The tight Wild Card races continues Thursday, including the Flyers against the Avalanche and the Red Wings versus the Montreal Canadiens.

The Flyers and Red Wings, who are tied in terms of points in the Eastern.

Conference Wild Card race, both are in action. Philadelphia, who is 9-2-2 in its last 13 outings and currently occupies the final playoff spot due to one fewer game played, travels to Pepsi Center to face Colorado, a team jockeying for position in the Western Conference Wild Card race.

Detroit, meanwhile, plays Original Six foe Montreal at Joe Louis Arena. Both the Flyers-Red Wings and Wild-Avalanche will meet one more time this season. Philadelphia, who is 2-0-0 thus far in the season series (DET: 0-1-1), visits Detroit on April 6 at Joe Louis Arena. Minnesota, who is 3-0-1 thus far in the season series (COL: 1-3-0), plays Colorado this Saturday, March 26, at Pepsi Center.

The Wild and Avalanche, who are separated by one point in the Western Conference Wild Card race, also both take to the ice. Minnesota, who owns a one-point advantage for the final playoff spot but has played one more game, welcomes Calgary and former goaltender Niklas Backstrom to Xcel Energy Center. Colorado, who will be without top forwards Matt Duchene and Nathan MacKinnon, faces Philadelphia at Pepsi Center.

TODAY’S CLINCHING SCENARIOS
The Ducks will clinch a playoff berth if they get at least one point against the Maple Leafs OR if the Coyotes lose to the Stars in any fashion.

The Sharks will clinch a playoff berth if they defeat the Oilers in any fashion OR if they get one point against the Oilers AND the Coyotes lose to the Stars in any fashion OR if the Coyotes lose to the Stars in regulation.

MILESTONES &MUSINGS

• Senators forward Bobby Ryan played in his 600th NHL game.
• The NHL announced that the 2017 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series between the Penguins and Flyers at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh has been moved to Saturday, Feb. 25.
• Senators captain Erik Karlsson registered his League-leading 62nd assist of the season
• Teammate Mark Stone (1-0—1) ranks fourth in the NHL with 12-15—27 in 25 games since the All-Star break
• Bruins forward Brad Marchand (34-21—55 in 69 GP) collected one assist to match his career high for points one season, established in 2011-12 (28-27—55 in 76 GP)
• Rangers forward Derek Stepan (1-2—3) recorded his first three-point game since April 6, 2015 vs. CBJ (2-1—3)
• Teammate J.T. Miller reached the 20-goal milestone for the first time in his career
• The Department of Player Safety will have a hearing today with Blue Jackets forward Jared Boll for interference against Flyers forward Pierre-Edouard Bellemare

WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
NY ISLANDERS 3, Ottawa 1
NY RANGERS 5, Boston 2

SNEAK PEEK AT THURSDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Florida @ Boston, 7:00 p.m.
New Jersey @ Pittsburgh, 7:00 p.m.
Carolina @ Columbus, 7:00 p.m.
Anaheim @ Toronto, 7:30 p.m.
Montreal @ Detroit Red Wings, 7:30 p.m.
Vancouver @ Nashville, 8:00 p.m.
Calgary @ Minnesota, 8:00 p.m.
Los Angeles @ Winnipeg, 8:00 p.m.
Philadelphia @ Colorado, 9:00 p.m.
Dallas @ Arizona, 10:00 p.m.
Edmonton @ San Jose, 10:30 p.m.