Preview Roundups
April 06, 2019
Tampa Bay at Boston 1:00 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Lightning have their focus clearly on the playoffs ahead, but they can make some history in the final contest of the regular season when they complete a four-game road trip Saturday afternoon against the Boston Bruins. The Lightning boast 61 wins, one shy of the single-season NHL record set by the Detroit Red Wings in 1995-96, after knocking off Toronto 3-1 on Thursday.
Vancouver at St. Louis 4:00 PM ET
The St. Louis Blues owned the fewest points in the NHL 48 hours into the new calendar year and appeared to be a sure bet to miss the playoffs for a second consecutive season. However, not only have the Blues barged their way into the postseason, they have a chance to win the Central Division title when they host the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday.
Toronto at Montreal 7:00 PM ET
The Montreal Canadiens found themselves without a seat in a three-team version of musical chairs for the final two playoff spots in the Eastern Conference. With little more than pride on the line, the Canadiens are left to face the music in their season finale at the Bell Centre against the Original Six-rival Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night.
Columbus at Ottawa 7:00 PM ET
With a playoff berth finally secured, the Columbus Blue Jackets have one last chance to avoid facing the NHL's top team in the first round. Columbus will have its sights set on the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference when it visits the Ottawa Senators on Saturday in the regular-season finale for both teams.
Buffalo at Detroit 7:00 PM ET
Despite a franchise record-tying 10-game winning streak in November, it has been another lost campaign for the Buffalo Sabres, who now own the NHL's longest active playoff drought at eight seasons. The Sabres will try to post back-to-back wins for the first time since Dec. 11-13 when they end the regular season at the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night.
New Jersey at Florida 7:00 PM ET
Disappointment once again is the storyline for the Florida Panthers, who have missed the playoffs in 16 of 18 seasons dating to the 2000-01 campaign. The Panthers, who are locked into fifth place in the Atlantic Division, will try to end 2018-19 on a high note when they host the lowly New Jersey Devils in Saturday night's regular-season finale.
Carolina at Philadelphia 7:00 PM ET
The Carolina Hurricanes can provide the exclamation point to a magical regular season on Saturday night as they visit the City of Brotherly Love vying for a sweep of the free-falling Philadelphia Flyers. The Hurricanes likely will still be riding an emotional high after clinching their first playoff berth since the 2008-09 season following Thursday's 3-1 victory over New Jersey.
NY Rangers at Pittsburgh 7:00 PM ET
The Pittsburgh Penguins still have some important work to do after clinching a playoff spot for the 13th straight campaign when they finish the regular season against the visiting New York Rangers on Saturday. The Penguins need a victory to secure a matchup with the New York Islanders in the first round of the playoffs next week, but a loss could drop them into a series against reigning Stanley Cup champion Washington.
NY Islanders at Washington 7:00 PM ET
The New York Islanders' bid for their first division title since the 1987-88 season pretty much went by the boards after the team lost six of 11 decisions to begin the month of March. The Islanders have since won five of their last seven and can secure home-ice advantage for their upcoming first-round series should they secure a point in Saturday's season finale against the host Washington Capitals.
Chicago at Nashville 8:00 PM ET
The Chicago Blackhawks are not content with going through the motions despite missing the playoffs for the second straight season. One night after preventing a team from securing a favorable postseason position, Chicago aims to do the same when they visit the Nashville Predators on Saturday for the regular-season finale for both teams.
Minnesota at Dallas 8:00 PM ET
The Dallas Stars already have qualified for the playoffs, but their first-round opponent still is to be determined as they host the Minnesota Wild on Saturday to close the curtain on the regular season. Dallas had a chance to secure the top wild-card seed in the Western Conference on Friday but lost at Chicago 6-1 and needs one point or any type of loss by Colorado to finish ahead of the Avalanche.
Winnipeg at Arizona 10:00 PM ET
The Winnipeg Jets enter Saturday’s regular-season finale at the Arizona Coyotes trying to shake a late stumble that has cost them first place in the Central Division. Losses in five of their past six games have dropped the Jets one point behind Nashville in the division race and into a tie with St. Louis for second place after blowing an early 2-0 advantage in Thursday’s 3-2 overtime loss at Colorado.
Edmonton at Calgary 10:00 PM ET
Provincial pride is the only thing on the line in the season's final edition of the Battle of Alberta, but the Calgary Flames have bigger things looming on the horizon. Having already wrapped up the Pacific Division title and the top seed in the Western Conference, the Flames close the regular season against the visiting Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night.
Vegas at Los Angeles 10:30 PM ET
The Vegas Golden Knights are the reigning Western Conference champions, but they'll need to improve their play if they hope to have a chance to repeat. Vegas looks to end the regular season on a high note when it visits the conference-worst Los Angeles Kings on Saturday.
Colorado at San Jose 10:30 PM ET
The Colorado Avalanche and San Jose Sharks are riding distinctly different waves of momentum heading into the postseason, with the former riding a 10-game point streak (8-0-2) to secure its second straight playoff appearance. The Avalanche aim to keep rolling along in the season finale on Saturday when they visit the Sharks, who had dropped nine of their 10 (1-8-1) before winning their last outing.