An unwanted point for the Montreal Canadiens’ lottery effort was enough to propel them up another spot in the standings, now sitting 22nd. When you play the game of tanks, even if you don’t win it’s very hard to die.
The Arizona Coyotes were the victim of that jump, after their 3-2 loss to the Washington Capitals; the second straight defeat for a team that is falling behind in the playoff race.
The Columbus Blue Jackets improved on the overtime loss at the hands of the Bruins a week prior by beating them 6-4 in regulation, adding to their ROW column in the process.
The Blue Jackets are an impressive 7-2-2 in their last eleven games, dating back to their first of back-to-back wins versus Montreal just before the All-Star Break.
Nine of the twelve teams that sit more than one position outside the playoffs have games tonight, so there could be lots of movement in the race for last place.
7:00 PM EST / 4:00 PM PST
Philadelphia Flyers @ Carolina Hurricanes
Records: PHI: 26-21-11 / CAR: 27-23-10
Positions: PHI: 11th in Eastern Conference; 20th overall / CAR: 10th in East; 19th overall
Ideal result: While an overtime win by PHI would increase the gaps to Montreal the most, an extra-time victory for CAR would be a better long-term result
How to watch: GameCentre Live/NHL.tv
Two teams that have been on the cusp of cracking into the top eight seeds since this project began, one of the Flyers and Hurricanes is guaranteed to get two points closer to that goal. A win can move either team into ninth spot, if the Devils lose the other 7 PM ET start of the night.
7:30 PM EST / 4:30 PM PST
Toronto Maple Leafs
Visitors: Nashville Predators
Record: 20-27-10
Position: 16th in East; 29th overall
Ideal result: NSH plays even more poorly than they did last night, forcing the Leafs into two points
How to watch: TSN4 (Leafs region)
After a poor showing last night that wasn’t enough to knock off a listless Montreal squad, the Predators might be more eager to get the win over the 30th-overall Maple Leafs. Perhaps the Leafs will be determined not to be an easy rebound mark for the Preds.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Host: Detroit Red Wings
Record: 24-29-7
Position: 15th in East; 27th overall
Ideal result: Overtime win for CBJ
How to watch: GameCentre Live/NHL.tv
Arizona Coyotes
Host: Tampa Bay Lightning
Record: 27-26-6
Position: 10th in Western Conference; 23rd overall
Ideal result: Overtime win for ARI
How to watch: GameCentre Live/NHL.tv
8:00 PM EST / 5:00 PM PST
Winnipeg Jets
Visitors: Dallas Stars
Record: 25-29-4
Position: 13th in West; 28th overall
Ideal result: Win for WPG
How to watch: TSN3 (Jets region)
The Jets ar now alone in 28th spot, after a Habs-esque freefall down the Western Conference standings. A regulation loss combined with wins by Edmonton and Toronto (right…) will have them just two points up on 30th overall.
9:00 PM EST / 6:00 PM PST
Ottawa Senators @ Edmonton Oilers
Records: OTT: 28-26-6 / EDM: 22-32-6
Positions: OTT: 12th in East; 21st overall / EDM: 14th in West; 30th overall
Ideal result: Overtime win for EDM
How to watch: RDS, TSN5 (Senators region), Sportsnet West (Oilers region)
The second and final all-lottery matchup of the night pits two Canadian teams against one another. The Oilers are in last place, and very happy to stay there. If the Senators manage to run their win streak to four games, the Oilers will do just that.
10:30 PM EST / 7:30 PM PST
Calgary Flames
Host: Los Angeles Kings
Record: 26-29-3
Position: 12th in West; 25th overall
Ideal result: Win for CGY
How to watch: Sportsnet Flames (Flames region)
