The NHL schedule works in mysterious ways. Following a one-game Friday night — and ahead of a one-game Sunday — there are 15 games on the slate on Saturday, beginning with the Detroit Red Wings visiting the Florida Panthers (12:30 p.m. ET, NHL Network) and capped off by two 10 p.m. ET games: Los Angeles Kings at Calgary Flames (NHL Power Play on ESPN+) and Dallas Stars at Seattle Kraken (NHL Power Play on ESPN+).
Amid this busy day, to which matchups should hockey fans pay the most attention?
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There are two games where both teams are currently in playoff position. Following their first regulation loss since Feb. 15, the Nashville Predators are visiting the Colorado Avalanche (6 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+). There is a possible future where this is a first-round matchup. The Preds are the West’s first wild card right now, and the Avs are three points in back of the Stars for first in the Central. If that postseason clash doesn’t occur, it’s a possibility in Round 2 as well.
Our other “playoff team vs. playoff team” matchup pits the newly clinched Boston Bruins against the Washington Capitals (7 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+). If the current standings hold until the playoffs begin, this would not be an opening-round matchup. But if the Bruins overtake the New York Rangers as the East’s top seed, or if the Caps jump the Tampa Bay Lightning to be the first wild card — but not both — then it would be!
Speaking of the Lightning, they’ll host the New York Islanders (7 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+) in a contest that the visitors need quite a bit more than the hosts, as the Isles’ tragic number continues to dwindle.
Similarly, the Vegas Golden Knights are in position to deal a devastating blow to the Minnesota Wild’s postseason chances (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+/Hulu exclusive), as the Wild enter the game eight points behind the Kings for the West’s second wild card with 10 games remaining for each club.
As we traverse the final stretch of the…
Source link : https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/39834090/nhl-playoffs-bracket-standings-2024-wild-card-matchups-super-saturday
Author : ESPN staff
Publish date : 2024-03-30 12:16:18
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