Preview Roundups
April 07, 2018
NY Rangers at Philadelphia 3:00 PM ET
A number of paths exist for the Philadelphia Flyers to capture a postseason berth, but the most direct route could come on Saturday afternoon in the form of securing at least one point against the visiting New York Rangers. The Flyers, who hold a four-point lead over Florida for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, could still punch their ticket should the Panthers fail to win either of their final two games.
Chicago at Winnipeg 7:00 PM ET
The Winnipeg Jets now know their playoff seeding and opponent as the franchise wraps up the regular season Saturday at home against the Chicago Blackhawks, but there is one more order of business before the postseason begins. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who is 43-11-9 during his breakout season, will get the start and a victory will move him past Tom Barrasso for most victories in a season by a U.S.-born goaltender.
Ottawa at Boston 7:00 PM ET
The Boston Bruins made a late charge for first place in the Atlantic Division thanks to a nine-game point streak (5-0-4), but they came up empty on their two-game trip to the Sunshine State this week. Boston hopes to still have a shot at the division crown when they host the Ottawa Senators on Saturday.
Montreal at Toronto 7:00 PM ET
How the tables have turned in the rivalry between the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs, who will wrap up the regular season Saturday night at Toronto's Air Canada Centre. Headed toward the playoffs as the third-place team in the Atlantic Division, the Maple Leafs will aim to complete a season sweep of Montreal for the first time since 1992-93.
NY Islanders at Detroit 7:00 PM ET
Captain John Tavares could be suiting up in a New York Islanders' uniform for the final time on Saturday night as the team visits the Detroit Red Wings in the season finale for both clubs. Tavares, who will be an unrestricted free agent on July 1, has a team high-tying 83 points this season and 620 since being selected by New York with the top overall pick of the 2009 NHL Draft.
Buffalo at Florida 7:00 PM ET
The Florida Panthers enter the final weekend of the regular season still alive in the playoff race, but they could be eliminated before Saturday night’s matchup against the visiting Buffalo Sabres. The Panthers need Philadelphia to lose to the New York Rangers in regulation on Saturday afternoon before they record victories in their final two games in order to reach the postseason for the second time in three years.
New Jersey at Washington 7:00 PM ET
The New Jersey Devils clinched their first playoff berth since losing in the 2011-12 Stanley Cup finals last time out and look to improve their seeding when they visit the Metropolitan Division champion Washington Capitals on Saturday night. The Devils are 7-0-1 in their last eight games after edging Toronto 2-1 on Thursday and could match up against the Capitals in the first round.
Tampa Bay at Carolina 7:00 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Lightning can clinch the Atlantic Division title with a victory in regulation or overtime when they visit the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday in the regular-season finale for both teams. The Lightning lead Boston by two points and own the tiebreaker but almost lost control of their own destiny on Friday before rallying for three third-period goals en route to a 7-5 victory over NHL-worst Buffalo, as Yanni Gourde and Alex Killorn recorded three points apiece.
Columbus at Nashville 8:00 PM ET
The Columbus Blue Jackets are in the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time in franchise history, but they still don't know who their first-round opponent will be entering Saturday's regular-season finale against the Nashville Predators. One thing is certain for Columbus - a victory over the NHL-best Predators will set up a first-round series versus Pittsburgh.
Anaheim at Arizona 9:00 PM ET
The Anaheim Ducks hope to end the regular season with a five-game winning streak - and second place in the Pacific Division - when they visit the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday. Anaheim, which is 9-1-1 in its last 11 games, topped Dallas 5-3 on Friday for its fourth straight victory and pulled within one point of San Jose for home ice in the first round of the playoffs.
St. Louis at Colorado 9:00 PM ET
The Colorado Avalanche try to go from the NHL’s worst team in 2016-17 to the postseason when they host the St. Louis Blues on Saturday in a showdown for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference. Colorado trails the Blues by one point and needs a regulation win to clinch the second wild-card spot after St. Louis knocked off Chicago 4-1 on Friday.
Vegas at Calgary 10:00 PM ET
The Calgary Flames entered the 2017-18 season with high hopes, surely expecting to wind up in the playoffs and certainly not thinking they would be looking up at expansion Vegas in the standings. Instead, the Flames are limping to the finish line and will try to avoid a 10th loss in 11 games when they host the Pacific champion Golden Knights in Saturday's regular-season finale.
Vancouver at Edmonton 10:00 PM ET
The curtain closes on a pair of remarkable careers as the Sedin twins - Daniel and Henrik - play their final game when the Vancouver Canucks visit the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday. The Sedins provided the Vancouver faithful with a lasting memory when Daniel scored twice, including the winner in overtime, and Henrik assisted on both as the Canucks defeated Arizona 4-3 on Thursday at an emotion-filled Rogers Arena.
Dallas at Los Angeles 10:30 PM ET
Second place in the Pacific Division and home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs still are within reach for the Los Angeles Kings as they conclude the regular season Saturday against the visiting Dallas Stars. The Kings will need help to achieve their goal, however, as they look to complete a perfect three-game homestand.
Minnesota at San Jose 10:30 PM ET
The San Jose Sharks can wrap up home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs on Saturday when they host the Minnesota Wild in the regular-season finale for both teams. The Sharks, who are fending off Los Angeles and Anaheim for second place in the Pacific, will face one of the California clubs in the first round while Minnesota will tangle with Central Division rival Winnipeg.