It feels to me like this season has been characterized by a lack of really intriguing down-to-the-wire races. The playoff bubbles popped early, some playoff matchups were effectively locked in by the end of March, and several teams have not played a meaningful game in weeks. It’s been a weird year for regular season drama.
That said, there are still a few high-profile games left. Note that this is from the lens of playoff relevance, so you’ll need to add your own spotlight to farewell games, TDL return games, etc.
Edit: I’m leaving this post intact, but scroll down for updates as results impact the schedule.
4/13
Blue Jackets @ Capitals - Columbus needs a miracle, and the hardest obstacle might be to win this game in Washington. If they lose, the Eastern bracket is almost entirely set.
Oilers @ Jets - Edmonton’s only got a slim shot at taking home ice in their upcoming series against the Kings, and they must win this game to have a shot at all.
4/14
Kings @ Oilers - Assuming Edmonton wins in Winnipeg the previous night, if they win this game they will pull neck-and-neck with the Kings for home ice. In any case, this game is a playoff tone-setter.
Blackhawks @ Canadiens - It would take a miracle for Columbus to catch Montreal. The easiest way for the Habs to clinch would be to simply win this layup of a home game.
4/15
Panthers @ Lightning - Maybe the most meaningful game left on the schedule as it will go a long way to deciding home ice advantage in their upcoming in-state rivalry series.
Utah @ Blues - (WC Bubble Part 1) Blues and Wild are jockeying for the right to play Vegas instead of Winnipeg. This is one of two games played simultaneously which will determine the 1v8 and 2v7 matchups.
Ducks @ Wild - (WC Bubble Part 2) This is the other game which will be played at the same time as Utah/StL. Of the two, this one involves the bigger potential choke job.
4/16
Oilers @ Sharks - In the unlikely scenario where Edmonton beats Winnipeg and LA back to back, and LA loses in Seattle, the Oilers will be rewarded with a nearly automatic win for home ice. Otherwise this game is meaningless.
4/17
Flames @ Kings - This is Calgary’s game in hand on Minnesota and St Louis, who will have finished their schedules by then, and also the final game of the entire regular season. This could potentially also be LA’s shot at clinching home ice against Edmonton. Tonight’s games in progress will shed some light on whether this one could be a play-in for the Flames.
Certain other games could become important in unlikely scenarios, such as Toronto or Vegas going winless down the stretch to endanger their division titles.
That said, there are still a few high-profile games left. Note that this is from the lens of playoff relevance, so you’ll need to add your own spotlight to farewell games, TDL return games, etc.
Edit: I’m leaving this post intact, but scroll down for updates as results impact the schedule.
4/13
Blue Jackets @ Capitals - Columbus needs a miracle, and the hardest obstacle might be to win this game in Washington. If they lose, the Eastern bracket is almost entirely set.
Oilers @ Jets - Edmonton’s only got a slim shot at taking home ice in their upcoming series against the Kings, and they must win this game to have a shot at all.
4/14
Kings @ Oilers - Assuming Edmonton wins in Winnipeg the previous night, if they win this game they will pull neck-and-neck with the Kings for home ice. In any case, this game is a playoff tone-setter.
Blackhawks @ Canadiens - It would take a miracle for Columbus to catch Montreal. The easiest way for the Habs to clinch would be to simply win this layup of a home game.
4/15
Panthers @ Lightning - Maybe the most meaningful game left on the schedule as it will go a long way to deciding home ice advantage in their upcoming in-state rivalry series.
Utah @ Blues - (WC Bubble Part 1) Blues and Wild are jockeying for the right to play Vegas instead of Winnipeg. This is one of two games played simultaneously which will determine the 1v8 and 2v7 matchups.
Ducks @ Wild - (WC Bubble Part 2) This is the other game which will be played at the same time as Utah/StL. Of the two, this one involves the bigger potential choke job.
4/16
Oilers @ Sharks - In the unlikely scenario where Edmonton beats Winnipeg and LA back to back, and LA loses in Seattle, the Oilers will be rewarded with a nearly automatic win for home ice. Otherwise this game is meaningless.
4/17
Flames @ Kings - This is Calgary’s game in hand on Minnesota and St Louis, who will have finished their schedules by then, and also the final game of the entire regular season. This could potentially also be LA’s shot at clinching home ice against Edmonton. Tonight’s games in progress will shed some light on whether this one could be a play-in for the Flames.
Certain other games could become important in unlikely scenarios, such as Toronto or Vegas going winless down the stretch to endanger their division titles.
Last edited:
