With the NHL playoff race heating up, we track the teams impacted by last night’s results and which of tonight’s games will affect the playoff picture.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
If the season ended today…
BOSTON BRUINS vs. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
PITTSBURGH PENGUINS vs. DETROIT RED WINGS
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING vs. MONTREAL CANADIENS
NEW YORK RANGERS vs. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
Who’s already clinched? Boston Bruins
Who can clinch tonight? The Pittsburgh Penguins would clinch a playoff berth with a win against Phoenix or if they register a point combined with a Capitals loss or a Columbus loss in regulation. Even if Pittsburgh loses in regulation, they can clinch with a Leafs loss in any fashion combined with a Washington regulation loss. Sounds simple, right?
What’d I miss? The Montreal Canadiens ended Boston’s 12-game winning streak when Alex Galchenyuk scored the lone shootout goal to secure a 2-1 victory. The win allowed the Habs to pull even with Tampa Bay in the Atlantic after the Lightning fell 4-3 to the Ottawa Senators in a shootout. The Lightning still have a game in hand, though. In the Metropolitan Division, the New York Rangers overcame a two-goal deficit to beat Phoenix 4-3 in overtime. Ryan McDonagh netted the game-winning goal. The Rangers moved into second place in the division as Philadelphia fell short in a 4-3 contest with the Los Angeles Kings. Heading into Tuesday’s action, New York owns a one-point lead over the Flyers, but Philadelphia has two games in hand.
Tuesday’s game to watch: Detroit Red Wings @ Columbus Blue Jackets. The final regular-season meeting between the former Western Conference foes couldn’t be bigger. Columbus sits just two points behind Detroit and Toronto in the wild-card standings and have a chance to gain on their direct competition. Columbus has just one regulation win in its past six games as its power play has hit the skids — no goals in its last 35 opportunities. Detroit is hoping to extend its league-best streak of 22 playoff appearances. The Wings have dealt with a ridiculous number of injuries this season but remain in the thick of the race with three wins in their past four games.
Fun fact: Gustav Nyquist leads the NHL in goals since Jan. 20 with 18 goals in 23 games. Where does Detroit keep finding these guys?
WESTERN CONFERENCE
If the season ended today…
ST. LOUIS BLUES vs. PHOENIX COYOTES
SAN JOSE SHARKS vs. MINNESOTA WILD
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS vs. COLORADO AVALANCHE
ANAHEIM DUCKS vs. LOS ANGELES KINGS
Who’s already clinched? St. Louis Blues, San Jose Sharks
Who can clinch tonight? Chicago can lock up a post-season berth with a victory over Dallas in regulation combined with a Coyotes loss to Pittsburgh. If the Blackhawks win in overtime or a shootout, they can still clinch if the Coyotes lose in regulation. The idle Ducks can also book a trip to the post-season with a Phoenix or Dallas loss in any fashion.
What’d I miss? Karri Ramo made 33 saves as the surprisingly hot Calgary Flames beat the San Jose Sharks 2-1 in a shootout. The one point was all San Jose needed to clinch its 10th consecutive playoff berth, the second-longest streak in the league. But the Sharks are still in tight at the top of the Pacific Division race; San Jose is just two points up on Anaheim, which has two games in hand. It was a tougher night for the Coyotes, who fell short in overtime to the Rangers and lost star goaltender Mike Smith after he was forced to leave the game with a lower-body injury. He could be out for an extended period, which would be a devastating loss. At the same time, the Stars gained a point on Phoenix with their 2-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets. Tyler Seguin scored his 32nd of the year to put the Stars within one point of the Coyotes for the final wild-card spot.
Tuesday’s game to watch: Dallas Stars @ Chicago Blackhawks. Dallas pulled within a point of Phoenix but will be in tough against a Blackhawks team that has won three of four against the Stars this season. Dallas last beat Chicago on Dec. 3. The game has implications for Chicago as well. The ‘Hawks are just three points ahead of Colorado, whom they are battling for home-ice advantage in the first round. They’ll need to shut down Stars top centre Tyler Seguin, who has a point in nine straight games. Chicago could debut forward prospect Teuvo Teravainen to help fill the void for the injured Patrick Kane, who is expected to be out for the remainder of the regular season. Since the scoring winger sustained the injury, Chicago has yet to register a goal on the power play (0-for-9).
Fun fact: Who said Ken Hitchcock’s team couldn’t score? St. Louis ranks third in the NHL with 228 goals for this season.
The rest of tonight’s sked:
Blues @ Maple Leafs: Can the Leafs end their five-game slide against the top team in the West? Bernier may start as James Reimer has just four wins in his last 17 starts.
Coyotes @ Penguins: Phoenix starts backup netminder Thomas Greiss in critical contest with the slumping Penguins.
Kings @ Capitals: L.A. has won its past six road games, while Washington has won four of its last five. Something has to give.
Sharks @ Oilers: San Jose looks to extend its Pacific lead with second straight game in Alberta.
Avalanche @ Predators: Colorado has lost three in a row, while Nashville has wins in five of its last eight.
Sabres @ Canadiens: After Peter Budaj had 28 saves to beat Boston, the Habs start Carey Price against the lowly Sabres.
Senators @ Panthers: Roberto Luongo is 10-11-1 in his career against the Senators.
Islanders @ Hurricanes: This game won’t have any impact on the playoff race. Thanks for showing up.
