PLAYOFF CONTENDERS MEET IN WESTERN CONFERENCE

The Pacific Division-leading Kings (44-23-5, 93 points) face another potential First Round opponent when they visit the Wild (34-28-11, 79 points), the first team on the outside of the playoff picture, at Xcel Energy Center. This marks the third and final meeting of the season between these clubs, who have split their opening two contests (MIN: 1-0-1, LAK: 1-1-0): Los Angeles posted a 2-1 overtime win on Oct. 16, while Minnesota recorded a 3-0 victory on Jan. 21 – both at STAPLES Center.

The second-place Blues (42-22-9, 93 points) look to climb the Central Division ladder when they take on the Sharks (41-25-6, 88 points), the third-place team in the Pacific Division, at SAP Center. This marks the third and final meeting of the season between these clubs – San Jose has won each of the first two (SJS: 2-0-0, STL: 0-2-0), picking up a pair of victories at Scottrade Center: 3-1 on Feb. 4 and 6-3 on Feb. 22.

TODAY’S CLINCHING SCENARIOS

• The Capitals will clinch the Metropolitan Division title and the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference if they defeat the Senators in any fashion.
• The Stars will clinch a playoff berth if they defeat the Blackhawks in any fashion OR if they get one point against the Blackhawks AND the Wild lose to the Kings in any fashion OR if the Wild lose to the Kings in regulation.
• The Ducks will clinch a playoff berth if they get at least one point against the Canadiens OR if the Coyotes lose to the Oilers in any fashion.
• The Sharks will clinch a playoff berth if they defeat the Blues in any fashion OR if they get one point against the Blues AND the Coyotes lose to the Oilers in any fashion OR if the Coyotes lose to the Oilers in regulation.

MILESTONES & MUSINGS

• Predators forward James Neal (1-1—2) recorded his 400th NHL point.
• Islanders captain John Tavares played in his 500th NHL game.
• Predators forward Filip Forsberg (30-24—54) reached the 30-goal milestone for the first time in his career. He became the first Nashville player to achieve the feat since 2009-10, when Patric Hornqvist totaled 30-21—51
• Islanders forward Kyle Okposo (20-36—56) reached the 20-goal milestone for the third time in his career (also 2011-12 and 2013-14)
• Kings forward Anze Kopitar (0-2—2) extended his point streak to six games (4-5—9)

 

MONDAY’S RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
NY RANGERS 4, Florida 2
Philadelphia 4, NY ISLANDERS 1
TORONTO 5, Calgary 2
NASHVILLE 5, Los Angeles 2

SNEAK PEEK AT TUESDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Buffalo @ Carolina, 7:00 p.m.
Philadelphia @ Columbus, 7:00 p.m.
Anaheim @ Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
Washington @ Ottawa, 7:30 p.m.
Detroit Red Wings @ Tampa Bay, 7:30 p.m.
Vancouver @ Winnipeg, 8:00 p.m.
Los Angeles @ Minnesota, 8:30 p.m.
Dallas @ Chicago, 8:30 p.m.
Edmonton @ Arizona, 10:00 p.m.
St. Louis @ San Jose, 10:30 p.m.