Overview of Saturday’s Games

The NHL had an eventful day on Saturday with 11 games, significantly impacting the playoff landscape. Notably, three teams—the Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers, and New York Islanders—were officially eliminated from playoff contention. This leaves the Columbus Blue Jackets as the only team still competing for the final spot, closely following the Montreal Canadiens.

Western Conference Highlights

The St. Louis Blues managed to keep their dim playoff hopes alive, narrowly losing to the Seattle Kraken in a shootout. Meanwhile, both the Winnipeg Jets and the Vegas Golden Knights secured victories, ensuring they clinched their respective division titles.

Upcoming Sunday Matchups

As the regular season nears its end on Thursday, Sunday’s schedule features nine crucial games that will further shape the standings and playoff scenarios:

• Philadelphia Flyers vs. Ottawa Senators – 1 p.m. (ESPN+)
• New York Islanders vs. New Jersey Devils – 1 p.m. (TNT)
• Boston Bruins vs. Pittsburgh Penguins – 3:30 p.m. (TNT)
• Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Carolina Hurricanes – 5 p.m. (ESPN+)
• Buffalo Sabres vs. Tampa Bay Lightning – 6 p.m. (ESPN+)
• Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Washington Capitals – 6 p.m. (ESPN+)
• Edmonton Oilers vs. Winnipeg Jets – 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
• San Jose Sharks vs. Calgary Flames – 8 p.m. (ESPN+)
• Colorado Avalanche vs. Anaheim Ducks – 10 p.m. (ESPN)

Key Match Previews

Philadelphia Flyers at Ottawa Senators

The Senators have secured the first wild-card position in the East, while the Flyers are currently positioned fifth in the draft lottery, chasing teams above them.

New York Islanders at New Jersey Devils

After their playoff hopes were dashed, the Islanders will face a Devils team that is already set to enter the playoffs as the third seed from the Metropolitan Division.

Boston Bruins at Pittsburgh Penguins

This historic matchup finds both teams outside of playoff contention, with the Bruins currently fourth in the draft lottery order, prompting a focus on future prospects.

Toronto Maple Leafs at Carolina Hurricanes

The outcome could solidify the Maple Leafs’ hold on the Atlantic Division title, while the Hurricanes are locked into second in the Metropolitan Division.

Buffalo Sabres at Tampa Bay Lightning

The Lightning are desperately trying to keep their Atlantic Division title hopes alive with every game counting. Buffalo, on the other hand, seeks to improve their draft positioning.

Columbus Blue Jackets at Washington Capitals

In a rematch following the Blue Jackets’ commanding 7-0 victory, Columbus looks to narrow the gap in the wild-card chase against the Capitals, who aim to capitalize on securing the top seed in the East.

Edmonton Oilers at Winnipeg Jets

The Oilers have clinched their playoff berth but are vying for home-ice advantage against a Jets team that has already locked in the number one seed in the West.

San Jose Sharks at Calgary Flames

The Flames remain on the fringes of playoff contention, needing a late surge as the Sharks sit at the bottom of the draft lottery standings.

Colorado Avalanche at Anaheim Ducks

While the Avalanche are set for a playoff spot as the third seed in the Central Division, the Ducks find themselves needing to regroup for next season, positioned ninth in the lottery standings.

Current Playoff Matchups

Eastern Conference

• A1 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. WC1 Ottawa Senators
• A2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. A3 Florida Panthers
• M1 Washington Capitals vs. WC2 Montreal Canadiens
• M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 New Jersey Devils

Western Conference

• C1 Winnipeg Jets vs. WC2 St. Louis Blues
• C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche
• P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC1 Minnesota Wild
• P2 Los Angeles Kings vs. P3 Edmonton Oilers