NHL March 31, 2026

Buffalo's remarkable season continues to be one of the best stories in all of hockey. The Sabres (45-21-8, 98 points) are on pace for a 106-point season that would obliterate franchise records and officially end what has been the longest playoff drought in NHL history. KeyBank Center has been rocking all year, and the energy in that building when a quality opponent comes to town is something you have to experience to believe. The Sabres aren't sneaking up on anyone anymore. They're a legitimate powerhouse, and the -198 moneyline reflects the market's respect for what this team has built.

The Islanders (42-28-5, 89 points) are no pushovers, and their 89-point season puts them firmly in the playoff picture. New York plays the kind of structured, defense-first hockey that can stifle any opponent, and their ability to limit chances and play patient, mistake-free hockey has been the foundation of their success all season. Ilya Sorokin continues to be one of the best goaltenders in the league, and when you have a netminder of that caliber behind a committed defensive group, you always have a chance to steal a road game. The +164 price on the Islanders offers value for bettors who believe New York's system can neutralize Buffalo's home-ice advantage.

What makes Buffalo so dangerous is their depth. The Sabres don't rely on one line to carry the offense. They roll four lines that can all contribute, and their defensive corps has matured into one of the most reliable units in the conference. The 6.5 total is the highest number on the board for the early-window games, and it makes sense given the offensive firepower both teams possess. Buffalo's home games have been particularly entertaining this season, with the Sabres pushing the pace and creating an up-tempo environment that favors the home team. The crowd feeds off the energy, and the players feed off the crowd.

This is a matchup of contrasting styles that could go in multiple directions. If the Islanders are able to slow the game down, clog up the neutral zone, and force Buffalo to grind through their defensive structure, this could be a tight 3-2 affair that goes either way. But if the Sabres are able to push the pace and get their transition game rolling early, the Islanders could find themselves chasing the game in a hostile building where playing from behind is almost impossible. Buffalo at home as a significant favorite against a playoff-caliber opponent feels right, and the 6.5 total suggests both teams have the talent to produce goals.

This is one of the more intriguing matchups on the slate because both of these teams have legitimate playoff aspirations and neither can afford a loss right now. Tampa Bay (46-21-6, 98 points) has been one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference all season, powered by the familiar core of Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, and Victor Hedman. The Lightning play with the kind of precision and veteran savvy that comes from years of deep playoff runs, and their 98 points through 73 games puts them on pace for yet another dominant regular season. Amalie Arena has been a nightmare for visiting teams, and Tampa's home record backs that reputation up.

Montreal (42-21-10, 94 points) is having an incredible season of their own, and the Canadiens' 94-point campaign has been one of the best stories in the NHL. This is a franchise that was rebuilding not long ago, and the speed at which they've transformed into a legitimate contender has caught the entire league off guard. Their young core has matured rapidly, and the combination of skilled forwards, reliable defensemen, and solid goaltending has given Montreal the foundation to compete with anyone. Getting +142 as a road underdog with 94 points is the kind of value that bettors circle, because this isn't some middling team getting a big number. This is a genuinely good hockey club.

The 6.5 total is one of the highest on the board tonight, and it reflects the offensive talent both teams possess. Tampa Bay's power play has been a weapon all season, with Kucherov running the half-wall and creating looks for Point, Hedman, and the rest of the unit. If Montreal takes penalties, the Lightning have the skill to make them pay quickly and decisively. On the other side, the Canadiens have enough offensive firepower to push goals in bunches, and their transition game can catch even the best defenses off guard. When two teams with this much offensive talent meet, the 6.5 total suddenly feels very much in play.

The key for Montreal is staying out of the penalty box and playing their game at 5-on-5, where they've been one of the most competitive teams in the league this season. Tampa Bay is at their most dangerous on the power play, and giving the Lightning extra opportunities is a recipe for disaster on the road. If the Canadiens can keep this game at even strength and use their speed to create transition chances, they have a legitimate shot at pulling off the road upset. But if the Lightning get rolling early at Amalie Arena with the crowd behind them, Montreal could find themselves in a hole that's very difficult to climb out of against a team this experienced.

This might be the single most fascinating storyline on the entire slate. The Florida Panthers are the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions, winners in 2024 and 2025, but their title defense has completely collapsed this season. At 35-35-3 with just 73 points through 73 games, the Panthers are a .500 team that is watching the playoff race from the outside. Defending a championship is the hardest thing to do in professional sports, and Florida has discovered that in the most painful way possible. The fatigue, the injuries, the regression, the target on your back every single night, it's all caught up to a roster that looked invincible just nine months ago.

Ottawa (38-25-10, 86 points) comes in as the road favorite at -170, which tells you everything about how far the Panthers have fallen. The Senators are having a strong season and are firmly in the playoff picture, with a young, hungry roster that has the talent and the depth to compete with anyone in the Eastern Conference. Brady Tkachuk continues to be the heart and soul of this team, and the supporting cast around him has stepped up all year. Ottawa plays an aggressive, up-tempo style that generates a ton of offensive chances, and against a Panthers team that has struggled defensively for much of the season, the Senators should have plenty of opportunities to put the puck in the net.

What makes Florida's collapse so shocking is the talent still on this roster. Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, and a core that won back-to-back championships are all still here. These are proven winners who know what it takes to perform at the highest level. But something has been fundamentally broken this season, and the Panthers haven't been able to fix it. The goaltending has been inconsistent, the defensive structure has cracked repeatedly, and the offensive production hasn't come close to matching the championship-caliber output of the past two years. At some point, talent alone can't overcome the issues, and Florida has reached that point.

The 5.5 total is interesting given Ottawa's offensive tendencies and Florida's defensive struggles. The Senators have the firepower to push this game over by themselves if they get rolling early, and the Panthers have shown that they can be beaten to the punch in their own building. But there's also the chance that Florida's championship DNA kicks in for 60 minutes and they play the kind of desperate, focused hockey that made them champions in the first place. The +142 moneyline on the Panthers offers interesting value for anyone who believes the back-to-back champs still have some fight left in them, but the evidence this season suggests that ship has sailed.

Two Original Six franchises meet in Pittsburgh in what looks like the tightest game on the entire board. Detroit (39-26-8, 86 points) and Pittsburgh (37-21-16, 90 points) are separated by just four points in the standings, and both teams are firmly in the playoff picture with different paths to get there. The Red Wings have rebuilt impressively and their 86-point season represents a significant step forward for a franchise that spent years in the wilderness after the Datsyuk-Zetterberg era ended. The Penguins, meanwhile, continue to defy Father Time with Sidney Crosby still driving the bus and keeping Pittsburgh competitive long after the experts predicted the dynasty would end.

The -115/-105 moneyline split is essentially a pick'em with a slight lean toward Detroit, and that pricing feels appropriate. The Red Wings have been the more consistent team over the full season, but Pittsburgh's 16 overtime losses tell a compelling story about a team that is in every single game it plays. The Penguins have been maddeningly close in dozens of games this year, and their ability to hang around and compete with anyone for 60 minutes makes them a dangerous opponent regardless of the matchup. Crosby continues to produce at an elite level, and when you have the best player in franchise history still performing at that caliber, you're never truly out of any game.

Detroit's resurgence has been built on a balanced attack and a defense that has tightened up considerably from years past. The young talent in the organization has developed nicely, and the addition of veteran pieces has given the Red Wings the kind of depth that allows them to compete night after night without relying on one or two players to carry the load. Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider continue to anchor the future, and the supporting cast has stepped up throughout the season. On the road in a tight game against a veteran Pittsburgh team, Detroit will need their entire lineup contributing to come away with two points.

The 6.5 total is the highest number available in the 7 PM window, and it reflects the offensive potential on both sides. Detroit has the scoring depth to push multiple goals, and Pittsburgh's offense, driven by Crosby and a supporting cast that has played well all season, can match that output. The Penguins' 16 overtime losses suggest they're involved in a lot of high-scoring, close games, which is exactly the kind of contest the over thrives in. This has 4-3 or 5-4 written all over it, with both teams trading chances and neither willing to sit back and protect a lead. Expect an entertaining, back-and-forth affair at PPG Paints Arena.

A Metropolitan Division matchup between two teams with similar records and similar aspirations makes this one of the more competitive games on the slate. Philadelphia (37-24-12, 86 points) has been one of the more pleasant surprises in the Eastern Conference, and the Flyers' ability to compete night after night has silenced the critics who wrote them off before the season started. Washington (37-28-9, 83 points) is three points behind the Flyers and needs every home game to count if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Capitals have Alex Ovechkin still chasing history, and the energy at Capital One Arena when Ovi is closing in on milestones is something special.

Washington being a -135 home favorite feels right given the home-ice advantage and the urgency factor. The Capitals have been better at home than on the road this season, and Capital One Arena has been a tough building for visitors. Ovechkin continues to defy every expectation about what a player his age should be capable of, and his ability to score goals from anywhere on the ice gives Washington a weapon that no other team in the league possesses. The Capitals' supporting cast has stepped up throughout the season, and when Ovechkin is dialed in and the role players are contributing, Washington can beat anyone in the Metropolitan Division.

Philadelphia at +114 is an interesting road underdog price for a team with 86 points. The Flyers have earned the right to be respected by the market, and their 12 overtime losses show a team that competes hard in every single game. Philadelphia plays a physical, grinding style that can make life miserable for opponents, and their willingness to block shots, win board battles, and compete for every loose puck makes them a tough out regardless of the matchup. The Flyers have proven all season that they belong in the playoff conversation, and getting plus money on the road against a team they're actually ahead of in the standings offers genuine value.

The 5.5 total suggests the market expects a tight, defensive affair, and that's consistent with what both teams have shown this season. Neither Philadelphia nor Washington is going to play a wide-open, run-and-gun style. Both teams prefer to control the pace, limit chances, and win games with timely goals and solid defensive play. Special teams will be the x-factor, because in a game this tight, the power play could be the difference between winning and losing. Whoever is more disciplined with the stick and more efficient with their man-advantage opportunities is likely walking out of Capital One Arena with two points.

Carolina (46-21-6, 98 points) continues to be the class of the Metropolitan Division, and the Hurricanes are on pace for yet another dominant regular season under Rod Brind'Amour. What makes this team so impressive is the relentless consistency they've shown all year. The Hurricanes don't take nights off, they don't get complacent after big wins, and they don't panic after losses. They show up, execute their system, and grind teams into submission with their forechecking, their defensive structure, and their ability to capitalize on the few mistakes opponents make. That mentality has produced 98 points through 73 games, and there's no reason to think it's going to slow down.

Columbus (38-24-12, 88 points) has been one of the more impressive stories in the Eastern Conference, and the Blue Jackets' 88-point season has exceeded virtually every preseason projection. This is a team that plays hard every single night, and their 12 overtime losses prove they're hanging around in games and competing until the final whistle. Playing at home in Nationwide Arena gives Columbus a boost, and the crowd has been engaged all season as fans finally have a team worth getting excited about. A matchup against the Hurricanes on the Hulu broadcast is exactly the kind of stage this franchise has been craving.

The -142 moneyline on Carolina reflects the gap between a team that's been doing this for years and a team that's still learning how to win consistently at this level. The Hurricanes have been to the postseason in each of the past several years, and that experience matters when the games get tight in March and April. Columbus has the talent to make this competitive for 60 minutes, but Carolina's depth, their defensive structure, and their ability to suffocate opponents in the neutral zone give them a significant edge. When the Hurricanes are rolling, they look like a legitimate Stanley Cup contender, and right now they're absolutely rolling.

The 6.5 total and the Hulu broadcast badge suggest this game is going to get some national attention, and for good reason. Carolina's offense has been clicking on all cylinders, generating chances at an elite rate with a forward group that combines skill, speed, and tenacity. Columbus has enough offensive talent to push goals of their own, and their willingness to play an up-tempo style means they're not going to sit back and absorb pressure all night. If the Blue Jackets can stay out of the penalty box and keep this at 5-on-5, they have a legitimate chance to make this uncomfortable for the Hurricanes. But if Carolina gets power play opportunities, their man-advantage unit has the skill to bury them.

Winnipeg's season has been one of the most frustrating narratives in the entire NHL. The Jets (31-30-12, 74 points) started the year on an absolute heater, looking like one of the best teams in the Western Conference, but their second-half collapse has been nothing short of stunning. Going from conference leaders to a team sitting at 31-30-12 is the kind of freefall that tests a locker room's character, and Winnipeg hasn't passed that test convincingly. Tonight they visit Chicago, and while the Blackhawks aren't a playoff contender, the Jets can't afford to keep dropping games against inferior opponents if they want to salvage any hope of sneaking into the postseason.

Chicago (27-34-13, 67 points) is in the middle of a full-scale rebuild, and nights like tonight are more about development for the young players than they are about wins and losses. The Blackhawks' 27-34-13 record tells the story of a team that competes hard but ultimately doesn't have the depth or the high-end talent to beat good teams consistently. Connor Bedard continues to develop, and fans in Chicago have reason to be optimistic about the future, but the present reality is that the United Center has been a tough place to be for most of this season. The 13 overtime losses show this team hangs around in games, which is encouraging for the rebuild, but the wins aren't piling up.

Winnipeg at -142 on the road in Chicago is a fair price for a team with more talent but less confidence right now. The Jets have the roster to beat the Blackhawks on most nights, but their mental state has been fragile since the second-half slide began. When a team loses trust in its own ability to close out games, even favorable matchups become dicey. If the Jets come out flat and let Chicago hang around into the third period, the United Center crowd could get behind the Blackhawks and make this uncomfortable. Winnipeg needs to jump on the Blackhawks early and take the crowd out of it, because playing a tight game on the road when your confidence is shot is a recipe for another disappointing loss.

The 5.5 total is set low, which reflects Winnipeg's preference for a controlled, lower-event style of play and Chicago's general inability to score in bunches. The Jets have the defensive structure to limit the Blackhawks' offense, and their goaltending has been solid enough to keep games close even when the offense isn't clicking. Chicago can push the game over if they generate power play chances, because the Blackhawks' man-advantage unit has shown some life this season. But at even strength, this has the makings of a 3-1 or 3-2 game where Winnipeg controls the pace and Chicago tries to hang around long enough to steal it in the third.

Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers (37-28-9, 83 points) close out the evening by hosting the Seattle Kraken (32-29-11, 75 points) at Rogers Place. Edmonton's season has been a study in frustration, because when your two best players are McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, 83 points through 74 games feels underwhelming. The Oilers have the high-end talent to compete with anyone in the NHL, but the supporting cast has been inconsistent, and the goaltending has been a question mark at various points throughout the year. McDavid is still the best player on the planet, and Draisaitl continues to be one of the most dangerous goal-scorers in the game, but two superstars can only do so much when the rest of the roster doesn't consistently hold up its end of the bargain.

Seattle at 32-29-11 with 75 points is sitting in a tricky spot in the Western Conference standings. The Kraken are close enough to a wild card spot to maintain some hope but not close enough to feel comfortable. Their 11 overtime losses are particularly telling, because it means Seattle has been competitive in a lot of games but hasn't been able to close them out when it matters most. Playing at Rogers Place against McDavid is never easy, and the Kraken will need to be at their absolute best defensively to keep this game close. The +154 moneyline offers value for anyone who believes Seattle's defensive structure can contain Edmonton's top two, but that's a tall order on most nights.

Edmonton's -185 moneyline at home is the largest number on the entire slate, and it reflects the talent gap between the Oilers' top end and the Kraken's roster construction. When McDavid decides to take over a game, there isn't a team in the league that can stop him consistently. His combination of speed, vision, and creativity makes him a constant threat every time he touches the puck, and the supporting cast around him has enough talent to capitalize on the chances he creates. Draisaitl's ability to finish from anywhere on the ice gives Edmonton a one-two punch that no opponent can afford to lose track of, even for a moment.

The 6.5 total is the highest on the board for the late window, and it makes sense given Edmonton's offensive capabilities and Seattle's defensive inconsistencies. The Oilers have the firepower to put up four or five goals on any given night, and the Kraken's defense has shown it can be carved up by teams with elite talent up front. The question is whether Seattle's offense can contribute enough to push the game over, or whether Edmonton's goaltending can keep the Kraken quiet enough to keep the total under. Rogers Place will be rocking for a late-season home game with playoff implications, and the Oilers need to take care of business against teams they should beat if they want to avoid a first-round matchup with one of the Western Conference's heavyweights.