NHL playoff race heats up: Key Tuesday night matches and their standings effects

With every passing game in this National Hockey League regular season, the importance of each game has become more critical than in any previous season. Two teams with very close margins are fighting hard for that bitter end of the wild card race, so each night counts for them. In particular, this night will have high stakes; matchups are all across both the Eastern and Western Conferences. Most of the teams, such as the Chicago Blackhawks and Toronto Maple Leafs, will be trying to improve their position.

The Eastern Conference is set for a showdown as the Montreal Canadiens, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Ottawa Senators continue their push for playoff positions. The Ottawa Senators are all but assured of a wild-card spot, with a matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks at 7:00 PM EST, who will be joining the upcoming draft lottery. However, a win can keep them rolling into the off-season.

Every game is basically a final for the Columbus Blue Jackets. They have a glimmer of hope to get into the playoffs, and that means winning all of their remaining games, they need the Montreal Canadiens to lose against the Carolina Hurricanes. Currently, Columbus sits just behind by a few points and faces a challenging task ahead. Their opponents tonight are the Philadelphia Flyers, who are also fighting for a better draft position, at 7:30 PM EST.

Meanwhile, tonight, the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning are following suit toward a collision course that may very well see them play against each other in the postseason. These two teams are duking it out in the Atlantic Division, with the Lightning still just within reach of top placement via the Toronto Maple Leafs. A Panthers victory tonight at 8:00 PM EST would lift them up in the standings while adding a little flair for the other teams that are expected to be playoff foes in Florida.

The Western Conference is just as chaotic, and the Minnesota Wild are positioned very nicely, though their place in the playoffs is not guaranteed unless they win. Their game against the Anaheim Ducks tonight at 7:00 PM PST is critical, as losing could greatly complicate their path to the postseason. The Wild are currently tied for a wild-card spot with 95 points and are hoping for a little luck from other teams tonight.
Also Read: Los Angeles Kings vs Edmonton Oilers: Key stats and breakdown for Round 1
The St. Louis Blues and Calgary Flames are having a neck-and-neck battle for the wild-card spots boarding the playoff train. This afternoon, the Blues can secure their playoffs with a win over the Utah Hockey Club at 8:30 PM PST, whose season was cut short already.