All seven Canadian teams are in action today, and draft positioning is on the line!
After falling behind 4-0 just past the midway point of the first, the Winnipeg Jets came back to get within one last night, but ultimately surrendered a late goal to the Carolina Hurricanes.
The Arizona Coyotes got up to a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes, and were tied 2-2 after two periods, but surrendered three third-period goals in a 5-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks.
Columbus got two goals from William Karlsson to come back from an early deficit in a regulation win over the Calgary Flames.
The Blue Jackets‘ win now gives them 47 points through 54 games, and moves them into a six-way tie for last overall. That means Montreal’s 52-point total is closer to 30th overall (five points) than they are to the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference (six points back of New Jersey’s 58).
The project will focus on any team currently sitting more than one spot outside of a playoff position. Here are today’s games featuring the teams meeting that criterion:
1:00 PM EST / 10:00 AM PST
Philadelphia Flyers
Visitors: New York Rangers
Record: 23-18-8
Position: 11th in Eastern Conference; 20th overall
Ideal result: Overtime win for PHI
How to watch: GameCentre Live/NHL.tv
The Flyers are on a late-season charge, and will be looking to extend their win streak to four games versus the visiting Rangers this afternoon. They probably won’t be part of this series for much longer.
2:00 PM EST / 11:00 AM PST
Edmonton Oilers @ Montreal Canadiens
Records: EDM: 21-26-5 / MTL: 24-24-4
Positions: EDM: 14th in West; 29th overall / MTL: 12th in East; 23rd overall
Ideal result (for the tank, that is): Alex Galchenyuk scores all three Habs goals, but Connor McDavid scores five
How to watch: CBC; Sportsnet E/O/W/P/Now; RDS; GameCentre Live/NHL.tv (Free)
Be sure to check out our preview of the first game of the Hockey Day in Canada triple-header, and follow along in our game thread (though please be respectful to those holding out hope for a playoff berth).
7:00 PM EST / 4:00 PM PST
Buffalo Sabres
Host: Boston Bruins
Record: 21-26-5
Position: 15th in Eastern Conference; 28th overall
Ideal result: 16-0 win for BUF
How to watch: BellTV
The Sabres took one point from the Bruins in their meeting on Friday. They will want revenge in the rematch tonight.
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Ottawa Senators
Records: TOR: 19-22-9 / OTT: 23-23-6
Positions: TOR: 14th in East; 26th overall / OTT: 13th in East; 24th overall
Ideal result: P.-A. Parenteau scores overtime winner
How to watch: CBC; Sportsnet E/O/W/P/Now; TVA Sports; GameCentre Live/NHL.tv (Free)
The Battle of Ontario will pit a Toronto team that is unable to score goals against an Ottawa side incapable of preventing them. What happens when a stoppable force meets a movable object? It should be a riveting affair in the nation’s capital: Kanata.
10:00 PM EST / 7:00 PM PST
Calgary Flames @ Vancouver Canucks
Records: CGY: 22-25-3 / VAN: 20-19-12
Positions: CGY: 12th in West; 25th overall / VAN: 11th in West / 22nd overall
Ideal result: Overtime win for CGY
How to watch: CBC; GameCentre Live/NHL.tv (Free)
The third and final all-Canadian, all-lottery matchup of Hockey Day in Canada sees the Canucks welcoming the Flames into Rogers Arena. Both teams are coming off losses to the worst team in the league, and can only go up from there.
Winnipeg Jets
Host: Colorado Avalanche
Record: 22-26-3
Position: 13th in West; 27th overall
Ideal result: Semyon Varlamov is pulled after allowing six goals on six shots, Jets find a way to hang on to the lead
How to watch: Sportsnet E/O/W/P/Now
The Jets had a valiant comeback effort against the Hurricanes, but were unable to climb out of the massive hole they found themselves in early on. The team will be more determined to get off to a good start after that performance.
