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. DETROIT RED WINGS
PITTSBURGH PENGUINS vs. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
MONTREAL CANADIENS vs. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
NEW YORK RANGERS vs. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
Who’s already clinched? Boston Bruins
Who can clinch tonight? Boston has already clinched a spot in the playoffs but they can win the Atlantic Division and secure a top-two spot in the East with a win over Chicago in any fashion and a Tampa Bay loss to the Islanders. The Bruins can also win the division with one point against Chicago combined with a Tampa loss in regulation. In a simpler scenario, Pittsburgh can lock up a playoff spot with a point against the Kings.
What’d I miss? In the lone Eastern Conference contest of the night, the New York Rangers extended their lead for second place in the Metropolitan Division with a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. Dominic Moore, Ryan McDonagh and Derek Dorsett scored, while Henrik Lundqvist made 30 saves to help New York win its fifth straight game. The victory moved the Rangers three points ahead of the Flyers, but Philadelphia still has two games in hand. It sure looks like these two will face off in the first round of the playoffs.
Thursday’s game to watch: Montreal Canadiens @ Detroit Red Wings — This is a must-win game for the Red Wings after a critical 4-2 loss to the Blue Jackets on Tuesday. Detroit still enters the night in the second wild card spot, but is tied in points (80) with Columbus, Toronto and Washington. The Wings are hoping to get healthier down the stretch as Tomas Jurco is likely to suit up Thursday and Pavel Datsyuk is inching closer to return. They’ll have a tough test as the Canadiens have been hitting their stride as of late with three wins in a row. The Habs have jumped past the Lightning for the second spot in the Atlantic but have two fewer games to play than Tampa Bay. This is the first contest in a four-game road swing for Montreal.
Fun fact: McDonagh’s 14 goals are the most by a Rangers defenceman since Brian Leetch (21 goals) in 2000-01.
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, Anaheim Ducks
Who can clinch tonight? Chicago can return to the post-season with at least one point against the Bruins or a Phoenix loss to the New Jersey Devils. Colorado can also clinch a playoff spot with a win over Vancouver in any fashion combined with a Phoenix loss.
What’d I miss? The Vancouver Canucks thrust themselves back into the wild card race with a 5-2 road victory in Minnesota. David Booth scored two goals while Eddie Lack made 29 saves in a game in which the Canucks were outshot 31-19. Sound familiar, Leafs fans? The win moved Vancouver within four points of the second wild card spot. The Canucks will need help, as Phoenix and Dallas both have games in hand. Even with the loss, Minnesota still sits comfortably in a playoff spot. In the Pacific, Anaheim continued to gain ground on San Jose with a 3-2 win in Calgary. Andrew Cogliano scored the game-winner after the Ducks rallied back in the third period. Anaheim is just two points back of first-place San Jose with two games in hand..
Thursday’s game to watch: Vancouver Canucks @ Colorado Avalanche — Can Vancouver continue its unlikely playoff push? The Canucks have quietly won three straight and are within range for the final wild card spot. Vancouver is making its lone trip to Colorado, before finishing the year with six of its final seven at home. The Avalanche are fighting with Chicago for home-ice advantage in the the Central Division. They are 5-4-0 in their past 10 games and are just three points behind the defending Cup champs with a game in hand. Semyon Varlamov is expected to get the start in net for the Avs.
Fun fact: The Kings are one consecutive road win shy of tying their franchise record (eight, 1974-75).
The rest of tonight’s sked:
Chicago @ Boston: Blackhawks return to TD Garden for first time since lifting the Stanley Cup.
Los Angeles @ Pittsburgh: Kings seek eighth-straight road win against Malkin-less Penguins.
Minnesota @ St. Louis: Stumbling WIld (3-3-4 in last 10) will be in tough against the West’s best.
Phoenix @ New Jersey: Phoenix cannot afford a loss with Dallas and Vancouver closing in.
Winnipeg @ San Jose: Needing points to hold off Anaheim, the Sharks are 7-1-2 in their past 10.
N.Y. Islanders @ Tampa Bay: Will the Islanders play the role of playoff spoiler?
Carolina @ Florida: Carolina and Florida are closer to the lottery than the playoffs.
Buffalo @ Nashville: Surprising stat: The Preds have only scored five fewer goals this season than L.A.
