NHL Playoff Race Heats Up: Sunday's Pivotal Matchups to Watch as Teams Battle for Postseason Spots

NHL Playoff Picture: Breaking Down Sunday's Crucial Matchups

With just weeks remaining in the regular season, every game carries massive implications for teams fighting for postseason position. Here's what hockey fans should be watching closely on Sunday:

Eastern Conference Showdowns

1. Islanders vs. Capitals (12:30 p.m. ET, TNT)

   • The Islanders face a must-win situation as they attempt to keep their slim playoff hopes alive against division-leading Washington
   • New York needs to contain Alex Ovechkin while generating enough offense to overcome their seven-point deficit for the final wild card spot

2. Canadiens at Predators (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+)

   • Montreal currently holds the final Eastern wild card spot but can't afford any missteps
   • The Habs face a Predators team playing spoiler in what could be a trap game

Western Conference Battles

1. Stars at Wild (3 p.m. ET, TNT)

   • Minnesota clings to the final West wild card spot, just four points ahead of Calgary
   • Dallas seeks to close the gap on Winnipeg for the conference's top seed

2. Golden Knights at Canucks (10 p.m. ET, ESPN)

   • Vancouver's fading playoff hopes face a tough test against Stanley Cup contenders Vegas

Updated Standings & Projections

As of Sunday morning, here's how the playoff picture looks:

Key Storylines to Watch

• Crunch Time for Bubble Teams: With only 5-7 games remaining for most clubs, every point matters in the tight wild card races
• Goalie Matchups: Netminders will be especially crucial in these pressure-packed games
• Injury Reports: Several teams are dealing with last-minute roster decisions that could impact outcomes

Today's Full Schedule

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