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.
Note: The article has been updated after Saturday afternoon’s results.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
If the season ended today…
(M1) vs. 
(WC2)
(A1) 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 — Arguably the best rivalry in hockey, a playoff duel between Carey Price and Tuukka Rask would be must-watch television.
What’d I miss? The Ottawa Senators gained ground in the wild card race. The club moved within five points of the idle Bruins after Andrew Hammond made 34 saves in a 2-1 victory over the Islanders. The Islanders are in danger of falling to third in the Metropolitan. They lead Pittsburgh by only two points, but have played three more games…The Capitals also missed out on a chance to separate from Boston. They fell 4-2 to the Dallas Stars. Braden Holtby was pulled from the first time since October.
Saturday’s game to watch: Montreal Canadiens vs. New York Islanders — The Islanders have lost two in a row, including Friday night against Ottawa, and are just 4-4-2 in their last 10 games. They have lost three straight at home and and host Montreal on the back-end of a back-to-back. The Canadiens are going through a tough stretch as well. They have lost five of their last six games but can take solace that they’re still in first place. Carey Price allowed five unanswered goals on Thursday.
The rest of tonight’s sked:
-Jets vs. Lightning: Lightning have chance to reclaim top spot in the Atlantic.
-Panthers vs. Hurricanes: Panthers can’t afford to lose any more ground in wild card chase.
-Rangers vs. Sabres: Talk about two teams going in opposite directions.
Fun fact: The Red Wings haven’t won a regular season game in Philadelphia since Jan. 25, 1997.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
If the season ended today…
(P1) vs. 
(WC2)
(C1) vs. 
(WC1)
(A2) vs. 
(A3)
(M2) vs. 
(M3)
Series we’d love to see: Anaheim Ducks vs. Los Angeles Kings — This seems too good for a first-round matchup. The California clubs have two of the deepest and most talented rosters in the league.
What’d I miss? The Calgary Flames embarrassed the Toronto Maple Leafs in a 6-3 victory…The Flames jumped past the idle Canucks in the Pacific standings…The Dallas Stars gained ground in the wild card standings but remain five points back of the second wild card spot…Dallas chased Holtby with four goals on 22 shots… Anaheim jumped to the No. 1 seed in the West with a 6-2 victory over the Wild. It’s almost a certainty the Ducks win their division with a 10-point cushion over second-place Calgary.
Saturday’s game to watch: Nashville Predators vs. Los Angeles Kings — Nashville is going through some tough times. They have lost seven of their last eight games and haven’t won in regulation since Feb. 24. They fell out of their top spot in their division earlier this week. On the other hand, L.A. moved back into a playoff position on Thursday. It was their fourth win in their last five games.
The rest of tonight’s sked:
-Wild vs. Blues: Wild have quick turnaround trip to St. Louis after home game on Friday.
-Blachawks vs. Sharks: San Jose has won four of their last five games after a tough start to 2015.
-Maple Leafs vs. Canucks: Vancouver can regain No. 2 seed in their division with win + Flames loss.
Jets vs. Lightning: Tyler Myers not expected to play after suffering injury Thursday.
Flames vs. Avalanche: Flames have tough opponent; Avalanche are 9-4-0 in their last 13 games.
Fun fact: Prior to Friday, Calgary hadn’t scored six or more goals at home since Oct. 17, 1991.
