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.
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 — For one, who doesn’t want to see Winnipeg back in the playoffs? Plus, seeing the scrappy Jets face off against Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry would make for thrilling television.
What’d I miss? An Anaheim victory would’ve secured home ice advantage throughout the playoffs but the Ducks came out flat in a 4-0 loss to the Stars. Jamie Benn had three assists while Jhonas Enroth recorded his fifth career shutout. Anaheim rested forward Ryan Getzlaf for the second straight game.
Thursday’s game to watch: Los Angeles Kings vs. Calgary Flames (live on Sportsnet at 9 p.m. ET): Los Angeles’ season is on the line while Calgary looks to secure their first playoff berth since 2009. If the Kings lose to the Flames in regulation, they will become the first defending champion since the 2006-07 Carolina Hurricanes to miss the Stanley Cup Playoffs the following season. Does it get bigger than this?!
More: Mark Spector tees up Flames-Kings
The rest of Thursday’s sked:
– Winnipeg Jets vs. Colorado Avalanche: Like Calgary, the Jets can secure a post-season berth with a win.
– Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues: Blues, Blackhawks, and Predators battling for position in the Central Division.
– Minnesota Wild vs. Nashville Predators: Wild have clinched a playoff spot. Now they’re hoping to jump Chicago.
– Arizona Coyotes vs. Vancouver Canucks: Vancouver is seeking home-ice in the opening round of the playoffs.
Fun fact: The Jets are now 9-3-0 without Dustin Byfuglien this season.
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.
What’d I miss? The Bruins had an opportunity to put some distance between themselves and the Senators, but were shut out by Braden Holtby in a 3-0 loss to the Capitals…Coming into the game, Boston had won five in a row and they still hold the second wild card position (thanks to a tiebreaker) even though they’re tied with Ottawa with 95 points…With the win, Washington gained some breathing room in the Metropolitan Division. They lead the Islanders by three points, but New York has a game in hand.
Thursday’s game to watch: Ottawa Senators vs. New York Rangers: The Rangers have secured the No. 1 seed, and frankly have nothing to play for, but the importance of this game to Ottawa can’t be understated. They were fortunate that Boston didn’t register a point Wednesday night and the Senators could move into a wild card position Thursday with a win combined with a Bruins’ loss. Ottawa is 21-4-4 since Feb. 10.
The rest of Thursday’s sked:
– Detroit Red Wings vs. Montreal Canadiens: Jimmy Howard is expected to start in net as the Red Wings look to clinch a playoff spot.
– Boston Bruins vs. Florida Panthers: Can the Bruins rebound after an ugly showing Wednesday in Washington?
– New Jersey Devils vs. Tampa Bay Lightning: With four more regulation wins than the Canadiens, the Lightning can still jump past Montreal in the Atlantic.
Fun fact: Ottawa forward Mark Stone is tied for the league-lead with six game-winning goals since Jan. 31.