NHL playoff picture: Sharks in precarious position; Jets overtake Kings
The San Jose Sharks embark a seven-game road trip that could decide their season after losing at home to the Chicago Blackhawks. The Sharks are chasing the Winnipeg Jets, who moved back into the final Western Conference wild-card spot following their victory and a loss by the Los Angeles Kings.
Here's how the rest of the league looks after an exciting Saturday night:
Eastern Conference
Atlantic
| Team | GP | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Montreal | 69 | 93 |
| Tampa Bay | 70 | 91 |
| Detroit | 67 | 85 |
The Montreal Canadiens regained sole possession of the Atlantic Division lead by defeating the New York Islanders, while the Tampa Bay Lightning and Detroit Red Wings both lost.
Metropolitan
| Team | GP | Points |
|---|---|---|
| N.Y. Rangers | 67 | 93 |
| N.Y. Islanders | 71 | 90 |
| Pittsburgh | 68 | 88 |
The Islanders and the Pittsburgh Penguins both suffered setbacks, allowing the New York Rangers to solidify their hold on the Metropolitan Division with a victory over the Buffalo Sabres.
Wild Card
| Team | GP | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Boston | 68 | 82 |
| Washington | 69 | 82 |
| Florida | 68 | 76 |
| Ottawa | 67 | 75 |
The Boston Bruins are riding a five-game winning streak into Sunday's game against the Washington Capitals after downing the Penguins on Saturday. The Florida Panthers kept their hopes alive by blanking the Carolina Hurricanes.
Current Matchups
Montreal (A1) vs. Boston (WC1)
Tampa Bay (A2) vs. Detroit (A3)
N.Y. Rangers (M1) vs. Washington (WC2)
N.Y. Islanders (M2) vs. Pittsburgh (M3)
Western Conference
Central
| Team | GP | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville | 70 | 93 |
| St. Louis | 68 | 91 |
| Chicago | 68 | 88 |
The Nashville Predators rallied to defeat the Kings and move back in front of the St. Louis Blues, who lost to the Minnesota Wild.
Pacific
| Team | GP | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Anaheim | 70 | 93 |
| Vancouver | 68 | 82 |
| Calgary | 69 | 81 |
The Vancouver Canucks defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs to swap positions with the Calgary Flames, who lost to the Colorado Avalanche.
Wild Card
| Team | GP | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 69 | 83 |
| Winnipeg | 69 | 80 |
| Los Angeles | 68 | 79 |
| San Jose | 69 | 76 |
| Colorado | 69 | 75 |
The Jets lead the Kings by one point, but Los Angeles has a game in hand, making Winnipeg's contest against San Jose on Tuesday all the more important. The Wild are three points clear in the first wild-card spot after beating St. Louis.
Current Matchups
Nashville (C1) vs. Winnipeg (WC2)
St. Louis (C2) vs. Chicago (C3)
Anaheim (P1) vs. Minnesota (WC1)
Vancouver (P2) vs. Calgary (P3)
Race for Last
| Team | GP | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo | 68 | 44 |
| Edmonton | 69 | 48 |
| Arizona | 69 | 50 |
| Carolina | 67 | 58 |
| Toronto | 70 | 60 |
| Columbus | 68 | 64 |
Buffalo, the Arizona Coyotes, Carolina and Toronto all lost by a combined score of 12-2.