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)
MONTREAL CANADIENS (2) vs. NEW YORK ISLANDERS (7)
WASHINGTON CAPITALS (3) vs. OTTAWA SENATORS (6)
BOSTON BRUINS (4) vs. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (5)
Who’s already clinched? Pittsburgh Penguins, Montreal Canadiens.
Who can clinch tonight? No one.
What’d I miss? So much for the Leafs-Habs first-round series (thanks, Chris Johnston), as Montreal regained its division lead and clinched a playoff berth with a win over Buffalo. Boston couldn’t keep pace and fell to the surging Islanders, while Ottawa ended a five-game losing skid with a critical road win in Philadelphia. The Caps maintained their lead over the Jets in the Southeast with their sixth straight win, but Winnipeg stayed alive in the playoff race with a beatdown of the lowly Panthers.
Thursday’s game to watch: Ottawa Senators vs. New Jersey Devils – The Sens need momentum down the stretch after picking up a much-needed win Thursday. They are tied with the Islanders in points and are just two points up on the Rangers and Jets. The Devils, on the other hand, are sliding at the worst possible time and have just two regulation wins in their past 10 games. If they don’t get hot to finish the year, the Devils could miss the playoffs for just the third time in Martin Brodeur’s remarkable career.
Tonight’s sked: No other games in the East.
Fun fact: The Islanders (8-1-1 in their last 10) were the first team to beat Boston at home since Mar. 3. Who needs Brooklyn after all?
WESTERN CONFERENCE
If the season ended today…
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS (1) vs. DETROIT RED WINGS (8)
ANAHEIM DUCKS (2) vs. MINNESOTA WILD (7)
VANCOUVER CANUCKS (3) vs. ST. LOUIS BLUES (6)
LOS ANGELES KINGS (4) vs. SAN JOSE SHARKS (5)
Who’s already clinched? Chicago Blackhawks.
Who can clinch tonight? Anaheim Ducks: They clinch playoff berth if Nashville beats Dallas in any fashion or if Chicago defeats the Red Wings. Chicago can clinch the Central Division title if they beat the Red Wings and the Blue Jackets beat the Blues. If they earn just one point, they can still clinch if Columbus beats St Louis.
What’d I miss? The Red Wings continued their home struggles (1-3-2 in their last six at Joe Louis Arena) with a shootout loss to the red-hot Sharks. Without a regulation win by San Jose, the idle Ducks were unable to clinch a playoff spot for the third consecutive day. Brian Elliot continued his dominant play with his third shutout in a row while the Kings edged out the raging Avs in a shootout. Almost time for Vegas!
Thursday’s game to watch: Detroit Red Wings vs. Chicago Blackhawks – In what could be a possible playoff preview, Chicago will start Corey Crawford against a Detroit team that’s hanging on for their lives. The Red Wings have made the playoffs the past 21 years in a row but are not the same team we’ve been accustomed to without Nicklas Lidstrom and Brian Rafalski. Detroit is coming off a tough shootout loss and will need all the energy they can muster to keep up with the first-place Blackhawks.
Tonight’s sked:
St. Louis vs. Columbus – Blues look for seventh straight win
Dallas vs. Nashville – Stars in desperate need of win to keep up with Wings, Coyotes
Phoenix vs. Calgary – Coyotes just two points out of playoff spot
Fun fact: The Blues’ Brian Elliott has not allowed a goal in 189:31. Goalies love Ken Hitchcock.