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.
Who can clinch tonight? Boston can clinch a playoff position with a point vs. the Islanders or a Jets’ loss to Florida. Montreal can clinch as well with a win over Buffalo or in the event they get a point and Florida beats Winnipeg.
What’d I miss? The Bruins almost blew a 4-0 lead but recovered to win a wild one in New Jersey to jump past the Montreal Canadiens in the Northeast standings. Across the bridge, the Rangers overcame a strong effort from Phil Kessel to beat the Leafs in a shootout at Madison Square Garden. With the win, the Rangers now have the same amount of points as the Islanders and Senators.
Thursday’s game to watch: New York Islanders vs. Boston Bruins – This could be a possible playoff preview, with the Islanders and Bruins currently slated to face off in the first round. The Bruins are looking to build off a key win Wednesday night with Montreal right on their heels in the division. The Isles are 7-1-1 in their last nine and are looking to make the postseason for the first time since the days of Doobie in 2006-07.
Tonight’s sked:
Ottawa vs. Philadelphia – Senators look to end five-game losing skid
Carolina vs. Washington – Red-hot Caps need win to hold off Jets
Montreal vs. Buffalo – Habs hope to keep up with Bruins in Northeast
Florida vs. Winnipeg – Jets need two points to stay alive in race
Pittsburgh vs. Tampa Bay – Pens still raking up wins without Crosby
Fun fact: If the season ended today, the Leafs and Canadiens would play each other in the postseason for the first time since 1978-79 (damn Kerry Fraser). The two teams have met 15 times in the playoffs.
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? It appears the Ducks have a clinching scenario for the third-straight day. They clinch if San Jose beats Detroit in regulation.
What’d I miss? The Ducks needed just one point to clinch a playoff berth, but instead they were whooped at home by the J.S. Giguere-inspired Avalanche. The Oilers obviously didn’t read our Fun Fact yesterday, as they dropped a criticial contest to the Coyotes, who now sit one point behind the eighth-seed Red Wings. In Vancouver, Roberto Luongo started (despite his sucky contract) and helped the Canucks get a much-needed win over the crumbling Flames.
Thursday’s game to watch: San Jose Sharks vs. Detroit Red Wings – For the last two decades, the Wings have been a playoff staple but are just holding on for their lives in the Western Conference right now. The Wings have lost four of their last six and hold a slight lead over the Coyotes, Blue Jackets, and Stars. A win over San Jose would help separate them in a cluttered race in the West. San Jose is finally returning to their early-season form with a 7-2-1 record in their last 10.
Tonight’s sked:
St. Louis vs. Minnesota – Blues going for sixth straight win
Colorado vs. Los Angeles – Avs already looking forward to L.A. nightlife
Fun fact: The Red Wings have made the postseason every year since 1989-90. Nicklas Lidstrom didn’t play that season, but the team has been noticeably different without the Swedish defenceman on the roster.
