As the NHL regular season nears its end, every game carries significant weight, especially for teams vying for a playoff berth or jockeying for better seeding. Monday night`s action saw the Chicago Blackhawks upset the Montreal Canadiens, keeping the Columbus Blue Jackets` playoff hopes alive in the Eastern Conference. In the West, the wild card battle remains tight between the Minnesota Wild, St. Louis Blues, and Calgary Flames, all of whom are in action on Tuesday. Here`s a preview of Tuesday`s crucial matchups:
New Jersey Devils at Boston Bruins, 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
For the Devils, this game serves as crucial preparation for their upcoming first-round playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes. Meanwhile, the Bruins are focused on the draft lottery, currently positioned fourth and aiming to improve their draft pick.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
The Maple Leafs are on the verge of securing the Atlantic Division title. A win or even an overtime loss against the Sabres will clinch the division. The Sabres, despite a strong finish to the season, are looking towards the draft lottery, currently at the No. 7 spot.
Chicago Blackhawks at Ottawa Senators, 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
The Blackhawks` recent win doesn`t affect their draft lottery position as they are locked in at No. 2. The Senators are preparing for the playoffs as the first Eastern Conference wild card, set to face either the Maple Leafs or Lightning in the first round.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Philadelphia Flyers, 7 p.m. (ESPN+)
The Blue Jackets` playoff chances are slim but still alive thanks to Montreal`s loss. They need to win their remaining two games and hope for a Canadiens regulation loss to secure the final wild card spot. The Flyers are also in the draft lottery mix, currently at No. 6.
Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
This in-state rivalry could be a first-round playoff preview. While the Panthers cannot overtake the Lightning in the standings, and the Lightning have a long shot at catching the Maple Leafs, this game is more about setting the tone for a potential playoff series.
Washington Capitals at New York Islanders, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
Having secured the top seed in the Eastern Conference, the Capitals may be less intense in these final games. The Islanders are positioned 10th in the draft lottery and are looking to improve their draft position.
Utah Hockey Club at St. Louis Blues, 8 p.m. (ESPN+)
The Blues can clinch a playoff spot with a win and a Flames loss. For the Utah Hockey Club in their inaugural season, they are heading to the draft lottery and currently sit at 14th.
Anaheim Ducks at Minnesota Wild, 8 p.m. (ESPN+)
A win for the Wild secures their playoff spot. The Ducks are also in the draft lottery, currently at No. 9.
Vegas Golden Knights at Calgary Flames, 9 p.m. (ESPN+)
This is a must-win game for the Flames to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Golden Knights have already clinched the top seed in the Pacific Division and could potentially eliminate the Flames from playoff contention with a win.
Los Angeles Kings at Seattle Kraken, 10:30 p.m. (ESPN)
The Kings have secured home-ice advantage for their first-round series against the Oilers. The Kraken are in the draft lottery, currently at No. 5.
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
Tuesday`s Games
- New Jersey Devils at Boston Bruins, 7 p.m.
- Toronto Maple Leafs at Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m.
- Chicago Blackhawks at Ottawa Senators, 7 p.m.
- Columbus Blue Jackets at Philadelphia Flyers, 7 p.m.
- Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
- Washington Capitals at New York Islanders, 7:30 p.m.
- Utah Hockey Club at St. Louis Blues, 8 p.m.
- Anaheim Ducks at Minnesota Wild, 8 p.m.
- Vegas Golden Knights at Calgary Flames, 9 p.m.
- Los Angeles Kings at Seattle Kraken, 10:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Monday`s Scoreboard
- Chicago Blackhawks 4, Montreal Canadiens 3 (SO)
- Detroit Red Wings 6, Dallas Stars 4
- New York Rangers 5, Florida Panthers 3
- Utah Hockey Club 7, Nashville Predators 3
- Los Angeles Kings 5, Edmonton Oilers 0
- Vancouver Canucks 2, San Jose Sharks 1 (OT)
NHL Standings (Selected Teams)
Atlantic Division (Top Teams)
- Toronto Maple Leafs (104 Points)
- Tampa Bay Lightning (100 Points)
- Florida Panthers (98 Points)
- Ottawa Senators (94 Points)
- Montreal Canadiens (89 Points)
Metro Division (Top Teams)
- Washington Capitals (109 Points)
- Carolina Hurricanes (99 Points)
- New Jersey Devils (89 Points)
- Columbus Blue Jackets (85 Points)
Central Division (Top Teams)
- Winnipeg Jets (114 Points)
- Dallas Stars (106 Points)
- Colorado Avalanche (102 Points)
- Minnesota Wild (95 Points)
- St. Louis Blues (94 Points)
Pacific Division (Top Teams)
- Vegas Golden Knights (107 Points)
- Los Angeles Kings (103 Points)
- Edmonton Oilers (99 Points)
- Calgary Flames (92 Points)
Race for the No. 1 Draft Pick (Top 5)
- San Jose Sharks (52 Points)
- Chicago Blackhawks (59 Points)
- Nashville Predators (66 Points)
- Boston Bruins (75 Points)
- Seattle Kraken (76 Points)
