NHL Games of the Week: Saturday, April 2 – Friday, April 8

Mick Kern
April 1, 2022

Saturday, April 2^nd – 10 pm ET

St. Louis Blues at Calgary Flames

Unless they really hit a bad patch of ice, the Blues are heading back to the NHL post-season. The question is where will they finish in the standings, and which team will they face in early May in the opening round of the Stanely Cup Playoffs. It could be the Calgary Flames, who appear to have the Pacific Division crown all wrapped up…unless they hit a bad patch of ice.

Sunday, April 3^rd – 7 pm ET

Vegas Golden Knights at Vancouver Canucks

With time running out on the 2021-22 NHL regular season, both these teams are fighting tooth and nail to qualify for the 2021-22 NHL playoffs. The oft-injured Golden Knights stand the better chance, but they might need some help from other teams. The Canucks look like they just might miss the post-season cut by a slim margin.

Monday, April 4^th – 7:30 pm ET

Toronto Maple Leafs at Tampa Bay Lightning

It’s a battle for second place in the Atlantic Division, though both of these teams could still end up finishing first over in that bracket. Or they could end up meeting each other in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Whichever way the hockey fates decide to go, these are two top-notch teams who know the post-season is right around the corner. The Lightning have captured the Stanley Cup the past two seasons; the Maple Leafs haven’t won a playoff series since 2004.

Tuesday, April 5^th – 10:30 pm ET

Edmonton Oilers at San Jose Sharks

With superstar forwards Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl once again enjoying stellar seasons, the Oilers look to be in good position to participate in the upcoming playoffs. The big questions will revolve around the depth of the team, and (let’s face it) the state of their goaltending. As for the Sharks, they won’t be playing into the month of May this time around, and look towards next season in order to keep improving.

Wednesday, April 6^th – 7:30 pm ET

Detroit Red Wings at Winnipeg Jets

While the young Red Wings will have their day in the seasons to come, right now they provide a real test to the desperate Jets, who are life-and-death to make the playoffs in the Western Conference. Unfortunately, Winnipeg will have to not only win the vast majority of their games remaining but also hope they get some help in the standings from other teams.

Thursday, April 7^th – 7:00 pm ET

Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Rangers

A battle for second place in the Metropolitan Division, this one is also shaping up as a delicious preview of the first round of the upcoming Stanely Cup Playoffs. Many believe the Rangers made just enough moves at the recent NHL Trade Deadline in order to make a deep run in the post-season, and most hockey observers have learned by now not to be so quick as to count out the Penguins.

Friday, April 8^th – 7 pm ET

Boston Bruins at Tampa Bay Lightning

The Bruins have been for fire for the past couple of months, and that has pulled them into the tight four-team race that is the Atlantic Division. Tonight, they face a Lightning team that knows by now what it takes to win it all. While nobody will probably catch the Florida Panthers for the division crown, gaining home-ice advantage in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is still a goal worth pursuing.