The NHL playoff push is our daily look back and ahead at the post-season picture as teams position themselves for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
If the season ended today…
(A1) vs. 
(WC2)
(M1) vs. 
(WC1)
(A2) vs. 
(A3)
(M2) vs. 
(M3)
Note: The NHL changed the playoff format last season. Click here for full details.
Series we’d love to see: New York Rangers vs. Washington Capitals — Alex Ovechkin is running away with the scoring title, and at the rate he’s going, he could take this scoring spree of his right into the playoffs. He even netted two goals against Cam Talbot on Sunday night, but something tells us the Rangers’ goaltending duo would like a rematch.
What’d I miss? Alex Ovechkin and Jason Chimera scored two goals apiece to lead the Washington Capitals past Cam Talbot and the Rangers 5-2 in what could be a preview of first-round series. The Rangers have looked like mere mortals in their last two games since their win over the Ottawa Senators Thursday to clinch a playoff berth… The Senators suffered their third consecutive loss — and yet another blow to their playoff hopes — with a 4-2 loss to the Florida Panthers. The Panthers moved within a point of Ottawa thanks to two goals from Jaromir Jagr.
While the Senators remained idle, the Boston Bruins pulled ahead and now have a three-point cushion for the final wild card spot following a 2-1 overtime victory over the Carolina Hurricanes…The New York Islanders broke their home losing streak to win their first home game of the month — a 5-4 victory over the Detroit Red Wings. The high-scoring game saw Red Wings goaltender Petr Mrazek replaced by Jimmy Howard after letting in four goals on eleven shots. (Goalie controversy? What goalie controversy?)… Pittsburgh barely survived a rallying San Jose Sharks squad — thanks in large part to their overtime penalty kill crew — for a 3-2 shootout victory.
Monday’s game to watch: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens: These high-powered teams have met four times this season, with all four victories going to the Lightning. (All this, of course, after the Canadiens swept the Lighting in the first round of last year’s playoffs.) Montreal has already secured itself a sure spot in the playoffs while the Tampa Bay Lightning are still searching for that elusive X beside their name in the standings after two missed opportunities in their last couple of games. The Lightning will look to get their offence firing on all cylinders after being shut out for the first time all season in Saturday’s 4-0 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Which is interesting, because shutouts are Carey Price’s specialty.
Update: The Lightning would clinch a playoff berth if they get at least one point.
The rest of Monday’s sked:
All eyes will be on the Lightning-Canadiens game, with no other Eastern Conference teams hitting the ice for playoff contention.
Fun fact: The Lightning would have clinched a playoff berth Sunday night if the Bruins had lost to the Hurricanes in regulation.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
If the season ended today…
(P1) vs. 
(WC2)
(C1) vs. 
(WC1)
(C2) vs. 
(C3)
(P2) vs. 
(P3)
Series we’d love to see: St. Louis Blues vs. Chicago Blackhawks — These two powerhouses met up last year in the first round. It turned out to be one heck of a series, with four of the six games going into overtime. Re-match? Yes, please!
What’d I miss? The Calgary Flames won big over the Nashville Predators, led by Lance Bouma’s two goals and rookie Michael Ferland’s first career NHL goal. The 5-2 victory bumped the Flames over the Los Angeles Kings for third place in the Pacific division, and back into the playoff picture… The Anaheim Ducks continued their drive to achieve the league’s best record this season with a 2-1 win over the New Jersey Devils… Despite a well-fought battle by the Winnipeg Jets, the Chicago Blackhawks came up with a 4-3 win in Sunday’s battle of the wild cards. With the win, the Blackhawks leapfrogged the Minnesota Wild for third place in the Pacific. The Jets, meanwhile, remained in the final wild card spot with 90 points.
Monday’s game to watch: Los Angeles Kings vs. Chicago Blackhawks: While this is a must-win for both squads, the weight is heavier for the L.A. Kings. Last year’s Stanley Cup champs were bumped out of the playoffs by the Flames Sunday night. Chicago is back in the Pacific’s No. 3 spot after a brief fling with a wild card, and a win would go a long way in helping them stay there.
The rest of Monday’s sked:
– Vancouver Canucks vs. St. Louis Blues: A win for Vancouver would give them a bit of breathing room over the pressing Flames and Kings.
Update: The Ducks (idle) would clinch the Pacific Division if the Canucks lose in any fashion.
*The Blues would clinch a playoff berth if they win in regulation or overtime OR if they win in a shootout AND either the Flames or Kings lose in any fashion OR if they get one point and either the Flames lose in regulation OR the Flames lose in any fashion and the Kings lose in regulation. However, The Blues cannot clinch a playoff berth if they lose in regulation.
– Calgary Flames vs. Dallas Stars: A Flames loss (and a Kings win) would send the Flames tumbling past the wild card spots and straight out of the playoffs again.
Fun fact: Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews’ late game-winning goal was his 25th of the season, ranking him 25th in league scoring.
