Apr 11, 2023 at 11:58 a.m
After Monday’s madness, we have another night with all kinds of results for Tuesday’s NHL game.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are suddenly in control of a berth in the Far East, while the Winnipeg Jets could secure a playoff berth in Minnesota.
Here’s a look at the games affecting Tuesday’s playoff picture.
Detroit in the Carolinas, 7:00 PM EST / 4:00 PM PT
The Hurricanes are one point ahead of the New Jersey Devils and two points ahead of the New York Rangers for first place in the Metropolitan Division.
The Hurricanes and Devils each have two games to play while the Rangers have one game to play. The Devils currently lead the first tiebreaker – regulation win – by one over both teams.
The Hurricanes can clinch their third straight title with a win over Detroit and a regulation time loss for the Devils to Buffalo.
Buffalo, NJ, 7:00 PM EST / 4:00 PM PT
The Sabers kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a resounding 3-2 shootout win in New York over the Rangers on Monday.
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Rookie goaltender Devon Levy was stunning, beating his Rangers counterpart Igor Shesterkin in a penalty shootout.
It will be interesting to see if Levy, who signed last month, makes his fifth consecutive start.
The Sabers must win their last three games as they hope to defeat two New York Islanders, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Florida Panthers.
The Devils clinch home ice in the first round, by one point.
Chicago in Pittsburgh, 7:30 PM ET / 4:30 PM PT
The Islanders’ upset loss to the Washington Capitals on Monday opened the door for the Penguins to make the playoffs for the 17th year in a row.
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All the Penguins have to do is beat Chicago and Columbus (Thursday).
The Penguins (80 points, 2 games remaining) are 1 point behind the Islanders (1 game remaining) and 1 point behind the Panthers (2 games remaining) for 2 wildcard spots.
The inactive Panthers clinch a point in the playoffs if the Sword and the Penguins lose in regulation,
Winnipeg, Minnesota, 8pm EST / 5pm PT
After righting the ship over the past week, the Jets need just one point in their last two games to clinch a spot in the final game of the West.
The Jets are in Colorado on Thursday, so the schedule isn’t easy.
If the Jets lose twice in regulation, the Nashville Predators can hold them back with two wins.
The Wild are two points behind the Colorado Avalanche and the first-place Dallas Stars in Division One.
The Idle Stars win the ice in the first round if Minnesota loses in regulation.
Edmonton, Colorado, 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT, Sportsnet ONE
The Oilers’ freshmen can wrap up a first-round home advantage with just one point in their last two games.
Edmonton also has a chance to start in the Pacific Division. The Oilers trail the Vegas Golden Knights by 2 points and get their first tiebreaker.
The Avalanche, with three games remaining, has the best chance of finishing in first place in the Central Division.
Seattle in Vegas, 10pm EST / 7pm PT
Kraken, in a crowded spot on the charts, has a chance of reaching third place in the Pacific Division.
With two games left, they are two points behind the Los Angeles Kings, who have just one game left. Seattle currently has a tie breaker.
The Golden Knights clinch the Pacific with a win over the Kraken and a loss to the Oilers, or if they get a point against Seattle and Edmonton loses in regulation.
