Welcome to the Stanley Cup Playoffs Buzz, a daily look at the races for the 2018 NHL postseason.
There are 28 days left in the regular season and the races in each conference are wide open. Here is a look at the NHL standings and the games from Sunday that directly impacted the Stanley Cup Playoff picture:
About Last Night
Pittsburgh Penguins 3, Dallas Stars 1 — The Penguins moved into first place in the Metropolitan Division, taking a one-point lead on the Washington Capitals. The Stars remained two points ahead of the Colorado Avalanche for the first wild card into the playoffs from the Western Conference, and three points behind third-place Minnesota Wild in the Central Division.
New York Islanders 5, Calgary Flames 2 — Goalie Christopher Gibson made 50 saves to help the Islanders end an eight-game losing streak and move within seven points of the Columbus Blue Jackets for the second wild card from the East. Calgary remained two points behind the Los Angeles Kings for the second wild card in the West.
Chicago Blackhawks 3, Boston Bruins 1 — The Bruins saw their six-game winning streak come to an end and remained six points behind the first-place Tampa Bay Lighting in the Atlantic Division. The Blackhawks are 12 points behind the Kings for the second wild card.
Arizona 1, Vancouver Canucks 0 —Darcy Kuemper had his first shutout for the Coyotes, who have 13 of 20 standings points in their past 10 games, but are 25 points behind Colorado for the second wild card from the West. Vancouver is 21 points behind the Avalanche.
If Playoffs Started Today
Here is a look at the matchups for the first round as they stand today:
Eastern Conference
(1A) Tampa Bay Lightning vs (WC2) Columbus Blue Jackets
(1M) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (WC1) New Jersey Devils
(2M) Washington Capitals vs. (3M) Philadelphia Flyers
(2A) Boston Bruins vs. (3A) Toronto Maple Leafs
Western Conference
(1C) Nashville Predators vs. (WC2) Colorado Avalanche
(1P) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (WC1) Dallas Stars
(2C) Winnipeg Jets vs. (3C) Minnesota Wild
(2P) San Jose Sharks vs. (3P) Anaheim Ducks
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