Tonight's Big Matchups 04/18

Via: Nationalpost.com

Here's a look at just a few of the big games to keep an eye on tonight around the NHL:

New York Islanders @ Toronto Maple Leafs (7:00pm ET): The Isles want to start out a 5 game road trip to end the season on the right foot with a win tonight in Toronto. They've been hot too, with a record of 6-0-2 in their last 8. The Leafs have been alternating wins and losses all month, with their last game a particularly ugly 5-1 defeat at the hands of the Capitals. Last time these two met, five Islanders recorded multi-point games in a 7-4 win. Prediction: 4-3 Isles

Florida Panthers @ New York Rangers (7:00pm ET): This, like all the other games remaining for them, is going to be a critical one for the Rangers. Currently tied with Winnipeg for the last playoff spot, they need to win this game in hand in order to maintain their advantage for the 8th seed. For the Panthers, things couldn't get much worse at this point. They're dead last in the entire NHL and have allowed 15 goals against in their last 3, all losses. Prediction: 4-1 Rangers

Washington Captials @ Ottawa Senators (7:30pm ET): This potential first round series preview looks to be a good one tonight. The Caps are absolutely on fire, winning 8 straight games and led by the resurgent Alex Ovechkin. After a brief losing streak, the Sens seem to have turned it around with back to back wins earlier this week, thanks in part to goalie Craig Anderson, who has been sublime since returning from injury. Prediction: 3-2 Caps

Vancouver Canucks @ Dallas Stars (8:30pm ET): The Canucks are looking to clinch a 5th consecutive playoff appearance tonight in Dallas. Despite the shootout loss to the Blues in their last game, the Canucks liked how they played and will need the same effort tonight against a Dallas squad desperate to make the playoffs. The Stars had a winning streak snapped in their last game against Chicago and will need to get points quickly if they are to have any hope. Prediction: 5-2 Canucks

Columbus Blue Jackets @ Los Angeles Kings (10:30pm ET): If the Jackets want to maintain their lead over Detroit for the last playoff spot in the West, they've got to have a big game tonight in LA. They are currently on a 5 game winning streak, with their last one being a huge comeback victory last night over the Ducks. The Kings meanwhile have been somewhat inconsistent lately, but remain one of the best teams in the West. Prediction: 2-1 Kings

That's it, thanks for reading everybody! As always please comment with your own predictions, and share if you like the content here at WAAP. Your evening gif: Tuukka Rask may be a great goalie, but there's some other aspects of his game that need some work...