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…
PITTSBURGH PENGUINS (1) vs. NEW YORK ISLANDERS (8)
MONTREAL CANADIENS (2) vs. NEW YORK RANGERS (7)
WASHINGTON CAPITALS (3) vs. OTTAWA SENATORS (6)
BOSTON BRUINS (4) vs. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (5)
Who’s already clinched? Pittsburgh Penguins.
Who can clinch tonight? The Penguins have already clinched a playoff spot but they can clinch a division title with a win over Carolina.
What’d I miss? The Toronto Maple Leafs bolstered their playoff chances with a crucial regulation win over the Rangers. They are now eight points up on the ninth-seeded Devils with just nine games to go. In the same division, Boston moved one point behind the division-leading Canadiens with a dominant win over struggling Carolina.
Tuesday’s game to watch: Washington Capitals vs. Montreal Canadiens. Can Alex Ovechkin continue his impressive streak against Carey Price? It’s a critical game as Montreal and Washington hold slight leads atop their respective division. The Capitals can fall all the way out of the playoff race if they are passed by the Jets, who are just two points back.
Tonight’s sked:
Philadelphia Flyers @ New York Islanders – Islanders hoping to hang around.
Buffalo Sabres @ Winnipeg Jets– Both statistically alive but odds are against them.
Ottawa Senators @ Tampa Bay Lightning – Sens look to stop the bleeding.
Fun fact: Ovechkin has nine points in his last four games and has registered a point in 11 of his last 12 games. Still think the Russian forward isn’t elite?
WESTERN CONFERENCE
If the season ended today…
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS (1) vs. DETROIT RED WINGS (8)
ANAHEIM DUCKS (2) vs. ST. LOUIS BLUES (7)
VANCOUVER CANUCKS (3) vs. MINNESOTA WILD (6)
LOS ANGELES KINGS (4) vs. SAN JOSE SHARKS (5)
Who’s already clinched? Chicago Blackhawks.
Who can clinch tonight? Anaheim clinches a playoff spot if the Kings beat Dallas.
WHO CAN CLINCH TODAY? Anaheim Ducks (idle) would clinch a Western Conference playoff berth if Los Angeles defeats Dallas in any fashion.
— Kerry McGovern (@NHLKerry) April 9, 2013
What’d I miss? Ryan Kesler returned and helped the Canucks gain a needed two points over the ninth-place Coyotes. With the win, Vancouver moved four points ahead of Minnesota in the Northwest Division. If the Canucks hold on to win the division, it looks like they’ll finish as the No. 3 seed as the Ducks moved nine points ahead of Vancouver with a 2-1 win over Edmonton in a game where Anaheim got their revenge over Justin Schultz.
Tuesday’s game to watch: Chicago Blackhawks vs. Minnesota Wild. The Wild have a game in hand over the Canucks and must take advantage with the first-place Blackhawks in town. The Wild have been stellar at home this season (13-4-1), but Chicago has the best road record in (15-2-2) the league and will provide a playoff-like test for Mike Yeo’s team. Time for Zach Parise to earn that paycheque.
Tonight’s sked:
San Jose Sharks @ Columbus Blue Jackets – Can Gaborik keep slim playoff dreams alive?
St. Louis Blues @ Nashville Predators – Blues look for fifth straight win to solidify playoff hopes.
Los Angeles Kings @ Dallas Stars – Dallas just four points out of eighth with game in hand.
Fun fact: As the playoff picture currently stands, all Original Six teams will face off in the opening round of the playoffs. A Detroit-Chicago first-round match-up would provide a major ratings opportunity in the U.S.
