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…
(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: New York Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins: John Tavares. Sidney Crosby. Need we say more? The New York Islanders’ exciting style of play has them looking like a true contender in the East this season. Match them up with a perpetually-good Penguins squad, and you’ve got what could be a thrilling, star-studded series.
What’d I miss? The Washington Capitals defeated the Buffalo Sabres, though not as easily as you’d think. The game was settled in a shootout, with Kuznetsov netting the winner. The dramatic win gives the Capitals a little extra cushion in the wild-card race, as they are now four points up on Boston. There’s never a shortage of drama when the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens meet, and Monday’s heated matchup was no exception. The Lightning remained undefeated versus the Canadiens this season with a 4-2 win over their division rival. The teams are now at 93 points apiece, though Montreal still has one game in hand.
Tuesday’s game to watch: Montreal Canadiens vs. Florida Panthers: After Monday’s loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning saw the Atlantic division’s top two teams tied in the standings, the Montreal Canadiens will look separate themselves once again. The Canadiens are coming off six losses in their past eight games and need to recover quickly. Florida still trails Boston by six points and could have Roberto Luongo back in net after the veteran goaltender skated on Sunday. He is listed as day-to-day.
The rest of Tuesday’s sked:
– Penguins vs. Devils: The Penguins will look to recover from Sunday’s dismal loss to the Detroit Red Wings.
– Senators vs. Hurricanes: Ottawa is still five points away from a wildcard spot, so the red-hot Senators need all the wins they can get.
– Sabres vs. Bruins: Boston will look to capitalize on what should be an easy two points against the lowly Sabres.
-Islanders vs. Blackhawks: After losing three in a row (and just barely topping the Toronto Maple Leafs), the Islanders almost need this win more for their self-esteem than for the two points.
Fun fact: The Senators have accumulated an 11-1-1 in its past 13 games.
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: Vancouver Canucks vs. Calgary Flames: An all-Canadian matchup? Yes please! The Canucks seem to have bounced back nicely after a not-so-hot season last year. As for the Flames, bouncing back is what they do best. The Flames have exceeded all expectations in climbing their way into the playoff picture, and if they continue their pesky-Flames ways, the nation would be in for a real Canadian treat.
What’d I miss? The Los Angeles Kings topped the McDavid-seeking Arizona Coyotes in a one-goal game, and in doing so, they grasped those two points they so badly needed to snatch the West’s second wild-card spot from the Winnipeg Jets–for now, anyway.
Tuesday’s game to watch: Minnesota Wild vs. Nashville Predators: The seemingly invincible Nashville Predators showed weakness with their recent six-game skid, which kicked off Feb. 26 against none other than the Minnesota Wild. No doubt the Wild, holding onto the West’s first wild-card spot thanks largely to solid goaltending from Devan Dubnyk, will look to trip them up again.
The rest of Tuesday’s sked:
– Sharks vs. Jets: The Jets just lost their wild-card spot to the Kings, so they’re looking to take it back before the Kings get too comfortable.
-Islanders vs. Blackhawks: Chicago is closing in on Nashville, St. Louis with a 6-1-1 record in their past eight games.
-Blues vs. Flames: Flames open crucial five-game homestand against a St. Louis team that is 11-2-1 away from home the past 14 games.
-Flyers vs. Canucks: The Canucks will celebrate former coach Pat Quinn on Tuesday. Quinn started his NHL coaching career with the Flyers.
Fun fact: Calgry’s Mikael Backlund is on an eight-game point streak. He has 21 points in his last 28 games.
