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 RANGERS (8)
BOSTON BRUINS (2) vs. NEW YORK ISLANDERS (7)
WASHINGTON CAPITALS (3) vs. OTTAWA SENATORS (6)
MONTREAL CANADIENS (4) vs. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (5)
Who’s already clinched? Pittsburgh Penguins, Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins.
Who can clinch tonight? As was the case on Tuesday, the Toronto Maple Leafs can clinch a playoff spot with a win coupled with a Winnipeg Jets loss.
What’d I miss? The Bruins locked up a playoff spot in an emotional outing against the Buffalo Sabres. It was the first major sporting event in Boston since the tragic bombings that rocked the city at the Boston Marathon Monday.
The energy pre-game was palpable. A moving opening ceremony was followed by the fans belting out the Star Spangled Banner in unison. Although the Bruins didn’t get the win, they picked up one point in a shootout loss, which is all they needed to clinch.
The Canadiens continued to struggle in a 6-4 loss to the Penguins. The Habs have lost three in a row and four of their last five. They now sit fourth in the East after being leapfrogged by the Bruins.
Wednesday’s game to watch:
New York Islanders vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
The Leafs and Islanders have been two of the hottest teams in the league of late, both winning seven of their last 10 games.
Despite coming off a 5-1 drubbing to the Caps in Washington, the Leafs are in a prime position to make the postseason. There is even a chance for home ice advantage if they can catch either Boston or Montreal, who are each just four points ahead.
The Islanders often play well on the road against the Leafs as many of their top forwards – John Tavares, Brad Boyes and Matt Moulson — are from the Greater Toronto Area. In a 7-4 win over the Leafs earlier this season, this trio combined for seven points.
Tonight’s sked:
Washington Capitals vs. Ottawa Senators – Caps are the hottest team in the NHL right now and have the hottest player in Alex Ovechkin. This is a potential first-round matchup, so expect both teams to play with high intensity and send a message. Fans can watch this game on Sportsnet East, with coverage starting at 7 p.m. ET.
Florida Panthers vs. New York Rangers – The Rangers are fighting for a win to ensure they’ll remain in the eighth spot in the East at least for another day. Meanwhile, the only things the Panthers are fighting for is pride and better odds to get the first-overall pick in the upcoming NHL Draft.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens – Tampa is all but mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, and the Canadiens need to regain some momentum before the postseason. A win tonight can aid in that.
New Jersey Devils vs. Philadelphia Flyers – Both teams have faint – very faint – playoff hopes so they’ll come out skating like their seasons depend on it. The Devils haven’t won since March 23.
Caronlina Hurricanes vs. Winnipeg Jets – The Jets have won four straight and could potentially leapfrog the Rangers this evening.
Fun fact: Penguins defenceman Douglas Murray ended his goal-scoring drought at 146 regular season games Wednesday night after scoring in the Pens’ 6-4 win. Murray’s streak was the longest in the NHL at the time. Now the current longest streak is 140 games, held by Sabres tough guy John Scott.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
If the season ended today…
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS (1) vs. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS (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, Anaheim Ducks.
Who can clinch tonight? The Vancouver Canucks can clinch if they beat the Dallas Stars in any fashion.
What’d I miss? The Columbus Blue Jackets pulled ahead of the Detroit Red Wings for the eighth spot in the West.
The Blue Jackets edged the Ducks in overtime, while the Red Wings missed out on an opportunity to pick up two points and take advantage of the lowly Calgary Flames, losing 3-2 in regulation on the road.
Wednesday’s game to watch:
Vancouver Canucks vs. Dallas Stars
A lot is on the line for both teams Thursday. With a win, the Canucks will clinch a playoff spot and keep the Minnesota Wild at bay in the race for top spot in the Northwest Division.
The Stars have one game in hand on the Red Wings and two games in hand on the Blue Jackets and are firmly in the race for the final spot in the West. To the surprise of many, the Stars have played some of their best hockey after trading away the likes of Jaromir Jagr, Derek Roy and Michael Ryder. Fans can watch this game on Sportsnet Pacific with coverage starting at 5 p.m. PT.
Tonight’s sked:
Phoenix Coyotes vs. St. Louis Blues – The Blues control their own destiny, but a loss would clump them in with the Blue Jackets, Red Wings and Stars in a race they certainly want to distance themselves from.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Los Angeles Kings – The surging Blue Jackets look for their sixth straight win, while the Kings look to remain in a position to host a first-round matchup.
Minnesota Wild vs. San Jose Sharks – A Wild regulation win would move them one spot ahead of the Sharks for fifth in the West.
Fun fact: In their over 12-year history, the Blue Jackets have never finished within 20 points of the Red Wings in the regular season standings.
