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: Bruins vs. Canadiens — Who wouldn’t want to see the best rivalry in hockey? The Canadiens pulled off the upset last spring and the Bruins (especially Milan Lucic) are definitely seeking revenge.
What’d I miss? Sidney Crosby was a late scratch Saturday with an undisclosed illness…Evgeni Malkin got hurt on his first shift as the Penguins were shut out 2-0 by the Bruins…It was the fifth straight win for Boston, who moved into the No. 1 wild card spot…There were no changes at the top of the conference. The first-seeded Rangers shut out the lowly Sabres while Hart Trophy candidate Carey Price backstopped Montreal with a 35-save effort to beat the Islanders.
The Panthers beat the Hurricanes to jump past the idle Senators in the wild card race. Florida remains six points behind Washington, but have a game in hand….Tampa Bay and Detroit both lost, but it had no real impact on the standings.
Sunday’s game to watch: Detroit Red Wings vs. Pittsburgh Penguins: The big story for Pittsburgh is whether Crosby or Malkin can return to action on Sunday afternoon. The Penguins were blanked without their two stars forward and missed out on an opportunity to gain ground on the New York Islanders. Detroit is also coming off a tough loss. They were shelled in an afternoon loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. Jimmy Howard allowed seven goals on Saturday so expect the Red Wings to start backup Petr Mrazek.
The rest of tonight’s sked:
-Panthers vs. Rangers: Cam Talbot will return to the net after Mackenzie Skapski’s first career shutout.
-Bruins vs. Capitals: Boston has scored first in each of its past 11 games.
-Flyers vs. Senators: Senators goalie Andrew Hammond has yet to lose in regulation (9-0-1).
Fun fact: Hammond is the third goalie since 1938 to allow two goals or fewer in his first 10 NHL starts.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
If the season ended today…
(C1) vs. (WC2)
(P1) vs. (WC1)
(A2) vs. (A3)
(M2) vs. (M3)
Series we’d love to see: Nashville Predators vs. Winnipeg Jets: There’s no real history here, but the Jets and Predators are two of the most entertaining teams in the league. The West can use some fresh blood.
What’d I miss? The Winnipeg Jets moved back into a playoff position after a third-period rally to beat the Tampa Bay Lightning. With the win, the Jets passed the Kings in the wild card standings after Los Angeles fell 2-1 to Nashville…The Predators’ victory combined with a St. Louis loss to Minnesota put Nashville back into the conference’s top seed, surpassing the idle Ducks.
Vancouver regained their home ice advantage in a potential playoff series with the Flames by rolling over the lacklustre Maple Leafs while Calgary dropped a 3-2 contest to the Colorado Avalanche…Vancouver is one point up on the Flames with a game in hand…San Jose missed an early opportunity to gain ground. They fell 6-2 to Chicago in the afternoon. Patrick Sharp ended a long goalless drought with two goals against the Sharks.
Sunday’s game to watch: Nashville Predators vs. Anaheim Ducks — The Predators and Ducks are fighting for the top spot in the conference. Entering Sunday, both teams are tied with 93 points. However, Anaheim is the likely favourite on Sunday. The Predators are coming off a tough game against the Kings on Saturday night and the Ducks have won both of the previous matchups against Nashville this season.
The rest of tonight’s sked:
-Blues vs. Stars — The Stars have gone 5-1-0 in their past six games.
Fun fact: Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen has gone 8-1-2 in his past 11 games.