Toronto head to Ottawa and more NHL Games of the Week
Saturday, March 21st – 7:00 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
Toronto Maple Leafs at Ottawa Senators
The Battle of Ontario is always full of drama, but this time around it’s a one-sided affair, as only the Senators still have a realistic shot at making the playoffs this spring. They’re in tough, having to climb past the likes of Columbus, Boston, and Detroit, so the two points for a win tonight are crucial. The Maple Leafs have shown some life since the season-ending injury to captain Auston Matthews, but they’re further back in the Eastern Conference playoff race than the Sens are.
Sunday, March 22nd – 10:00 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
Tampa Bay Lightning at Edmonton Oilers
Three of the best players in the world (Kucherov, McDavid and Draisaitl) under one roof is worthy of your attention…hold on…Leon Draisaitl will miss the rest of the regular season after being banged up in a recent game. He won’t require surgery, and the Oilers hope that the future Hall-of-Fame player will be back in time for the playoffs. Did you say playoffs? Yes, Edmonton should make the post-season cut, but where they finish in the underachieving Pacific Division remains to be seen. The Lightning have cooled off recently and have been passed for the top spot in the Atlantic by the Buffalo Sabres. But Tampa are still a threat to do something this spring.
Monday, March 23rd – 7:30 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
Ottawa Senators at New York Rangers
It’s been a lost season for the Rangers, who have tumbled to the depths of the Atlantic Ocean since being a powerhouse a mere two years ago. They’ve been winning some games as-of-late, as some of the younger players get their shot at playing. The Senators appear to be heading in the opposite direction, though better goaltending would probably have the Boys from Bytown sitting in an Eastern playoff parking spot right now, instead of having to scoreboard watch every night.
Tuesday, March 24th – 8:00 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 167
Vegas Golden Knights at Winnipeg Jets
Two disappointing teams this season, though the VGK play in the weak sister of the four NHL divisions, the Pacific. They’re still in the mix for a post-season spot, and still in the mix for the top spot in that division. The same cannot be said for the grounded Jets, who have to be ranked the most disappointing NHL team this season. After leading the entire league with 116 points last season, Winnipeg are struggling to get to the .500 mark. This is a talented roster, and many hockey observers expect the Jets to roar back to life next season.
Wednesday, March 25th – 7:00 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
Boston Bruins at Buffalo Sabres
What a season so far for both teams, especially when both were expected to miss the playoffs this April. Three weeks out, it looks like both clubs will be playing at least a little while longer come the middle of next month. The Sabres have been the positive story in the NHL this season, sitting in last place in the Eastern Conference as of (U.S.) Thanksgiving, then going on a complete tear to the point they’re leading the competitive Atlantic Division with just a month to go. Boston is fighting, most likely, for a wildcard in the East, though they could rise as high as the second spot in the Atlantic.
Thursday, March 26th – 7:00 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
Columbus Blue Jackets at Montreal Canadiens
It’s been a long grind for the Blue Jackets as they fight tooth and nail to get into the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Tonight, they take on a team that finished a mere two points ahead of the Jackets last season, and claimed the final Eastern wildcard spot. The Jackets have two entry points into the playoffs: the aforementioned Eastern wildcard or second- or third-place in the Metropolitan Division. Montreal has to be careful, as they don’t want to slip back into the wildcard dogfight. Two huge points (maybe three) on the table this evening.
Friday, March 27th – 7:00 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
Detroit Red Wings at Buffalo Sabres
Two of the refreshingly surprising teams in the tough Atlantic Division can they both close the deal and seal post-season invitations for the first time in years? The Red Wings have sat out the past nine Stanley Cup Playoffs, while the Sabres have been sitting on the sidelines (bench) for 14 long years. Tonight’s two points will go a long way to shoring up their 2026 postseason credentials and will also help determine who plays whom in the first round. Detroit have had to battle some key injuries recently, and the playoffs no longer appear to be a given.
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