The race for the NHL playoffs is heating up in the Eastern Conference, with teams battling it out for those coveted spots. With just 15 to 17 games left in the regular season, every point matters as the playoff picture starts to take shape.
In the Atlantic Division, the Florida Panthers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Tampa Bay Lightning have all but secured their spots. Over in the Metro Division, the Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes are in a strong position. The New Jersey Devils are on the rise, riding a three-game winning streak to potentially clinch a spot.
The Ottawa Senators currently hold the first wild card spot, with a comfortable lead of 75 points and 26 regulation wins. But the competition is fierce behind them. The Columbus Blue Jackets are technically in the second wild card spot, edging out the New York Rangers by virtue of fewer games played. The Montreal Canadiens, Detroit Red Wings, and Boston Bruins are all within striking distance.
As the season winds down, every game becomes crucial, particularly for those fighting for a playoff berth. Four of the five teams in contention will be in action on Saturday, with matchups that could potentially shift the standings. From the Bruins facing off against the Lightning to the Canadiens hosting the Panthers, the night is filled with playoff implications.
For those teams eyeing the Senators, all eyes will be on the Maple Leafs as they take on Ottawa. It’s a night tailor-made for hockey fans, with multiple games to follow across various streaming platforms. The excitement is palpable as the race for the playoffs intensifies.
With the regular season set to conclude on April 17, there’s still plenty of hockey left to play. As teams jockey for position, every win and loss could make a significant impact on their playoff chances. Stay tuned as we keep track of all the action in the NHL playoff watch.
Current Playoff Matchups
In the Eastern Conference:
– Florida Panthers vs. Ottawa Senators
– Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
– Washington Capitals vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
– Carolina Hurricanes vs. New Jersey Devils
In the Western Conference:
– Winnipeg Jets vs. Calgary Flames
– Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche
– Vegas Golden Knights vs. Minnesota Wild
– Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings
Today’s Schedule
Notable games for Saturday include:
– Vegas Golden Knights at Buffalo Sabres
– New Jersey Devils at Pittsburgh Penguins
– Washington Capitals at San Jose Sharks
– Tampa Bay Lightning at Boston Bruins
– Ottawa Senators at Toronto Maple Leafs
– Florida Panthers at Montreal Canadiens
– Carolina Hurricanes at Philadelphia Flyers
– New York Rangers at Columbus Blue Jackets
– St. Louis Blues at Minnesota Wild
– Nashville Predators at Los Angeles Kings
– Chicago Blackhawks at Vancouver Canucks
Friday’s action saw some exciting matchups, with the Carolina Hurricanes, Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets, Colorado Avalanche, and Anaheim Ducks all securing wins.
The playoff race is heating up as teams fight for their spot in the postseason. Stay tuned for more updates as the season progresses.
