Friday’s NHL action was all about the achievements of Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin, who scored twice to tie Wayne Gretzky’s goal record.
Otherwise, there was little impact on the postseason picture, with no team having a chance to clinch or move in or out of a playoff position.
That will change on Saturday as the Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers and Los Angeles Kings can clinch (see below).
In addition, the Kings (95 points) and Edmonton Oilers (93) play in a Pacific Division game that will have a big impact on who gets home-ice advantage if they meet again in the first round.
In the tightening Central Division title race, the Winnipeg Jets (108) and Dallas Stars (104) are both in action. Dallas has won seven in a row and has a game in hand.
The Montreal Canadiens (81), New York Rangers (79) and Columbus Blue Jackets (77) are in action in the tight Eastern Conference wild-card race.
The St. Louis Blues, playing the Colorado Avalanche, can extend their winning streak to a franchise-record 12 games and put distance between them and the idle Minnesota Wild in the race for the West’s first wild-card spot.
The NHL playoff standings are a jumble with many teams in contention. Here’s a look at the playoff picture:
Eastern Conference: Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs, Tampa Bay Lightning
Western Conference: Winnipeg Jets, Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, Vegas Golden Knights
(as of April 4)
Metropolitan Division
Atlantic Division
Wild card
Sitting outside playoff position:New York Rangers (79), Columbus Blue Jackets (77), Detroit Red Wings (77), New York Islanders (76), Pittsburgh Penguins (72), Philadelphia Flyers (71), Buffalo Sabres (70), Boston Bruins (69)
(as of April 4)
Central Division
Pacific Division
Wild card
Sitting outside playoff spot: Calgary Flames (84), Vancouver Canucks (81), Utah Hockey Club (80), z-Anaheim Ducks (74), z-Seattle Kraken (70), z-Nashville Predators (62), z-Chicago Blackhawks (52), z-San Jose Sharks (50)
x-clinched playoff spot; z-eliminated
Here is how the Eastern Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended April 4:
Key: M – Metropolitan Division. A – Atlantic Division. WC – wild card
The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth.
Here is how the Western Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended April 4:
Key: C – Central Division P – Pacific Division. WC – wild card
The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth.
The NHL regular season is scheduled to end on Thursday, April 17, with seven games.
The NHL’s Stanley Cup playoffs are scheduled to begin on Saturday, April 19.
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