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. OTTAWA SENATORS (7)
WASHINGTON CAPITALS (3) vs. NEW YORK ISLANDERS (6)
MONTREAL CANADIENS (4) vs. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (5)
Who’s already clinched? Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins, Washington Capitals, Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators
Who can clinch tonight? No one. All eight spots in the East have been clinched.
What’d I miss? The Islanders wrapped up their regular season with a shootout loss in what could be Ryan Miller’s final game in Buffalo. Head coach Jack Capuano’s club were hoping for two points to avoid a possible first-round match-up with Pittsburgh, but were only able to come up with one. Now they’ll need some help as they sit in sixth place heading into the final weekend of the season, but lead the Senators (who have two games in hand) and Rangers by just one point. All they can do now is sit and watch and hope for the best.
Saturday’s game to watch: Montreal Canadiens vs. Toronto Maple Leafs – Obviously the final Saturday night comes down to Montreal-Toronto. It is an especially meaningful game for the Habs who remain in the thick of the Northeast Division race as Montreal needs two points to have any chance of winning the division (although Boston still has two games left). A Leafs’ win would guarantee a first-round match-up between the clubs, so there is a ton on the line in this one. The two teams haven’t played in the post-season in over 30 years.
Tonight’s sked:
–Boston vs. Washington: Bruins close in on Northeast title and No. 2 seed with win
–Philadelphia vs. Ottawa: Erik Karlsson looks to build off strong performance
–New Jersey vs. New York Rangers: Rangers need two points to pass Islanders
–Florida vs. Tampa Bay: Don’t worry, golf season starts tomorrow.
–Carolina vs. Pittsburgh: Jordan Staal sees what a playoff team looks like
Fun fact: The Penguins have never beaten the Islanders in a playoff series as New York has won all three times the two teams have faced off in the post-season. At least they got some history on their side, I guess.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
If the season ended today…
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS (1) vs. MINNESOTA WILD (8)
ANAHEIM DUCKS (2) vs. DETROIT RED WINGS (7)
VANCOUVER CANUCKS (3) vs. SAN JOSE SHARKS (6)
ST. LOUIS BLUES (4) vs. LOS ANGELES KINGS (5)
Who’s already clinched? Chicago Blackhawks, Anaheim Ducks, Vancouver Canucks, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues.
Who can clinch tonight? Three teams remain in the Western Conference race heading into the final Saturday. Detroit and Minnesota control their own destiny and will secure post-season berths with victories while ninth-place Columbus can still clinch with a win and a regulation loss by either the Red Wings or Wild. Should be a fun night.
What’d I miss? Everything appeared set up for the Wild. Minnesota had the opportunity to clinch on home ice but instead decided to put up one of their worst showings of the season as the Wild were run out of their own building by the lowly Oilers in an ugly 6-1 loss. Niklas Backstrom was pulled early but is still expecting to start vs. Colorado on Saturday. The defeat left Minnesota in a tie with Columbus heading into its final game, but luckily for them, the Wild still hold the tiebreaker.
Saturday’s game to watch: San Jose Sharks vs. Los Angeles – The defending Stanley Cup champions appeared destined for an in-state first-round match-up with San Jose, but the Western standings remain unsettled heading into the final night. San Jose remains tied with Los Angeles (who hold the tiebreaker), with the Blues leading both by one point. So all three clubs are fighting for the No. 4 spot heading into the post-season and this game will have major implications if St. Louis is unable to defeat the first-place Blackhawks.
Tonight’s sked:
–Nashville vs. Columbus: Blue Jackets need two points and some help
–Detroit vs. Dallas: Win and you’re in for the Red Wings
–Minnesota vs. Colorado: Can Wild improve from Friday’s ugly effort?
–Chicago vs. St Louis: Blues lock up fourth seed with home victory
–Vancouver vs. Edmonton: Tune-up game as the Canucks wait to see their first-round opponent
–Phoenix vs. Anaheim: The Ducks likely rest up before the real games begin.
Fun fact: If Columbus qualifies for the post-season, it means that five of the six teams that picked in the top-six of last year’s NHL Draft will make the playoffs this season. Crazy turnarounds in this shortened season.
