After two hectic nights of hockey with all kinds of Stanley Cup Playoffs implications, just three games are on the NHL schedule on Wednesday — with two having an impact on the post-season.
But we could finalize the playoff field in the early game as the countdown continues to Monday’s start of the playoffs.
Here’s a look at Wednesday’s games affecting the playoffs, along with a preview of what to expect Thursday.
Montreal at New York Islanders, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT, Sportsnet ONE / SN NOW
Things looked bleak for the Islanders when they were upset by the Washington Capitals on Monday.
But that all changed Tuesday when the Pittsburgh Penguins gave the Islanders their playoff lifeline back by losing to the lowly Chicago Blackhawks.
Now all the Islanders have to do to earn a final playoff spot is get a point against an injury-riddled, not-very-good Montreal Canadiens team in their season finale. It also would end the Penguins’ 16-year playoff streak, the longest active streak in the NHL.
If the Islanders lose in regulation, the Penguins can sneak into the playoffs by beating the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday.
Dallas at St. Louis, 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT
The Stars are still very much alive in the race for the Central Division crown after the Colorado Avalanche lost in overtime against the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday.
The Stars are one point back of the Avs, and each team has two games left. Dallas owns the tiebreaker.
Dallas has another game against out-of-contention St. Louis at home to wrap up its schedule on Thursday, while the Avalanche host the playoff-bound Winnipeg Jets on Thursday and visit the ousted Nashville Predators in the final game on the schedule on Friday.
Looking Ahead
Only one playoff matchup — the Toronto Maple Leafs versus the Tampa Bay Lightning — is locked in, so plenty will be up for grabs on a 15-game Thursday and two-game Friday to conclude the schedule.
Good storylines on Thursday include the fight to avoid the record-setting Boston Bruins in the first round (the Florida Panthers, Islanders or Penguins will be looking to stay out of the second wild-card spot in the East), along with conclusions to the races for the Metropolitan and Pacific division titles.
The Carolina Hurricanes (in Florida) and Vegas Golden Knights (in Seattle) will be division champs with wins, but the New Jersey Devils (in Washington) Edmonton Oilers (hosting San Jose) are lurking and have easier matchups.
The Hurricanes-Panthers game could be particularly interesting if the Islanders win Wednesday. That would put Florida one point behind New York in the battle to avoid Boston.
The Devils are only one point behind the Hurricanes and own the tiebreaker.
The red-hot Oilers need a win and a Golden Knights loss in regulation to overtake Vegas and earn the top seed in the Western Conference.
The top seed will face Winnipeg in the first round.
