The NHL Playoff Push is our daily look back and ahead at the post-season picture as teams position themselves for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
If the season ended today…
(M1) vs. 
(WC2)
(A1) vs. 
(WC1)
(A2) vs. 
(A3)
(M2) vs. 
(M3)
Note: The NHL changed the playoff format last season. Click here for full details.
Series we’d love to see: Montreal Canadiens vs. Washington Capitals – Two Hart candidates going head-to-head in the form of Carey Price vs. Alex Ovechkin, the NHL’s best goalie versus the NHL’s best sniper. What’s unappealing about that? Nothing. That’s what.
What’d I miss? Andrew Hammond and the Senators did it again as they earned a dramatic OT win over the Hurricanes to move within four points of a playoff spot…The Penguins continued to struggle and were unable to score on Cory Schneider in a 2-0 loss to New Jersey…The Atlantic-leading Canadiens got a win and gave Carey Price a rest, while putting a dent in the Panthers’ post-season aspirations…The Islanders failed to gain ground on the Rangers…The Maple Leafs were mathematically eliminated after the Bruins got a consolation point against the Sabres.
Wednesday’s game to watch: Chicago Blackhawks vs. New York Rangers This Original Six matchup is a perfect opportunity for the Rangers to increase their stranglehold on the Metropolitan Division. The Rangers beat the Blackhawks 1-0 in overtime earlier this month and haven’t lost to Chicago since 2012. The Blackhawks could be without Andrew “I like to hit things with my helmet while I’m still wearing my helmet” Shaw.
The rest of tonight’s sked:
-Blue Jackets vs. Oilers: This game has no impact on the playoff race whatsoever. Some implications for McDavid, though.
Fun fact: Andrew Hammond tied an NHL record by allowing two goals or fewer in each of his first 12 starts. If he can do it again in his next start he’ll break the record he now shares with Hall of Famer Frank Brimsek, accomplished the feat in 1938.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
If the season ended today…
(C1) vs. 
(WC2)
(P1) vs. 
(WC1)
(C2) vs. 
(C3)
(P2) vs. 
(P3)
Series we’d love to see: Anaheim Ducks vs. Minnesota Wild – This would be a rematch of the 2003 Western Conference Final, a series that features two underdog squads. Would Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry be able to disrupt Devan Dubnyk and the Wild? It would be fun to watch.
What’d I miss? The Blues took back the No. 1 seed in the West by blanking the Flames, who now find themselves on the outside looking in…The Jets picked up a huge 5-2 win over the struggling Sharks…The Blackhawks gained ground on the Predators who continued to struggle as they lost to the surging Wild…Alex Burrows scored twice as the Canucks maintained their position in the Pacific Division with a 4-1 over Philadelphia.
Wednesday’s game to watch: Anaheim Ducks vs. Los Angeles Kings: In what could potentially end up being a first-round matchup, these California rivals meet for the fifth time this season. The Ducks have won three of the four meetings and three of the games have been decided in extra time. Anaheim could get defenceman Sami Vatanen back, while Alec Martinez is close to returning to the Kings’ blue-line.
The rest of tonight’s sked:
-Blackhawks vs. Rangers: The red-hot Blackhawks look to extend its win streak to four.
Fun fact: The Wild set a franchise record Tuesday by registering an eighth consecutive win on the road.
