The NHL Playoff Push is our daily look back and ahead at the post-season picture as teams position themselves for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
If the season ended today…
(A1) vs. 
(WC2)
(M1) vs. 
(WC1)
(A2) vs. 
(A3)
(M2) vs. 
(M3)
Note: The NHL changed the playoff format last season. Click here for full details.
Series we’d love to see: Montreal Canadiens vs. Boston Bruins — Great Original Six rivalry. Tuukka Rask vs. Carey Price. Milan Lucic. What more do we need to say?
What’d I miss? The Senators Hamburgled their way to a win over the Maple Leafs to pull within one point of the Bruins, although Boston does hold the tiebreaker…Carey Price did nothing to dissuade the notion he’s actually a robot as he earned his ninth shutout of the season…Roberto Luongo stood tall in a shootout as his Panthers edged the Bruins…The Capitals were shut out by the streaking Jets…Mats Zuccarello helped the Rangers earn an extra point in the shootout as their now two points back of the Canadiens and Ducks for the NHL lead…The Islanders blanked the Devils to pull away from the Penguins in the Metro…
Sunday’s game to watch: Boston Bruins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning: Plenty on the line for both teams in this one, but there’s more pressure on the Bruins. While Tampa is trying to keep pace with the Canadiens for the Atlantic Division lead — they’ve all but mathematically clinched a home playoff game — the Bruins are fighting for their post-season lives. They extended their losing streak Saturday against the Panthers and are now only one point up on the Senators. Lightning goalie Ben Bishop has gone 17-5-2 since Jan 4 and was stellar in a 3-1 win over the Red Wings Friday, but he’s 0-3-2 in his career against the Bruins.
The rest of tonight’s sked:
– Blues vs. Red Wings: Detroit has been inconsistent in March.
– Ducks vs. Rangers: The Blue Shirts can take the lead in the Presidents’ Trophy list with a win.
Fun fact: The Toronto Maple Leafs haven’t held a lead in 348:58 of action.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
If the season ended today…
(P1) vs. 
(WC2)
(C1) vs. 
(WC1)
(C2) vs. 
(C3)
(P2) vs. 
(P3)
Series we’d love to see: Anaheim Ducks vs. Winnipeg Jets: These two franchises have never met in the playoffs. Both are deep teams getting great goaltending from unheralded goaltenders. The sound bites from entertaining coaches Paul Maurice and Bruce Boudreau would be awesome.
What’d I miss? The Canucks stomped on the Kings 4-1…The Wild doubled up the Blue 6-3…The Jets picked up their fourth straight win…The Flames only mustered one point against the Blue Jackets…The Predators ended a two-game skid…The Sharks ran into Carey Price…The Blackhawks had a four-game winning streak snapped…
Sunday’s game to watch: Vancouver Canucks vs. Arizona Coyotes: Two meetings between these squads this season have been blowouts. The Coyotes won 5-0 in November (they also won 3-2 in a shootout earlier this month) and the Canucks won 7-1 in December. Fans can check this game out on City TV for Hometown Hockey.
The rest of tonight’s sked:
– Blues vs. Red Wings: Blues were embarrassed Saturday afternoon.
– Ducks vs. Rangers: The Ducks have gone to OT in their last two games.
Fun fact: The Jets have allowed only three power-play goals in their last 12 games.
