Ottawa deserve plenty of credit for coming on strong at the end of the season and can claim a fourth straight win when hosting New Jersey. The Devils have seen their squad weakened by some key absentees and could be forgiven for starting to think about their summer holidays.
Toronto and Detroit will meet for the fourth and final time this season with the Maple Leafs seeking to complete a series clean sweep. All three previous encounters have been high-scoring affairs, which saw the Red Wings beaten 5-4 in October, 7-4 in January and 10-7 in February.
Washington and Toronto have produced a couple of entertaining encounters when previously going head-to-head this season. The Maple Leafs prevailed 5-3 at this venue towards the end of February and 7-3 in Canada earlier this month, so goals are expected again.
Edmonton’s recent form has been outstanding and they can power to a fifth straight victory when visiting Columbus. The Blue Jackets have been a touch unfortunate to lose out in a series of tight tussles of late but look set to be just outgunned again at Nationwide Arena.
Ottawa are 6-4-1 this month and finishing the season strongly, whereas Montreal travel to Canadian Tire Centre on a run of seven straight defeats. The Senators must back-up after a shootout success at Columbus last night but have the youthful exuberance to cope.
Calgary have already wrapped up the Pacific Division title but still have post-season seeding spots at stake when entertaining Vancouver. The Canucks look increasingly doomed to come up just short in their quest for a wild card place following a couple of costly setbacks this week.
Florida are chasing top spot in the NHL table and the Presidents’ Trophy after 12 straight wins and that spells trouble for Toronto. The Maple Leafs have also booked a place in the playoffs but appeared to rest on their laurels when thrashed at Tampa Bay on Thursday.
Ottawa showed great spirit to win a shootout at Vancouver on Tuesday and look worth sticking with when they travel to Columbus. The Blue Jackets will be happy to return home after three straight defeats on the road but are still rated uneasy favourites on current form.
Montreal and Philadelphia have both gone six games without a win, so a tight tussle is expected as each team seeks to stop the rot. The Canadiens have come out on top in two previous head-to-head meetings this term, but only via a December shootout and in overtime last month.
Minnesota are looking for a third straight win that will keep them in second place in the Central Division ahead of St Louis. Vancouver have launched a late-season surge as they look to force their way into the play-offs and will be hunting a seventh win in eight.
Carolina will look to make it two wins in a row when hosting Winnipeg and reclaim second place in the Eastern Conference from Toronto. A Hurricanes win and a Maple Leafs loss to Tampa Bay would see them leapfrog Toronto into second behind runaway leaders Florida.
Edmonton Oilers go in search of a third straight victory which will move them to the brink of securing a playoff place. Victory for the Dallas Stars will be equally important as they look to strengthen their own position in the wild card battle.
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Vancouver have made an admirable effort to snatch a late wild card spot and are chasing a seventh straight win when entertaining Ottawa. All bar one of their last six victories have been in regular time and by more than one clear goal, with the Canucks looking full of energy.