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.
Update: (3:10 p.m. ET) The Ottawa Senators have clinched a playoff spot after a 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.
What’d I miss? The New York Islanders ensured that they’ll be playing the Washington Capitals in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a 3-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Pittsburgh can now only land a wild card position, that they can lock up with a win over the lowly Sabres on Saturday or a non-regulation loss. New York can still jump past the Capitals, who lead the Islanders by one point with each club having one game left to play. Both teams are in action on Saturday…The Sabres, who don’t have any part in the playoff picture, officially secured last place in the standings. They will be drafting first or second in June.
Saturday’s game to watch: – Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Buffalo Sabres: (7 p.m. on City) With Ottawa claming a wild card, it’s down to Boston and Pittsburgh for the last remaining playoff spot. Here are the scenarios:
The rest of Saturday’s sked:
Update (3:13 p.m. ET): Washington fell 4-2 to the Rangers in an early afternoon game.
– Boston Bruins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning: (7:30 p.m. ET on Sportsnet ONE) The Bruins’ seven-year playoff run is in jeopardy.
– Columbus Blue Jackets vs. New York Islanders: With Washington losing to the Rangers, the Islanders can earn home-ice against the Capitals with a win Saturday.
– Montreal Canadiens vs. Toronto Maple Leafs: (7 p.m. on CBC) Carey Price will start in net as Canadiens look to clinch Atlantic Division title.
– Detroit Red Wings vs. Carolina Hurricanes: (7 p.m. on FX) The Red Wings need one point to assure themselves of third place in the Atlantic Division. If not, that goes to Ottawa.
Fun fact: If the Bruins are eliminated, it’ll mark the first time the defending Stanley Cup champions (Kings) and Presidents’ Trophy winner missed playoffs the following season.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
If the season ended today…
(P1) vs. 
(WC2)
(C1) vs. 
(WC1)
(C2) vs. 
(C3)
(P2) vs. 
(P3)
Update (6:00 p.m. ET): St. Louis beat Minnesota 4-2 Saturday afternoon. That ensures Nashville will play the Blackhawks in the first round while the Wild, who finish in the top wild card position, will play either St. Louis or Anaheim depending on the Ducks’ result on Saturday night.
What’d I miss? Nothing. No Western Conference teams played on Friday.
Saturday’s game to watch:
The rest of Saturday’s sked:
– Nashville Predators vs. Dallas Stars: Nashville is locked in as the Central’s No. 2 seed. They will play either Chicago or Minnesota in round one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
– Chicago Blackhawks vs. Colorado Avalanche: Chicago has nothing to play for after Minnesota fell to the Blues earlier this afternoon.
– Anaheim Ducks vs. Arizona Coyotes: Ducks can clinch the West’s top seed to set up a first-round matchup with Winnipeg with a win in any fashion or a Blues’ regulation loss.
– Edmonton Oilers vs. Vancouver Canucks: The final game of the NHL regular season is meaningless after Calgary fell to Winnipeg in the early afternoon.
Fun fact: Ondrej Pavelec owns the longest shutout streak in Jets’ history at 187:05 minutes.
