First Screen Viewing
Lightning vs. Maple Leafs – 6pm
It’s not that these two have much to play for. The Bolts could have quit somewhere around Valentine’s Day, gone to the beach, called up the entire AHL team, and brought everyone back to round into shape in April and still be top of the league. The Leafs are locked into a first-round date with the Bruins yet again (and you can be sure if they get past them this time there will be another “THEY SLAYED THE DRAGON” call), and the only thing left to decide who has home ice. If that’s a big deal, which it probably isn’t. Still, when two of the top five get together, you have to imagine they’ll be up for it. This might be a good time for Mike Babcock to see if he has it in him to just see if his team can outrun the Lightning. They aren’t going to be able to defend them. There are no statement games, but neither will take it off either.
Second Screen Viewing
Hurricanes vs. Avalanche – 8pm
Our favorite sons don’t have anything sewn up yet, though clocking the Predators on the road sure helped. They’re in the first wild card spot, which is the bare minimum as being the last one in just means getting walloped by the Lightning and that’s no prize at all. They’re sandwiched between the Isles and Pens, so there’s work to be done. The Avs have more work to do, two points out and the Yotes to leapfrog. Two teams that don’t slow it down at altitude.
Other Games
Blue Jackets vs. Islanders – 6pm
Senators vs. Flyers – 6pm
Sharks vs. Wild – 7pm
Rangers vs. Oilers – 8pm
