with high stakes for both playoff hopefuls and teams vying for advantageous draft lottery positions.

Twelve of the sixteen playoff teams have already secured their spots, but intense battles raged for seeding and the coveted Presidents’ Trophy. The Montreal Canadiens are on the cusp of clinching a playoff berth, needing only a few more points to secure their position. Meanwhile, the Winnipeg Jets aim to clinch the Central Division title and the top seed in the Western Conference. The Vegas Golden Knights are also on the verge of capturing the Pacific Division title.

Several games featured crucial matchups:

* **Playoff implications:** The Rangers, facing the Hurricanes, desperately need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Panthers, battling for the Atlantic Division title, faced off against the Sabres. The Blues and Flames are locked in a close battle for the final Western Conference wild-card spot.
* **Draft Lottery race:** Teams like the Flyers, Islanders, Kraken, and Blue Jackets, already eliminated from playoff contention, fought for better positioning in the NHL draft lottery, impacting their chances of selecting top prospects. The Blackhawks, currently projected for a top-two pick, also had their draft order still up in the air.

The day’s action concluded with some exciting final scores. The Canadiens took on the Maple Leafs, the Jets faced the Blackhawks, and the Predators played against the Golden Knights, all with huge implications for playoff positioning.

The NHL’s regular season concludes on April 17th, with the playoff picture set to become clearer in the coming days. The race for the top pick in the NHL draft also remains fiercely contested.

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