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. 
(WC1)
(M1) vs. 
(WC2)
(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: Washington Capitals vs. New York Islanders – Two of the highest-scoring teams in the NHL trading scoring chances in a seven-game series? We can deal with that.
What’d I miss? Make that back-to-back shootout losses for the Canadiens as they fell 3-2 to the Devils just 24 hours after losing to the Capitals in the same manner. They did earn a consolation point, which keeps them two points ahead of the Lightning with both teams having three games remaining.
Saturday’s game to watch: Washington Capitals vs. Ottawa Senators (on Sportsnet at 7 p.m. EST) – Alex Ovechkin, coming off a terrific showing against the Canadiens Thursday, has 20 goals, 17 assists in 33 career games against the Senators. The Capitals’ recent run of success has them in position to host a first-round divisional series. Masterton Trophy nominee Andrew Hammond hopes to snap the Caps’ winning streak while extending his own. Washington has a chance to sweep the season series, something the Sens did to the Caps in 2013-14.
The rest of Saturday’s sked:
– Penguins vs. Blue Jackets (on Sportsnet 360 at 2 p.m. EST): Pittsburgh is in a rut, while Columbus is the hottest team in the league.
– Red Wings vs. Wild (on City TV at 7 p.m. EST): A Detroit loss could bump them to a wild card spot.
– Maple Leafs vs. Bruins (on CBC at 7 p.m. EST): Boston could potentially leapfrog the Red Wings.
– Lightning vs. Panthers: Can Jagr and the Panthers keep the dream alive?
– Devils vs. Rangers: The Rangers just need to stay fresh and healthy at this point.
– Sabres vs. Islanders: The Isles are fighting for home ice and can clinch a playoff berth if they defeat the Sabres and the Senators lose in regulation.
Fun fact: The New York Rangers win 66.7 percent of the games in which they are outshot. That’s the best percentage in the league.
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: St. Louis Blues vs. Chicago Blackhawks. Why? Because we love great hockey, that’s why.
What’d I miss? Jonathan Toews led the Blackhawks to a fourth straight victory as they subdued the Sabres 4-3 on the road…The Blues battled back to win a 7-5 barnburner against the Stars…Reto Berra backstopped the Avalanche to a 4-2 win against the NHL-leading Anaheim Ducks.
Saturday’s game to watch: Vancouver Canucks vs. Winnipeg Jets (on Sportsnet Pacific at 3 p.m. EST) – We’ll see how the Jets respond without Dustin Byfuglien, who will serve the first game of his four-game suspension. The Jets went 6-3 in March during the nine games in which Byfuglien sat out with an injury. One of the three losses they suffered was a 5-2 defeat at the hands of the Canucks. A trip to the playoffs is also at stake for the Canucks, who would clinch a playoff berth if they defeat the Jets in regulation, and either the Flames lose in any fashion or the Kings lose in regulation. The Canucks would clinch a playoff berth if they defeat the Jets in overtime, and the Flames lose in any fashion and the Kings lose in regulation, or if they defeat the Jets in a shootout and both the Flames and Kings lose in regulation.
The rest of Saturday’s sked:
– Red Wings vs. Wild (on City TV at 7 p.m. EST): Minnesota has history struggled to contain Henrik Zetterberg (37 points in 37 games against the Wild).
– Stars vs. Predators: Nashville is feeling the heat in the form of the Blues and Blackhawks.
– Avalanche vs. Kings (on Sportsnet at 10 p.m. EST): The Kings have owned the Avs this year.
– Oilers vs. Flames (on CBC at 10 p.m. EST): A win would be massive for Calgary and it would give them a clean 5-0 sweep of the this season’s Battle of Alberta.
Fun fact: Jiri Hudler has 27 points in 25 games against division rivals this season, better than any other Western Conference skater.
