Colorado and Dallas could be playoff preview + more NHL Games of the Week
Saturday, April 4th – 3:00 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
Colorado Avalanche at Dallas Stars
What’s not to like about this matchup? It could be a preview of a second-round playoff matchup this spring. Even if it’s not, it’s a meeting of two of the top Battleship teams this season in the NHL. Are they not currently the top two favourites to win it all in late June? Most likely, both teams will have to deal with each other in the second round. However it all works out, it should provide entertaining hockey.
Sunday, April 5th – 1:00 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
Minnesota Wild at Detroit Red Wings
Collars are getting tight in the Motor City. Back in January, the Red Wings were one of the top teams in the entire league. Since then, they’ve been one of the least successful teams. That has returned Detroit to the muddled mess that is the playoff dogfight in the competitive Eastern Conference. This afternoon, they welcome in a Wild team that looks like they’re carved out third place in the Central Division, just far enough ahead of Utah, and just far enough behind Dallas.
Monday, April 6th – 7:00 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
Tampa Bay Lightning at Buffalo Sabres
A battle for first place in the tough Atlantic Division. The Lightning have overcome a myriad of key injuries this season, and their Hall-of-Fame veterans have summoned the magic of 2000 and 2001. The Sabres are the surprise entry here, finally showing up after 14 years of wandering through the Western New York wilderness. They are the real Easter Bunny, hop-hop. About time, and Buffalo fans can’t wait for the playoffs to get underway. Most likely, these two teams end up 1-2 in the Atlantic, though Montreal and Boston could still crash that party.
Tuesday, April 7th – 7:00 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
Florida Panthers at Montreal Canadiens
Speaking of Montreal, they have been fire engine red hot since the league returned from the Olympic break, but they can’t shake the equally impressive Boston Bruins. Les Canadiens most likely will finish either third in the Atlantic or slip back into a wildcard spot. But with everything bunched up in the East, now’s not the time to relax. Tonight, the Habs play host to the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions who will miss the playoff cut this year, thanks to a toxic soup of key injuries and underperforming veterans. Still, the Panthers could easily be back in the postseason mix this time next year.
Wednesday, April 8th – 10:00 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
Edmonton Oilers at San Jose Sharks
Can the young Sharks defy expectations and qualify for the playoffs in the Western Conference? It doesn’t look good, but even if they miss the cut, the rebuilding San Jose team have already exceeded expectations, and the future looks very bright indeed. As for the Oilers, their time is now, as exhibited by their two very close runs to the Stanley Cup Final the past two springs. What about this time around? The top three teams in the Central are the best in the West (if not the entire NHL), so the path to the Western Conference Final should be easier through the Pacific Division kitchen. Ever get the feeling the Oilers are either one-and-done in the playoffs, or on their way yet again to the Conference Final?
Thursday, April 9th – 10:30 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
Vancouver Canucks at Los Angeles Kings
No playoffs this season for the Canucks, who were the first NHL team to be officially eliminated. But what about the Kings? As we type these very words, Los Angeles is still in the middle of the muddy mix for the final Western wildcard. If you survive that late afternoon traffic jam, your reward will (most likely) be a first-round playoff matchup with the Colorado Avalanche. Congratulations on your win. But hey…just get into the playoffs, right?
Friday, April 10th – NO GAMES SCHEDULED
A rare quiet night in the NHL. There were 13 games last night, and 15 to choose from tomorrow. The 2025-26 NHL regular season concludes with 6 games this upcoming Thursday evening. So tonight, get to know the family again, take up a new hobby, or catch up on some much-needed sleep. Because the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs are right around the corner.
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