Wildcards, winddowns, and the last week of the regular NHL season

Saturday, April 8^th – 10 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
Calgary Flames at Vancouver Canucks

It’s been a disappointing season for both these Pacific Division teams, with many expecting the Flames to challenge for the top spot in the group while the Canucks were looking to build on a promising end to last season.  Instead, Calgary has been scuffling to grab one of the two wildcard spots in the West while the Canucks changed coaches and again are looking to build on a promising end to this season.

Sunday, April 9^th – 6 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
Boston Bruins at Philadelphia Flyers

It’s been a regular season to remember for the Bruins.  It’s been a regular season going nowhere for the Flyers.  They’re hoping the future looks brighter as they wind down the 2022-23 campaign.  Boston hopes this is just the start of something wonderful as they get set for their opening playoff round in the upcoming Stanley Cup Playoffs.  Because they know no matter how impressive the past six months have been, the Bruins will ultimately be judged by how they fare in the post-season.  Stanley Cup or bust.

Monday, April 10^th – 7 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
New York Islanders at Washington Capitals

The Islanders have been fighting for a wildcard spot seemingly for at least half the season, and while the Capitals have also been involved in that multi-team Eastern Conference dogfight, there are many who believe it’s time for the 2018 Stanley Cup Champions are begin again, as they will not make the post-season cut for the first time in 8 seasons.

Tuesday, April 11^th – 7 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
Toronto Maple Leafs at Tampa Bay Lightning

This is a for sure, no doubt about it, a preview of the upcoming first-round Stanley Cup playoff series between these two Atlantic Division rivals.  Last spring, the Lightning took seven games to eliminate the Maple Leafs.  Most observers expect another close series beginning next week.  Enjoy the preview.

Wednesday, April 12^th – 10 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
San Jose Sharks at Calgary Flames

Not this year for the Sharks, despite a highly impressive season by veteran defenceman Erik Karlsson.  It has been anything but an impressive season for the Flames, who have lost more games this season by one goal than any other team in the league.

Thursday, April 13^th – 10 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
Vegas Golden Knights at Seattle Kraken

The second-year Kraken have been impressive, and now they’ll get to experience the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time.  Tonight they play host to a Golden Knights team who know all about getting to the post-season ahead of schedule.  The Knights went all the way to the 2018 Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural year, eventually falling in five games to the Washington Capitals.  This time around, Vegas have been in contention for top spot in the topsy turvy Pacific Division.

Friday, April 14^th – 8 pm Eastern – SiriusXM 91
Colorado Avalanche at Nashville Predators

The final night of action in the NHL 2022-23 regular season features two games, including the defending Stanley Cup Champion Avalanche in Nashville to do battle with a Predators team that has been battling seemingly for months now to secure a wildcard position in the Western Conference.  Colorado had to contend with a myriad of long-term injuries to key players over the past six months, but have most hands-on-deck as they ready their Cup defence.