On Tap<\/p>\n
There are 14 games on the\u00a0NHL schedule Thursday, all with playoff implications:<\/p>\n
Washington Capitals at New Jersey Devils (7:30 p.m. ET; HULU, ESPN+)<\/p>\n
The Capitals (38-28-9) look to continue their pursuit of the Blue Jackets in the race for the second wild card into the playoffs from the Eastern Conference. Washington, which has won three straight and is 5-1-1 in its past seven, is three points behind Columbus and a point behind Ottawa, Detroit and Philadelphia. The Devils (38-34-2) will try to keep their wild-card hopes alive; they’re 10 points out of the second wild card after a 4-1 loss at the New York Rangers on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Utah Mammoth at Seattle Kraken (10 p.m. ET; HULU, ESPN+)<\/p>\n
The Kraken (32-30-11) try to inch closer to a playoff spot and avoid a three-game season series sweep by the Kraken. Seattle is three points behind Los Angeles Kings for the second wild card from the West with a game in hand. The Kraken need to right themselves after going 1-4-2 in their past seven games. The Mammoth (38-30-6) continue to climb toward their first playoff appearance in their second NHL season. They hold the first wild card in the West, four points ahead of the Kings, who hold the second wild card.<\/p>\n
Buffalo Sabres at Ottawa Senators (7 p.m. ET; RDS2, TSN5, MSG-B)<\/p>\n
The Sabres (46-21-8) can clinch a playoff spot for the first time since 2011, ending the longest playoff drought in NHL history. Buffalo reached the 100-point mark for the first time since 2009-10 after a 4-3 win against the New York Islanders on Tuesday and will try to keep pace atop the Eastern Conference, where it’s tied with Carolina. The Sabres can also pad their lead in the Atlantic Division, where they’re two points ahead of the Lightning, who have a game in hand. The Senators (38-26-10) can regain the second wild card in the East; they’re two points behind the Blue Jackets with a game in hand and tied with Red Wings and Flyers.<\/p>\n
Pittsburgh Penguins at Tampa Bay Lightning (7\u00a0p.m. ET; The Spot, SN-PIT)<\/p>\n
The Lightning (46-22-6) can clinch a playoff berth for the ninth straight season and look to rebound after having an eight-game point streak (6-0-2) end with a 4-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday. Tampa Bay is second in the Atlantic, two points behind Buffalo with a game in hand and two points ahead of third-place Montreal. The Lightning are also two points back of the Sabres and Hurricanes for the Eastern Conference lead. The Penguins (38-21-16), who have won three of their past four, can have a chance to solidify their hold on a playoff spot after a 5-1 win against the Red Wings on Tuesday. Pittsburgh is second in the Metropolitan Division, three points ahead of the Islanders with a game in hand, and four points ahead of the Blue Jackets.<\/p>\n
Boston Bruins at Florida Panthers (7 p.m. ET; SCRIPPS, NESN, SNO, SNE, SN1)<\/p>\n
The Bruins (43-24-8) are hot on the trail of the rival Canadiens for third place in the Atlantic; Boston has won four straight and sit two points behind Montreal, which has a game in hand. The Bruins are four points ahead of the Blue Jackets for the first wild card in the East. The Panthers (36-35-3) savored a 6-3 win against the Senators on Tuesday that ended a three-game losing streak, but the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions are 13 points out of the second wild card.<\/p>\n
Montreal Canadiens at New York Rangers (7 p.m. ET; MSG, TSN2, RDS)<\/p>\n
The Canadiens (43-21-10) seek their seventh straight win and a chance to pull even with the Lightning for second in the Atlantic; Montreal is two points behind Tampa Bay and four behind first-place Buffalo with a game in hand, and lead Boston by two points with a game in hand. The Rangers (31-35-9) have a three-game winning streak but have been eliminated from playoff contention.<\/p>\n
Detroit Red Wings at Philadelphia Flyers (7 p.m. ET: FDSNDETX, NBCSP)<\/p>\n
The Red Wings (39-27-8) and Flyers (37-25-12) each look to get back into the playoff bracket; Detroit, Philadelphia and Ottawa each is two points behind Columbus for the second wild card from the East and each has a game in hand on the Senators. Philadelphia is 8-2-1 since March 11. Detroit, 1-4-0 in its past five games, is hoping to get back on track and qualify for the playoffs for the first time in 10 seasons.<\/p>\n
Columbus Blue Jackets at Carolina Hurricanes (7 p.m. ET; FDSNOH, FDSNSO)<\/p>\n
The Hurricanes (47-21-6) can clinch a playoff spot with a win in any fashion against the Blue Jackets or if they get at least one point against Columbus and Philadelphia defeats Detroit in any fashion and Buffalo defeats Ottawa in regulation. Carolina holds an eight-point lead over Pittsburgh for the Metropolitan lead and is tied with Buffalo for first in the East with a game in hand. The Blue Jackets (38-25-12) will try to maintain sole possession of the second wild card in the East and end a four-game losing streak (0-3-1). They hold a two-point lead over the Senators, Red Wings and Flyers, having played one more game than each.<\/p>\n
Vancouver Canucks at Minnesota Wild (8 p.m. ET; FDSNWI, FDSNNO, SNP)<\/p>\n
The Wild (41-21-12) can punch their ticket back to the playoffs and clinch a berth with at least one point against the\u00a0Canucks (22-44-8) or if the Blackhawks defeat the Oilers in regulation and the Maple Leafs defeat the Sharks in any fashion and the Flames defeat the Golden Knights in regulation, or if the Maple Leafs defeat the Sharks in regulation or with any result in the Kings-Predators game other than a Los Angeles regulation win. Defenseman Quinn Hughes<\/a>\u00a0will face his former team for the first time since he was acquired by the Wild in a trade on Dec. 12. Vancouver has been eliminated from playoff contention.<\/p>\n Winnipeg Jets at Dallas Stars (8\u00a0p.m. ET; Victory+, TSN3)<\/p>\n The Jets (32-30-12), who are 4-1-0 in their past five, can move into the playoff picture; they’re two points behind the Kings for the second wild card in the West and one point behind the Sharks and Predators. Winnipeg\u2019s surge has been led by center Mark Scheifele<\/a>, who has nine points (three goals, six assists) in a four-game point streak. The Stars (44-19-12) have clinched a playoff spot but are 1-4-2 in their past seven after a 6-3 loss at the Boston Bruins on Tuesday. Dallas is second in the Central Division, eight points behind the Colorado Avalanche, who hold a game in hand.<\/p>\n Chicago\u00a0Blackhawks at Edmonton Oilers (9 p.m. ET; TVAS, SNW, CHSN)<\/p>\n