NHL Previews Today

Boston at 43-27-10 with 96 points has clinched the WC2 spot in the Eastern Conference, and the Bruins can finally breathe after an absolutely harrowing stretch that saw their playoff position in genuine jeopardy. That 5-game losing streak earlier this month had the entire hockey world wondering if the Bruins were going to completely collapse down the stretch, and the fact that they righted the ship and secured their spot speaks to the character in that locker room. Now the question becomes: how do the Bruins approach these final regular season games? Do they rest key players and start preparing for the first round, or do they try to build momentum heading into the postseason?

New Jersey at 40-36-3 with 83 points has been eliminated from playoff contention, and the Devils' season has been a story of unfulfilled potential. The loss of Jacob Markstrom in net was devastating to New Jersey's playoff hopes, and the team never fully recovered from losing their number one goalie. The +110 moneyline makes the Devils a moderate underdog, and that price reflects the reality that an eliminated team visiting a playoff-bound opponent in a hostile building is going to face an uphill battle. New Jersey still has offensive talent that can create problems, Jack Hughes and the Devils' top six can score on anyone, but the overall structure and defensive consistency simply haven't been there consistently enough this season.

TD Garden should have a different feel tonight compared to those tense games during Boston's losing streak. The Bruins' fans know their team is in the playoffs, and there's a sense of relief and renewed optimism in the building. Boston's home record has been strong all season, and the Bruins tend to play their best hockey in front of the Garden crowd. The -130 moneyline is a very reasonable price for Boston in this spot, and the 6.5 total suggests the market expects some offense from both sides. New Jersey's defensive structure without playoff motivation can get sloppy, and Boston's top line has been finding its groove again after the recent rough patch.

The playoff implications here are entirely one-sided, and that asymmetry tends to show up on the ice. Boston will be looking to establish the kind of habits and patterns they want to carry into the first round, while New Jersey is essentially playing exhibition hockey at this point. The Devils' young players will compete because there are roster spots and contract negotiations at stake, but the urgency factor is completely lopsided. For Boston, this is about building confidence, getting the power play clicking, and making sure their goaltending is sharp heading into a postseason where every save matters. The Bruins should handle business here and carry some positive momentum into the final days of the regular season.

Carolina visiting the Islanders at UBS Arena is the kind of late-season Eastern Conference matchup that could easily be a first-round playoff preview. The Hurricanes have been one of the best teams in the NHL all season long, and their position atop the Eastern Conference standings reflects the depth, goaltending, and coaching that have made Carolina a perennial contender. The +100 moneyline as a road underdog might seem surprising for a team of Carolina's caliber, but UBS Arena has been an absolute fortress for the Islanders, and the home ice advantage in Elmont is very real. The Canes won't be rattled by the environment, but the Islanders feed off their crowd, and when the building is rocking, New York plays a heavier, more physical brand of hockey that can frustrate even the most skilled opponents.

The Islanders have been chasing a Metro playoff spot all season, and every game down the stretch feels like a must-win. The -120 moneyline makes New York a slight favorite at home, and that price is backed by the Islanders' excellent home record and the goaltending of Ilya Sorokin, who has been the backbone of everything New York does defensively. Sorokin has the ability to steal games against elite competition, and in a building where the Islanders limit space and play a tight-checking, physical style, he doesn't need to face 40 shots to keep his team in it. The Islanders' system is designed to frustrate, and Carolina will need to be patient and disciplined to break through.

The 6.5 total is interesting for a game featuring two defensively responsible teams. Carolina's goaltending tandem has been excellent, and the Hurricanes' defensive structure under Rod Brind'Amour is among the best in the league. When you combine that with the Islanders' commitment to keeping things tight, you'd expect a lower-scoring affair. But both teams also have the offensive weapons to produce in bursts, and a power play opportunity or two can change the complexion of a game like this in a heartbeat. The total could go either way depending on the game's flow, but don't be surprised if this one stays tight through two periods before opening up late.

For Carolina, these final regular season games are about fine-tuning and making sure the group is locked in for what promises to be a deep playoff run. The Hurricanes have been in this position before, and the organizational experience of navigating the final week of the season while staying sharp is invaluable. For the Islanders, every game is a playoff game at this point. New York is fighting for its postseason life, and a win over one of the league's best teams would provide a massive confidence boost heading into the final games. This is a legitimate measuring-stick game for both teams, and the atmosphere at UBS Arena should reflect the stakes involved.

Montreal has been one of the best stories in the entire NHL this season, and the Canadiens are rolling into Philadelphia with the confidence of a team that has exceeded every reasonable expectation. The -155 moneyline makes Montreal a solid road favorite, and that price reflects both the quality of the Canadiens' roster and the fact that they're still pushing hard for the best possible playoff seed. Montreal's balanced offensive attack, their commitment to defensive structure, and elite goaltending have combined to create one of the most complete teams in the Eastern Conference. This isn't a squad that's going to take its foot off the gas with two games left in the regular season.

Philadelphia's season has been a mixed bag, and the Flyers find themselves on the outside of the playoff picture looking in. The +130 moneyline makes Philly a home underdog, and while Wells Fargo Center is always a tough building for visitors, the Flyers simply don't have the consistent quality throughout their lineup to match up with Montreal over a full 60 minutes. Philadelphia has shown flashes of being a competitive team this year, and the young players in their system have taken steps forward, but the gap between where the Flyers are and where they need to be is still significant. Tonight's game against a legitimate contender will be a reminder of the work still to come.

The 6.5 total tells you the market expects this game to produce some goals, and that makes sense given the matchup. Montreal's offense has been clicking at a high level, and the Canadiens have the kind of depth scoring that can overwhelm teams that don't have airtight defensive structure. Philadelphia has been vulnerable defensively at times this season, and when they face a top-tier offensive team like Montreal, the holes in their defensive game tend to get exposed. The Flyers can score too, and they won't go quietly in their own building, but the overall quality favors Montreal in a game that should feature plenty of chances at both ends.

For the broader playoff picture, this game matters primarily for Montreal's seeding. The Canadiens want to lock up the best possible seed heading into the postseason, and every point counts when the margins at the top of the Eastern Conference are this thin. A comfortable win in Philadelphia would send a message to the rest of the conference that Montreal isn't going to coast into the playoffs. The Flyers, meanwhile, will use this game as a development opportunity, letting their young players compete against one of the East's best and learning what it takes to be a playoff-caliber team. The experience of facing Montreal's structure and pace will be valuable for a Philly group that's building toward the future.

This is the national TV game that deserves its spotlight. Washington and Columbus are both in desperate positions with the regular season ending Thursday, and the magnitude of this game cannot be overstated. The Capitals need every available point to keep their playoff dreams alive, and a trip to Nationwide Arena against a Columbus team that's equally hungry creates the kind of atmosphere that makes the final week of the NHL season so electric. The near pick'em moneyline at WSH -105 / CBJ -115 tells you everything about how the market views this matchup. These are two teams separated by the thinnest of margins, and whichever team loses tonight might be watching the playoffs from their couch.

Columbus has been one of the feel-good stories of this season, a team that most people had written off before training camp that has fought its way into genuine playoff contention in April. Nationwide Arena has been rocking during the Blue Jackets' push for a postseason berth, and the home crowd is going to be an absolute factor tonight with ESPN cameras capturing every moment. The Blue Jackets play a structured, physical brand of hockey that can grind opponents down, and their goaltending has been solid enough to keep them in games against top competition. Columbus isn't going to beat you with flash, they're going to beat you with effort, execution, and the kind of desperation that comes from knowing your season could end any day now.

Washington has been through this before. The Capitals have the playoff experience that Columbus lacks, and in a high-pressure environment like a nationally televised do-or-die game, that experience can be the difference. Alex Ovechkin may be in the twilight of his career, but the man still elevates his game when the stakes are highest, and a late-season game with playoff implications on ESPN is exactly the kind of stage where Ovechkin has historically been at his best. The Capitals' veteran presence gives them a steadiness under pressure that younger teams sometimes struggle to match, and that intangible edge could prove decisive in a tight, grinding contest.

The 6.5 total feels generous for a game between two teams playing with this level of desperation. When the stakes are this high and both teams know that a loss could be fatal to their postseason hopes, you tend to see tighter checking, fewer odd-man rushes, and a more conservative approach to the game. Both goalies will be locked in, both coaching staffs will be managing every shift and every matchup, and the margin for error is essentially zero. This has the feel of a 3-2 or 4-3 game that could go right down to the wire, and the ESPN broadcast is going to give the nation a front-row seat to the kind of hockey that makes this sport the best in the world. Must-watch television tonight.

Anaheim visiting Minnesota is an intriguing Western Conference matchup between two teams in very different positions heading into the final days of the regular season. The near pick'em moneyline tells you the market sees this as a true coin flip, and there are compelling arguments on both sides. Anaheim has been one of the more pleasant surprises in the West this season, and the Ducks' young core has shown the kind of development and competitive fire that suggests this franchise is heading in the right direction. The -105 price on Anaheim reflects the quality they've shown all year, even as a road team visiting one of the tougher buildings in the Western Conference.

Minnesota at the Xcel Energy Center is always a difficult place to play. The Wild's fans are passionate and loud, and the building has a way of getting into the heads of visiting teams, especially in high-stakes situations late in the season. The -115 moneyline makes Minnesota a very slight favorite at home, and that price captures the home ice advantage without overstating it. The Wild have been a competitive team all season, and their goaltending has been good enough to keep them in games against quality opposition. Whether this is a meaningful game for Minnesota's playoff positioning depends on the standings entering tonight, but the Wild aren't the type of team that mails in any game, especially at home in front of their fans.

The 6.5 total is consistent with the rest of tonight's slate, and both teams have the offensive capability to push toward that number. Anaheim's young forwards have been producing at a strong rate, and the Ducks' ability to generate offense in transition has been a weapon all season. Minnesota counters with a more structured approach, controlling possession and limiting high-danger chances against, but the Wild can also score in bunches when their top lines get going. This should be an entertaining, fast-paced game between two teams that play complementary styles.

The development angle adds another layer to this matchup. Both franchises are building toward sustained contention, and games like this provide a window into where each team stands in their respective timelines. Anaheim's young stars have already proven they can compete on the road against quality opponents, and a strong performance at the Xcel Energy Center would further validate the Ducks' rapid rise in the Western Conference. Minnesota wants to show that their core is capable of winning the kind of tight, competitive games that define playoff hockey. Regardless of the final score, both teams should come out of this game with a better understanding of where they stand heading into the offseason and beyond.

Winnipeg visiting Utah is a battle between two Western Conference playoff teams that are locked into their seeds and looking to fine-tune their games before the postseason begins Saturday. The Jets are one of the most talented rosters in the West, and while their path to a playoff spot hasn't always been smooth, Winnipeg has the kind of top-end talent that can beat anyone in a seven-game series. The +145 moneyline as a road underdog might seem steep for a team of Winnipeg's caliber, but the Delta Center has been one of the most electric buildings in the NHL this season, and Utah's home record is a major reason they clinched their playoff spot.

Utah Hockey Club at -175 is a solid home favorite, and that price reflects the remarkable season this franchise has put together in its very first year in Salt Lake City. The enthusiasm in that building has been off the charts, and the fans have embraced this team with the kind of passion that creates a legitimate home ice advantage. Utah's roster has the depth and structure to compete with anyone, and their commitment to playing the right way on both sides of the puck has been the foundation of their success. The 5.5 total is the lowest on the entire slate alongside the Kings-Canucks game, and it reflects the expectation that this will be a tight, defensively responsible contest between two well-coached teams.

The question for both teams tonight is how much they're willing to push in a game that doesn't change their playoff positioning. Winnipeg might rest certain players or limit minutes for their top stars, and Utah could do the same. But there's also an argument for both teams wanting to stay sharp and competitive heading into the postseason. Momentum matters in hockey, and a team that plays well in its final regular season games often carries that confidence into Round 1. Both coaching staffs will be weighing the risk-reward calculus of playing their best players in a meaningless standings game versus keeping them fresh for the playoffs.

Regardless of the lineups, this game is going to be entertaining because of what it represents. Winnipeg is a franchise that has been on the cusp of a deep playoff run for years, and the Jets' fans believe this could finally be the season they break through. Utah is the ultimate underdog story, a first-year franchise that has exceeded every expectation and earned its way into the postseason through hard work, smart roster construction, and the incredible support of the Salt Lake City community. When these two teams take the ice tonight, the crowd at Delta Center will be celebrating a season that nobody predicted, and both teams will be fine-tuning their games for what promises to be a thrilling Western Conference playoff picture.

The second national TV game of the night brings Pittsburgh to St. Louis in a late-night ESPN showcase, and both teams have reasons to be engaged despite the calendar saying April 14. The Penguins have been battling injuries to their core players all month, with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Bryan Rust, Erik Karlsson, and Kris Letang all dealing with various ailments, and the health of those franchise cornerstones heading into the playoffs is the single biggest storyline surrounding Pittsburgh right now. The +110 moneyline as a road underdog is reasonable for a team that might be missing multiple Hall of Famers on any given night, and the Penguins' depth has been tested beyond its limits this month.

St. Louis at -130 is a moderate home favorite, and the Blues should be motivated to put on a show for their home crowd on national television. Enterprise Center has been a tough building for visitors when the Blues are clicking, and the St. Louis fans bring an energy that can lift their team in tight games. The Blues have had an up-and-down season, but there's enough talent in that locker room to compete with anyone on a given night. The question is consistency, and against a Pittsburgh team that might be shorthanded, St. Louis has an opportunity to build some positive momentum heading into the final days of the season.

The injury situation for Pittsburgh creates an enormous amount of uncertainty around this game. If Crosby and Malkin are both in the lineup, even at less than 100%, the Penguins' offensive ceiling is dramatically different than if both are sitting out. The 6.5 total assumes a relatively normal game, but if Pittsburgh is rolling out their AHL-caliber lineup for the second straight week, the dynamic changes significantly. St. Louis would be able to control possession and dictate the pace, while Pittsburgh would rely on opportunistic scoring and goaltending to stay competitive. It's the kind of situation where knowing the starting lineups before the game is absolutely essential for understanding what this matchup is going to look like.

The ESPN broadcast at 9:30 PM gives this game a late-night feel that hockey fans love. There's something special about settling in for a nationally televised hockey game when most of the country is winding down for the night, and the intimacy of Enterprise Center's atmosphere should translate beautifully on television. For Pittsburgh, the focus is on getting healthy and being ready for Round 1, and whether that means resting stars tonight or giving them a final tune-up is the biggest question facing the coaching staff. For St. Louis, this is an opportunity to prove something on a national stage and send their fans home happy. The Penguins-Blues rivalry has produced some incredible hockey over the years, and even in a late-season game with mixed motivations, these two franchises know how to put on a show.

Los Angeles closes out Tuesday's 9-game slate with a trip to Vancouver that has massive implications for the Kings' playoff hopes. At 34-26-19 with 87 points, the Kings are in a dogfight for one of the final Western Conference playoff spots, and every remaining game is essentially a playoff game for this franchise. The -148 moneyline makes LA a road favorite, and that price reflects both the Kings' quality and the fact that Vancouver has been one of the worst teams in the NHL this season. But desperation games on the road are tricky, and the Kings can't afford to take anything for granted with their season on the line.

Vancouver's brutal season is mercifully nearing its end, and the Canucks are counting the days until they can start their offseason rebuild. Rogers Arena hasn't had much to cheer about this year, but the home fans will show up and support their team through the final games, and there's always a chance that the Canucks play spoiler for a visiting team that needs the win more than they do. The +124 moneyline gives Vancouver a reasonable price for a home underdog, and while the Canucks' overall record is terrible, they've shown the ability to compete in individual games against better teams. The danger for LA is overlooking an inferior opponent when the pressure is at its highest.

The 5.5 total is tied for the lowest on the slate, and it reflects the expectation of a lower-scoring game. The Kings have been built on defensive structure and goaltending all season, and LA's ability to win close, low-scoring games has been their identity throughout the year. Vancouver doesn't generate a ton of offense consistently, and the Canucks' defensive breakdowns tend to come in waves rather than allowing goals at a steady pace. This could be a 3-1 or 2-1 game that the Kings control through disciplined play and strong goaltending, or it could turn into a more open affair if Vancouver decides to play a freewheeling style with nothing to lose.

The stakes for Los Angeles are enormous. With only two games remaining after tonight, the Kings need points right now, and a regulation win against a bottom-tier opponent would go a long way toward solidifying their position in the standings. The 19 overtime losses in LA's record tell you everything about how close this team has been all season, losing tight games by the narrowest of margins over and over again. Those extra points from OT losses have kept the Kings in the hunt, but they've also meant that LA needs more regulation wins down the stretch to control their own destiny. Tonight in Vancouver, the Kings have an opportunity to take care of business against a team they should beat, and the pressure of the moment will reveal whether this group has the composure to perform when it matters most.