NHL playoff picture: Jets, Senators post important wins; Kings stumble
The Winnipeg Jets earned some breathing room in the Western Conference wild-card race while the Ottawa Senators inched closer to a spot in the East. Also, the Los Angeles Kings missed out on an opportunity to overtake the Calgary Flames.
Here's how the playoff picture looks after an eventful Saturday:
Eastern Conference
Atlantic
| Team | GP | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Montreal | 73 | 99 |
| Tampa Bay | 72 | 95 |
| Detroit | 70 | 87 |
The Montreal Canadiens won to move four points clear of the idle Tampa Bay Lightning, who defeated the Detroit Red Wings on Friday.
Metropolitan
| Team | GP | Points |
|---|---|---|
| N.Y. Rangers | 70 | 97 |
| N.Y. Islanders | 73 | 92 |
| Pittsburgh | 72 | 90 |
The Rangers defeated the Carolina Hurricanes, the Islanders shut out the New Jersey Devils and the Pittsburgh Penguins won against the Arizona Coyotes.
Wild Card
| Team | GP | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | 73 | 88 |
| Boston | 72 | 84 |
| Ottawa | 71 | 83 |
| Florida | 72 | 80 |
The Senators trail the Boston Bruins by one point following their sixth straight victory. Boston lost to the Florida Panthers in a shootout, while the Washington Capitals were blanked by Winnipeg.
Current Matchups
Montreal (A1) vs. Boston (WC2)
Tampa Bay (A2) vs. Detroit (A3)
NY Rangers (M1) vs. Washington (WC1)
NY Islanders (M2) vs. Pittsburgh (M3)
Western Conference
Central
| Team | GP | Points |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | 72 | 96 |
| Nashville | 73 | 96 |
| Chicago | 71 | 92 |
The Nashville Predators beat the Buffalo Sabres to pull even in points with the St. Louis Blues, who lost to the Minnesota Wild. The Chicago Blackhawks were blanked by the Dallas Stars.
Pacific
| Team | GP | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Anaheim | 73 | 99 |
| Vancouver | 71 | 86 |
| Calgary | 72 | 84 |
The Vancouver Canucks improved their standing by defeating the Kings. The Flames earned a point from their overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, which was enough to keep them ahead of Los Angeles.
Wild Card
| Team | GP | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 72 | 87 |
| Winnipeg | 72 | 86 |
| Los Angeles | 71 | 82 |
| Colorado | 71 | 78 |
| San Jose | 72 | 78 |
| Dallas | 72 | 78 |
Minnesota and Winnipeg have more comfortable leads thanks to their Saturday victories and the Kings' loss. The San Jose Sharks face an almost impossible task to keep their playoff streak alive after being shut out by Montreal.
Current Matchups
St. Louis (C1) vs. Minnesota (WC1)
Nashville (C2) vs. Chicago (C3)
Anaheim (P1) vs. Winnipeg (WC2)
Vancouver (P2) vs. Calgary (P3)
Race for Last
| Team GP Points | ||
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo | 72 | 47 |
| Arizona | 72 | 50 |
| Edmonton | 72 | 53 |
| Toronto | 73 | 60 |
| Carolina | 71 | 62 |
The Edmonton Oilers earned a costly overtime victory over the Philadelphia Flyers, giving Arizona a three-point cushion in second-last place.