NHL Playoffs Buzz: Flyers, Senators, Red Wings chasing Blue Jackets for East wild card
Ottawa Senators at Florida Panthers (7 pm ET; SCRIPPS, TSN5, RDS2)
It’s a Tkachuk vs. Tkachuk matchup with Brady of the Senators attempting to get his group into the playoffs whereas Matthew and the two-time Stanley Cup champion Panthers attempt to hold their slim playoff hopes alive. The Senators (38-25-10) are two factors behind the Blue Jackets for the second wild card from the East, with a recreation in hand, and tied in factors (86) with the Red Wings and Flyers. The Panthers have misplaced three video games in a row and 6 of eight (2-6-0) after a 3-1 loss to the New York Rangers on Sunday. The defending two-time Stanley Cup champions will probably be eradicated from playoff competition in the event that they lose to the Senators in regulation or in the event that they get one level towards Ottawa and all the following happen: The Penguins-Red Wings recreation leads to every group incomes a degree; the Islanders defeat the Sabers in any trend; the Blue Jackets get at the very least one level vs. the Hurricanes; the Flyers get at the very least one level vs. the Capitals.
They are 15 factors behind the Blue Jackets for the second wild card within the East.
New Jersey Devils at New York Rangers (7 pm ET; MSGSN, MSG 2)
New Jersey (38-33-2) is coming off a 5-3 win towards the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday and is 10 factors behind the Blue Jackets for the second wild card from the East. The Rangers (30-35-9) have been eradicated from playoff competition.
Detroit Red Wings at Pittsburgh Penguins (7 p.m. ET; FDSNDET, SN-PIT)
The Penguins (37-21-16), who performed the second of a back-to-back set, are one level forward of the Islanders with a recreation in hand for second within the Metropolitan, however simply 4 factors away from the Red Wings, Senators and Flyers, who’re all under the playoff cutoff line. The Red Wings (39-26-8) have misplaced three of their final 4 (1-3-0), together with three straight at house. They are tied in factors (86) with the Flyers and Senators, all two factors behind the Blue Jackets for the second wild card within the East.
Philadelphia Flyers at Washington Capitals (7 pm ET; MNMT, NBCSP)
Porter Martonechosen No. 6 by the Flyers within the 2025 NHL Draft, will make his NHL debut for a Philadelphia group that’s 8-1-1 in its previous 10 video games. The 19-year-old ahead signed an entry-level contract Sunday after his faculty season ended with Michigan State’s 4-3 extra time loss to Wisconsin within the Worcester Regional ultimate of the NCAA Tournament. The Flyers (37-24-12) have climbed to inside two factors of the Blue Jackets for the second wild card within the East — tied in factors with the Red Wings and Senators. The Capitals (37-28-9) are 5 factors behind the Blue Jackets. Alex Ovechkin wants one purpose to change into the fourth participant in NHL historical past to attain 30 in a season at age 40 or older, becoming a member of Gordie Howe (44 in 1968-69, 31 in 1969-70), Johnny Bucyk (36 in 1975-76) and Teemu Selanne (31 in 2010-11).
Carolina Hurricanes at Columbus Blue Jackets (7:30 p.m. ET; HULU, ESPN+)
The Blue Jackets (38-24-12), who’ve misplaced three straight (0-2-1), try to hold on to the second wild card within the Eastern Conference. They are two factors forward of the Senators, Red Wings and Flyers, every of whom has a recreation in hand. Columbus is 4 factors behind the Bruins for the primary wild card within the East. The Hurricanes (46-21-6) lead the Metropolitan Division and are tied with the Lightning and Sabers for most factors within the Eastern Conference (98). The Hurricanes can attain the 100-point mark for the fifth time in franchise historical past with a victory.
Winnipeg Jets at Chicago Blackhawks (8:30 p.m. ET; CHSN, TSN3)
The Jets (31-30-12) can get nearer to the ultimate playoff spot within the West with a win. They are three factors behind the Nashville Predators for the second wild card within the West with a recreation in hand. The Blackhawks have misplaced three straight, 5 of six (1-4-1) and path the Predators by 10 factors for the second wild card.
Seattle Kraken at Edmonton Oilers (9 pm ET; SNW, KONG, KHN/Prime)
The Kraken (32-29-11) have misplaced 5 of six (1-3-2), however can take over the second wild card within the West with a win. They are two factors behind the Predators with two video games in hand. They are additionally one level behind the Los Angeles Kings, who’re one level behind the Predators. The Oilers (37-28-9) nonetheless have an opportunity to win the Pacific. They are 4 factors behind the first-place Anaheim Ducks. Edmonton has gained three in a row, powered by Connor McDavidwho has objectives (5) and factors (9) in 4 straight video games. He leads the NHL with 124 factors (42 objectives, 82 assists) in 74 video games.
