So take the time to consult the classification as well as being aware of all the elements that could have an impact on the race for the playoffs.
READ ALSO : Formations and starting goalkeepers planned | Poolers: Players to target
Clashes to watch
Today there are 13 games on the schedule, and 12 of them have a direct impact on the playoff race.
Oilers-Kraken: The third rank of the Pacific at stake
Third in the Pacific Division will be on the line when the Seattle Kraken host the Edmonton Oilers at Climate Pledge Arena (4 p.m. ET; SN, SN1, ROOT-NW, ESPN+, SN NOW).
The Oilers (38-23-8) have won their last two games and are 6-2-0 in their last eight outings. They are one point ahead of the Kraken at third in the Pacific, but the Kraken have a game in hand.
Edmonton is on a short one-game trip and will return home to play three games next week.
The center player Connor McDavid had three consecutive multi-point games (three goals, four assists) and led the NHL with 131 points (57 goals, 74 assists) in 69 games, en route to a 156-point season, not seen since Mario Lemieux in 1995-96 (161).
Video: DAL@EDM: A 57th goal this season for McDavid
The Kraken (38-23-7) snapped a three-game losing streak (0-2-1) with a 2-1 win over the San Jose Sharks on Thursday. The Kraken have won two in six games against the Oilers since joining the NHL as an expansion team in the 2021-22 season.
After Saturday, Seattle will play its next four road games against Western Conference opponents – the Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild and Nashville Predators (twice).
“We wanted to make sure we got the points today,” said the Kraken keeper Phillip Grubauer, after the game against the Sharks. “The next matches will be real tests. We face teams that are close to us in the standings. »
Vince Dunn will want to get at least one point in a 12th consecutive game (four goals, 12 assists). This is a record streak for a defender in the Kraken’s short history.
A third win in a row in the sights of the Rangers
The New York Rangers will be looking for a third straight win when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins at Madison Square Garden (8 p.m. ET; ABC, ESPN+, SN NOW).
This will be the second game in three days between these two teams from the Metropolitan section and their last meeting of the season. Pittsburgh won 3-2 in overtime at home on Sunday, but New York prevailed 4-2 at home on Thursday.
The Rangers (39-19-10) are firmly in third place in the Metropolitan, seven points behind the New Jersey Devils and ten points ahead of the Penguins.
After a timid debut with Rangers – cleared in his first two games – the striker Patrick Kane seems to be taking its ease in the Big Apple. He has five points in his last five games, and his three goals are a Rangers high this streak, tied with forwards Chris Kreider et Mika Zibanejad.
Video: WSH@NYR: Kane shakes the ropes in AN
“We are regaining more and more momentum,” Zibanejad said on Thursday. “In general, it was a good game. We want to have aspects to work on. We want to improve and create a lot of scoring chances. We need to continue in this vein and see what we can accomplish. »
If the Rangers have won their last two games, the Penguins want to stop a series of two losses. Pittsburgh has allowed ten goals in the last two games.
The Penguins want to hold on to the No. 4 ace spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs. They are tied with the New York Islanders, who have played two more games, and are only three points ahead of the Florida Panthers.
“We know where we are,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said after Thursday’s game against the Rangers. “These games are important, and we are fighting for a playoff spot. We try to maximize the opportunity that presents itself to us. Tonight was against the Rangers. This is a missed opportunity for us. We have to learn from that and prepare for the next clash. »
Also in action today…
Hurricanes de la Caroline vs Flyers de Philadelphie (17 h HE; ESPN+, Hulu, SN NOW)
The Hurricanes (44-15-8) will try to increase their one-point lead over the Devils in first place in the Metropolitan. Carolina has lost three of its last four games in regulation after only losing three in regulation in the previous 22 meetings (18-3-1).
Devils du New Jersey vs Panthers de la Floride (18 h HE; BSFLX, MSGSN, ESPN+, SN NOW)
The Devils (44-15-8) and Panthers (34-27-7) can both climb the Eastern standings. New Jersey can grab the top spot from the Metropolitan, one point ahead of the Hurricanes, with a win combined with a regulation-time loss to Carolina. Florida, which is 4-0-1 in five games, could come within a point of the Islanders and Penguins, who hold the two fourth-ace spots.
Maple Leafs de Toronto vs Sénateurs d’Ottawa (19 h HE; CBC, SNO, SNW, SNP, ESPN+, SN NOW)
The Maple Leafs (41-18-9) want to consolidate their second place in the Atlantic. Toronto is three points ahead of the third-place Tampa Bay Lightning with a game in hand. The Senators (33-31-4) will be looking to end a four-game losing streak that has dragged them into the playoff race. Ottawa is eight points behind the Penguins and Islanders.
Canadiens de Montréal vs Lightning de Tampa Bay (19 h HE; TVAS, CITY, SNE, BSSUNX, ESPN+, SN NOW)
The Lightning (41-22-6) could come within a point of the Maple Leafs and second in the Atlantic with a third straight win. Tampa Bay is 4-1-1 in six games after a five-game losing streak (0-4-1).
Canucks de Vancouver vs Kings de Los Angeles (22 h HE; SN 360, CITY, SNP, BSW, ESPN+, SN NOW)
The Kings (40-20-9) could come within a point of the Vegas Golden Knights, inactive Saturday, and first in the Pacific. They will try to collect at least one point in a 10th straight game at home (8-0-1).
Stars de Dallas vs Flames de Calgary (22 h HE; CBC, SNE, SNO, SNW, BSSW, ESPN+, SN NOW)
The Stars (37-19-13) can hold on to the top spot at Central, and the Flames (31-24-14) could be closing in on a playoff spot. After two straight losses, the Stars are only one point ahead of the Wild. With a 4-1-1 record in six games, Calgary could come within a point of Winnipeg and second-place No. 4 in the West with a win.
Islanders de New York vs Sharks de San Jose (22 h 30 HE; NHLN, NBCSCA, MSGSN, ESPN+, SN NOW)
The Islanders (35-27-8) are coming off a three-game trip to California and are looking for a win to solidify their spot in the East. After splitting the honors for the first two legs of the trip, New York is tied with Pittsburgh for second place in fourth ace. The Islanders are three points ahead of the Panthers but have played two more games.
Avalanche 5, Red Wings 1 | RÉSUMÉ
Jets 3, Predators 2 (P) | RÉSUMÉ
Bruins 5, Wild 2 | RÉSUMÉ
If the playoffs started today
Here’s a look at first-round matchups should the playoffs begin before Thursday’s fixtures.
Eastern Association
(1A) Bruins de Boston vs (QA2) Islanders de New York
(1M) Caroline Hurricanes vs (QA1) Pittsburgh Penguins
(2A) Maple Leafs de Toronto vs (3A) Lightning de Tampa Bay
(2M) Devils du New Jersey vs (3M) Rangers de New York
Western Association
(1P) Golden Knights de Vegas vs (QA2) Jets de Winnipeg
(1C) Stars de Dallas vs (QA1) Kraken de Seattle
(2C) Minnesota Wild vs. (3C) Colorado Avalanche
(2P) Kings de Los Angeles vs (3P) Oilers d’Edmonton
About last night
There were four games scheduled Thursday. Check out our March 17 matches roundup to read the summaries of the meetings and know the different implications related to the series.