FLYERS AND ISLANDERS ARE KEY MATCHUPS THAT HIGHLIGHT EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF RACES

Two games highlight the close playoff races in the Eastern Conference.

The Flyers (34-24-12, 80 points), the first team on the outside of the playoff picture, look to make up ground when they visit the Islanders (38-23-9, 85 points), the current occupants of the first Wild Card position, at Barclays Center. New York has won two of the first three matchups between these clubs in 2015-16 (PHI: 1-1-1), but Philadelphia earned a 4-0 victory in their most recent meeting on Jan. 9 at Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers and Islanders will close their head-to-head series on the final day of the regular season: April 10, also at Barclays Center.

A pair of teams try to bounce back from losses when the Atlantic Division-leading Panthers (40-23-9, 89 points) face the Rangers (40-24-8, 88 points), the No. 3 team in the Metropolitan Division, at Madison Square Garden. This marks the third and final meeting of the season between these clubs, who have split their opening two matchups: New York posted a 5-4 overtime win on Nov. 21, while Florida responded with a 3-0 victory on Jan. 2, both at BB&T Center.

MILESTONES & MUSINGS

• Coyotes captain Shane Doan played in his 1,457th career game to tie Glen Wesley for 22nd place in NHL history.
• Canadiens forward Michael McCarron, the 25th overall selection in the 2013 NHL Draft, scored his first career goal (14 GP).
• Blue Jackets forward Scott Hartnell (1,100) and Coyotes forward Antoine Vermette (900) both played in milestone games.
• Jets forward Chase De Leo, Canadiens defenseman Joel Hanley and Devils defenseman Vojtech Mozik all made their NHL debuts.
• John Tortorella (CBJ) coached his 1,001st career game to move past Roger Neilson (1,000) and into sole possession of 25th place in NHL history.
• Flames goaltender Niklas Backstrom (21 SV) earned the win in his first start with the team – and first NHL appearance since Jan. 13, 2015 at PIT (w/ MIN)
• Sharks teammates Tomas Hertl (2-5—7) and Joe Thornton (2-4—6) both extended their point streaks to five games. Thornton has registered at least one point in 38 of his past 43 outings dating to Dec. 15 (13-41—54)

 

SUNDAY’S RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
Anaheim 3, WINNIPEG 2 (OT)
NEW JERSEY 2, Columbus 1
PITTSBURGH 6, Washington 2
Calgary 4, MONTREAL 1
Minnesota 3, CHICAGO 2 (SO)
Colorado 3, EDMONTON 2
SAN JOSE 3, Arizona 0

 

SNEAK PEEK AT MONDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Florida @ NY Rangers, 7:00 p.m.
Philadelphia @ NY Islanders, 7:30 p.m.
Calgary @ Toronto, 7:30 p.m.
Los Angeles @ Nashville, 8:00 p.m.