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| Via: Washingtonpost.com |
It's going to be a busy night in the NHL, with 22 teams in action. Let's take a look at a few of the key games with playoff implications.
Ottawa Senators @ Washington Capitals (7:00pm ET): The Caps clinched the Southeast division with a huge win over the Jets on Tuesday. They're red-hot and their only loss in their last 11 was at the hands of the Sens last week. Ottawa has cooled down since that win though, scoring only two goals in two straight losses. However, Norris trophy winning defenseman Erik Karlsson is back in the lineup tonight and sure to give the team a boost. If the Sens win, they'll clinch a playoff spot for the second straight season.
Prediction: 3-2 Sens
New York Rangers @ Carolina Hurricanes (7:00pm ET): After a very long losing streak, the Canes have turned it around with two straight wins. The top line of captain Eric Staal, Alex Semin and Jiri Tlusty have led the way, combining for 10 points in those two games. Meanwhile, the Rangers are looking to clinch a playoff spot, and a win tonight would do it. Interesting side note, for the first time ever all four Staal brothers could share the ice tonight.
Prediction: 5-3 Rangers
Nashville Predators @ Detroit Red Wings (7:30pm ET): The Wings picked up an absolutely critical win last night against the Kings to jump back into the top 8 in the West. If Columbus loses their game agaisnt Dallas later tonight and Detroit wins this one, the Wings will clinch their 22nd consecutive playoff appearance. Goalie Jimmy Howard has only allowed 2 goals in the last three games, and the Predators boast the 29th ranked offense in the league. I don't often predict shutouts, but...
Prediction: 3-0 Wings
Columbus Blue Jackets @ Dallas Stars (8:30pm ET): It's must win time for both these teams if they are to have any hope to make the playoffs. Columbus can eliminate Dallas with a win, but still need some help to catch Detroit or Minnesota for the number eight seed. Since a dominant 5-1 performance over Vancouver last week, the Stars have not looked good losing three in a row. The Jackets however picked up a huge win in San Jose on the weekend and have now won six of their last seven.
Prediction: 3-2 Jackets
Anaheim Ducks @ Vancouver Canucks (10:00pm ET): Regardless of the outcome of this game, Anaheim and Vancouver are assured to finish 2nd and 3rd in the West, respectively. As a result, the focus of both teams is preparing for the post-season. Anaheim will be sitting several veterans tonight, including Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu, in an attempt to give them some rest. The Canucks meanwhile are dealing with a few injuries, including goalie Cory Schneider, but looks like they'll get most of those players back before the first round begins. Roberto Luongo will spell Schneider tonight, in what could be his last ever home game in a Canucks uniform.
Prediction: 4-2 Canucks
Other games tonight include:
- New York Islanders @ Philadelphia Flyers (7:00pm ET)
- Pittsburgh Penguins @ New Jersey Devils (7:30pm ET)
- Toronto Maple Leafs @ Florida Panthers (7:30pm ET)
- Tampa Bay Lightning @ Boston Bruins (7:30ET)
- Montreal Canadiens @ Winnipeg Jets (8:00pm ET)
- Calgary Flames @ St. Louis Blues (8:00pm ET)
By the end of the night, it's possible that 15 of the 16 playoff seeds will have been taken. It should make for some good hockey! So, that's it for tonight folks, thanks for reading and all the support you show to me here at WAAP. Give your predictions for tonight's games in the comments, make sure to tell me how wrong I am! And please don't forget to share on the social media platform of your choice, I need all the help I can get to keep this thing going. This evening's gif is Jarome Iginla, who shows that, at age 35, he can still shoot with the best of them. What a beauty!
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