Showdown Saturday: NHL’s 14-Game Extravaganza
Hockey fans, brace yourselves for a thrilling Saturday in the NHL, where 14 games are set to unfold, offering something for everyone. The action kicks off at 1 p.m. ET and wraps up with the final faceoff at 10:30 p.m. ET. With so much at stake, let’s dive into what’s on the line for each matchup.
Vancouver Canucks at New York Rangers
1 p.m., NHL Network
The Vancouver Canucks are in a precarious position, having slipped out of the second wild-card spot in the West after a loss to the Blues. However, a win against the New York Rangers could see them leapfrog back into contention, at least temporarily. The Rangers, on the other hand, are fighting to avoid becoming just the fourth team to miss the playoffs after winning the Presidents’ Trophy, a fate that befell the 2014-15 Bruins, 2007-08 Sabres, and 1993-94 Rangers.
Philadelphia Flyers at Dallas Stars
2 p.m., ESPN+
The Philadelphia Flyers have long since departed the playoff train, but they are keen to maintain a strong position in the draft lottery standings. Meanwhile, the Dallas Stars are 10 points and three regulation wins behind the Jets for first place in the Central Division, with two games in hand. Winning games like this one is crucial for their division title aspirations.
Buffalo Sabres at Minnesota Wild
2 p.m., ESPN+
For the Buffalo Sabres, it’s another spring without postseason action, but hope springs eternal for the end of their never-ending rebuild next season. The Minnesota Wild are currently holding the first wild-card position in the West, four points behind the Avalanche for third in the Central, but six points ahead of the Blues. Can they make a move up the standings?
Chicago Blackhawks at St. Louis Blues
3 p.m., ESPN+
The St. Louis Blues have a very favorable strength of schedule down the stretch, and this game against the Chicago Blackhawks is part of that. The Blackhawks, led by Connor Bedard, are officially eliminated from playoff contention and are now jockeying for lottery position.
Calgary Flames at New York Islanders
4 p.m., ESPN+
The Calgary Flames are aiming for a clean sweep of all three NYC metro teams as they remain on the periphery of the Western wild-card race, thanks in large part to rookie goalie Dustin Wolf. The New York Islanders have quietly crept back into the Eastern wild-card race, just two points behind the Canadiens, who currently hold the final spot.
Carolina Hurricanes at Los Angeles Kings
4 p.m., ESPN+
Both the Carolina Hurricanes and Los Angeles Kings are likely playoff-bound, barring a monumental collapse. Each team has faced challenges in recent seasons, but wouldn’t it be exciting to see them face off in the Stanley Cup Final?
Florida Panthers at Washington Capitals
5 p.m., ESPN+
The Florida Panthers are looking to keep their streak of Stanley Cup Final appearances alive this spring, and perhaps even win it again, sparking a dynasty debate. They sit atop the Atlantic Division and could be on a collision course with the likely Metro champ Capitals in the conference finals. Meanwhile, Alex Ovechkin continues his pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s goal-scoring record, and the Capitals have officially clinched a playoff berth.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Utah Hockey Club
5 p.m., ESPN+
The Tampa Bay Lightning have made strategic additions at the trade deadline, including Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand, as they aim to continue their playoff streak. The Utah Hockey Club, in their inaugural season, are four points behind the Blues for the second Western wild card.
Colorado Avalanche at Montreal Canadiens
7 p.m., ESPN+
The Colorado Avalanche are expected to make the postseason, despite some early-season struggles. The Montreal Canadiens, surprisingly, hold a wild-card spot this late in the season, making every point crucial from here on out.
Ottawa Senators at New Jersey Devils
7 p.m., ESPN+
The Ottawa Senators last made the playoffs when they reached the conference finals. If they were to face the New Jersey Devils in a series, it would be in that round. The Devils have been dealing with injuries to key players like Jack Hughes, Dougie Hamilton, and Jonas Siegenthaler, but they remain in the Metro’s No. 3 position.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Nashville Predators
7 p.m., ESPN+
The Nashville Predators are likely calculating their draft lottery odds, while the Toronto Maple Leafs are pushing for the No. 1 seed in the Atlantic Division bracket. They are tied in points with the Panthers but have one fewer regulation win.
Detroit Red Wings at Vegas Golden Knights
8 p.m., ABC/ESPN+
The Detroit Red Wings, led by Dylan Larkin, have fallen off the playoff pace but remain four points back of the Canadiens. The Vegas Golden Knights are looking to increase their lead in the Pacific Division over the Oilers.
Seattle Kraken at Edmonton Oilers
10 p.m., ESPN+
The Edmonton Oilers have largely avoided the Stanley Cup runner-up hangover this season. They are considering their playoff matchup options, while the Seattle Kraken are using this game as a measuring stick for their future roster.
Boston Bruins at San Jose Sharks
10:30 p.m., ESPN+
Once a game with major postseason implications, this matchup now sees the San Jose Sharks eliminated from playoff contention and the Boston Bruins clinging to slim playoff hopes. They’ll need a hot streak and some help from other teams to make it.
As we approach the final stretch of the regular season, the NHL playoff watch will keep you updated on all the playoff races and the teams jockeying for position in the 2025 NHL draft lottery. Stay tuned for all the action!
Originally Written by: ESPN staff
