The Ottawa Senators secured their third consecutive victory by limiting the Rangers to a mere nine shots, bringing them within two points of a playoff berth—a position they haven’t held since January 3. Looking ahead, Tuesday’s ESPN doubleheader features a Metropolitan Division showdown between the Blue Jackets and Flyers, followed by Connor McDavid and the Oilers taking on the Mammoth. McDavid is on the verge of making history as he approaches 1,200 career points, potentially becoming the third-fastest player to reach this milestone.
Another exciting matchup on NHL on TNT pits Art Ross Trophy frontrunner Nikita Kucherov of the Lightning against Norris Trophy candidate Quinn Hughes and the Wild.
Senators Secure Third Consecutive Win, Edge Closer to Wild Card Spot
The Ottawa Senators (37-24-9, 83 points) defeated the Rangers, closing the gap to just two points behind the inactive Islanders (40-26-5, 85 points) for the Eastern Conference’s second Wild Card position. This tight playoff race sees four teams (Detroit, Ottawa, Philadelphia, & Washington) within six points of the final postseason berth.
This marks the first time since January 3 that Ottawa has been within two points of a playoff spot, a remarkable turnaround given they were 10 points out on January 30. If they qualify, the Senators would be the only team to overcome a 10-point deficit multiple times since the 2013-14 playoff format change, having also done so after being down 14 points in 2014-15.
Notably, the Senators limited the Rangers to just nine shots on goal, setting a new franchise record for fewest shots allowed in a game. This feat hasn’t been achieved by any team since December 4, 2003, when New Jersey allowed nine shots against Washington.
Quick Highlights
- Playoff races intensify as the season enters its final stretch.
- Nikita Kucherov, Filip Forsberg, and Cole Caufield were recognized as the NHL’s ‘Three Stars’ of the Week.
- Steven Stamkos’s recent goal-scoring surge for the Predators is highlighted by NHL EDGE stats.
- The Rangers honored Mika Zibanejad’s upcoming 1,000th NHL game with a unique gesture: wearing long wigs.
- The Hurricanes and Kraken are set to compete in the 2026 Global Series in Finland.
15-Game Slate Showcases Playoff Battles, Star Power, and More
A packed 15-game schedule is set to deliver thrilling matchups. An ESPN+ and Hulu doubleheader will feature intraconference rivals, with the Blue Jackets visiting the Flyers, followed by the Mammoth hosting the Oilers. NHL on TNT will broadcast a clash between the league’s top scorer, Nikita Kucherov of the Lightning, and Norris contender Quinn Hughes and the Wild. Additionally, Nova Scotia natives Nathan MacKinnon and Sidney Crosby will face off on Sportsnet.
The Columbus Blue Jackets (37-22-11, 85 points) currently hold third place in the Metropolitan Division, just one point shy of Pittsburgh (35-19-16, 86 points) for second. They aim to secure a playoff spot for the first time since 2019-20, with Charlie Coyle, third in team points, playing a key role in his inaugural season with Columbus. Coyle boasts the NHL’s longest active streak of consecutive playoff appearances, having made it in each of his first 13 seasons. Should he continue this trend, he would become only the 21st player in league history, and the first since Paul Martin (2003-04 to 2017-18), to participate in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for his first 14 campaigns.
Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner is also vital to their 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs campaign, his dedication resonating across Columbus. A ‘Hockey Fights Cancer Champion,’ Jenner regularly connects with families and children battling cancer, finding inspiration and perspective in these impactful interactions.
The ESPN doubleheader wraps up with Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers (34-28-9, 77 points) seeking to advance in the Pacific Division against the Mammoth (37-28-6, 80 points), who have held the first Wild Card spot since February 2. McDavid (399 goals, 799 assists, 1,198 points in 783 games) is on the verge of significant career milestones. With just two more points, he would become the third-fastest player in NHL history to reach 1,200 points, trailing only legends Wayne Gretzky (504 GP) and Mario Lemieux (593 GP).
On TNT, the Art Ross Trophy leader Nikita Kucherov (40 goals, 79 assists, 119 points) will face Norris Trophy contender Quinn Hughes (6 goals, 63 assists, 69 points). Kucherov has recently surged, establishing a three-point lead over McDavid (38 goals, 78 assists, 116 points) after being eight points behind just eight days prior. He is one assist shy of his fifth career 80-assist season, which would tie him with Bobby Orr for the third-most in NHL history, behind only Wayne Gretzky (14) and Mario Lemieux (6). Hughes is also closing in on his fourth consecutive 70-point season, a rare achievement for a defenseman, accomplished by only seven others in NHL history.
Nathan MacKinnon (8 goals, 17 assists, 25 points in 19 GP) and Sidney Crosby (9 goals, 7 assists, 16 points in 19 GP) are set for their 20th career matchup, with Colorado holding a slight edge (10-6-3 vs. Pittsburgh’s 9-9-1). The Penguins aim to follow the Avalanche’s lead, who have already secured a 2026 Stanley Cup Playoff berth, and clinch their own postseason spot for the first time since 2021-22. If successful, Crosby and Evgeni Malkin could join Corey Perry (17) and Alex Ovechkin (16) as the only active players to participate in 16 different postseasons.
More “Must-See” Moments as 30 Teams Hit the Ice
With 30 teams in action on Tuesday, numerous compelling storylines unfold as playoff races intensify and emerging stars continue to make their mark across the league.
Matthew Schaefer (22 goals, 29 assists, 51 points in 71 GP) and the New York Islanders (40-26-5, 85 points) hold a one-point lead for the Eastern Conference’s second Wild Card spot. They are also just two points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins (35-19-16, 86 points) for second in the Metropolitan Division, which would secure home-ice advantage in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round. Schaefer, with two goals in his last three games and a team-leading 10 points this month (4 goals, 6 assists), is one goal away from tying Brian Leetch’s 1988-89 record (23 goals) for the most goals by a rookie defenseman in NHL history.
A crucial Eastern Conference Wild Card battle unfolds at Little Caesars Arena as the Detroit Red Wings (38-24-8, 84 points) face the Ottawa Senators (37-24-9, 83 points). Detroit, currently just outside the playoff picture, is one point behind the NY Islanders for the second Wild Card spot, with a game in hand. Aiming for their first playoff berth since 2015-16, the Red Wings are powered by Alex DeBrincat (35 goals, 38 assists, 73 points in 70 GP) and Lucas Raymond (22 goals, 46 assists, 68 points in 68 GP). If they maintain their scoring pace, they would be the first pair of Red Wings teammates to average at least a point per game in the same season (minimum 30 games) since Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg in 2012-13.
The Pacific Division-leading Anaheim Ducks (39-27-4, 82 points) are one win away from their first 40-win season since 2017-18, which also marked their last playoff appearance. Their success this season is partly attributed to a league-leading 10 third-period comeback wins (tied with Vegas). Additionally, Jackson LaCombe (9 goals, 40 assists, 49 points in 70 GP) is close to becoming the franchise’s fifth 50-point scorer this season, and the first defenseman to do so since Lubomir Visnovsky (2010-11). The Ducks have achieved five or more 50-point players in a single season four times previously: 2006-07 (6), 2010-11 (5), 2008-09 (5), and 1998-99 (5).
The Nashville Predators (33-28-9, 75 points) have surged into the Western Conference’s second Wild Card spot on the strength of the NHL’s longest active win streak (4 games), having been four points out previously. They now aim to hold off Macklin Celebrini (35 goals, 61 assists, 96 points in 68 GP) and the San Jose Sharks (32-20-6, 70 points). Celebrini, currently fifth in overall scoring, is close to reaching 100 points this season and 100 career assists (99 in 138 games). If he achieves the latter, the Sharks forward would join an elite group as only the fifth teenager in NHL history with 100 or more career assists, alongside Sidney Crosby (147), Wayne Gretzky (144), Dale Hawerchuk (109), and Steve Yzerman (107).