New York Rangers at Pittsburgh Penguins
A battle of NHL Metropolitan Division foes, this game could be a preview of a first-round playoff series this upcoming spring. Who ya got? A lot of factors will change over the course of the next two months, but if that series occurs, what transpires this evening will be under the microscope heading into that battle.
Edmonton Oilers at Carolina Hurricanes
These former World Hockey Association clubs met up in the 2006 Stanley Cup Final (won by the Canes in 7), and while nobody is suggesting this is a preview of the 2022 Cup Final, the Oilers have been playing much better hockey as of late, which has them firmly back in the middle of the muddle for a post-season spot in the topsy turvy Pacific Division. Carolina could have printed their playoff tickets months ago, and now it’s more a question of where they’ll finish in the Metropolitan Division.
Boston Bruins at Los Angeles Kings
A couple of weeks ago, with the retirement of goaltender Tuukka Rask, and the injury to Patrice Bergeron, some felt the Bruins might slip back into the mushy middle in the Eastern Conference. Their play since then has been inconsistent, but a recent big win over the Colorado Avalanche has assured B’s fan that they’re not dead yet. In the West, the Kings are either going to finish as high as 3rd in the Pacific Division, grab one of the two available wildcard spots, or just miss the post-season cut. Hang on. Here comes March.
San Jose Sharks at Vegas Golden Knights
While the Sharks are still hanging around the perimeter of the Western Conference playoff picture, the odds are they won’t be involved in extracurricular play this time around. But they’ve surprised a lot of people with their play this season. The Knights were expected to stroll to the throne in the Pacific Division, but injuries (and the Calgary Flames) have so far hampered that coronation.
Buffalo Sabres at Toronto Maple Leafs
They meet up again in 11 days in Hamilton, Ontario, outdoors at the home of the CFL Tiger-Cats, so this game tonight up the road serves as an appetizer. The Leafs are one of the powers in the Atlantic Division, while the Sabres are suffering through yet another year in the seemingly endless cycle of rebuild/retool.
Pittsburgh Penguins at Tampa Bay Lightning
Two of the league’s battleship teams go at it this evening in Florida, and while both squads are pretty much guaranteed a playoff spot when the post-season gets going in two months’ time, the two points up for grabs this early March evening will go a long way to deciding whom faces whom in the first round.
Vegas Golden Knights at Anaheim Ducks
While the Golden Knights look to catch the red-hot Calgary Flames, the Ducks are looking to catch the Kings, or Oilers, or Predators, for one of the Western Conference wildcards. While making the playoffs this time around would be a victory onto itself, and more than a minor surprise, it’s all about the future for these young Ducks…and the future looks very bright.
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