Tonight's Big Matchups 04/23

Via: bostonherald.com

Tonight's matchups are going to be huge for determining playoff positioning in the East, as four teams separated by only 2 points will be playing tonight. By the end of the evening, the playoff picture may look very different. Let's take a look at some of the key games:

Winnipeg Jets @ Washington Captials (7:00pm ET): It doesn't get any bigger than this, as the Caps and Jets clash tonight in Washington. The winner could take the division, the loser could be out of the playoffs. Jets captain Andrew Ladd has been red-hot lately with 12 points in the last 6 games, almost single-handedly willing the Jets into the playoff picture. Not to be outdone, fellow captain Alex Ovechkin has 14 points in his last 8. Prediction: 4-2 Caps

New York Islanders @ Carolina Hurricanes (7:00pm ET): The Isles have gone 2-0 so far in their five game road trip to close out the season. MVP candidate John Tavares continues to lead the way to the postseason, though the Isles scoring lately has been both balanced and excellent. However their position is not yet secure and they need to continue to pick up points. The Canes are merely playing out the season at this point and have won just three of their last twenty games. Prediction: 4-1 Isles

New York Rangers @ Florida Panthers (7:30pm ET): Like the Islanders, tonight's game for the Rangers represents a valuable two points in the standings they cannot afford to lose. They currently sit tied with Ottawa for the last playoff position, just one point up on the Jets. Luckily, they've been playing at the top of their game recently, scoring 18 goals in three straight wins. Prediction: 5-1 Rangers

Los Angeles Kings @ Minnesota Wild (8:00pm ET): Meanwhile over in the West, Minnesota needs to turn thins around after nearly slipping out of contention. With a loss tonight, they'll be tied with Columbus for 8th place and will make themselves vulnerable to being caught by Detroit. The Kings have already clinched a playoff berth and are looking to continue a run of strong play that includes only one regulation loss in their last nine. Prediction: 3-2 Kings

The other matchups include Montreal @ New Jersey, Boston @ Philly, Buffalo @ Pittsburgh, Colorado @ St.Louis, Calgary @ Nashville and Dallas @ San Jose. With 20 teams in action, there will be no shortage of  highlights to watch tonight!

Thanks for reading,  please comment with your predictions for tonight's NHL games, and don't forget to share if you like the content here at WAAP. I'll be back later tonight with some evening reading for you, so until then, enjoy the games!

Your game preview gif is brought to you courtesy of Steve Ott's unusual faceoff tactics: