Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM MT (local) / 9:00 PM ET Venue:Rogers Place, 10214 104 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 0H6 Broadcast: ESPN+ / Sportsnet
This is a Pacific Division showdown between two playoff‑bound teams: Edmonton riding a five‑game winning streak, and Vegas trying to stabilize after a mixed stretch.
Injury Report
Vegas Golden Knights
No specific injuries listed in retrieved sources, but goaltending rotation includes Akira Schmid, Adin Hill, Carter Hart, and Carl Lindbom.
Edmonton Oilers
Leon Draisaitl — IR‑LT (expected return Apr 20)
Colton Dach — IR‑LT (expected return Apr 4)
Mattias Janmark — IR‑LT (expected return Sept 15)
Team Statistical Profile
Vegas Golden Knights (34‑26‑16)
Points %: .547
GF/GP: 3.17
GA/GP: 3.05
Shots For: 28.8 per game
Shots Against: 24.3 per game
Power Play: 24.2%
Penalty Kill: 81.6%
Goaltending
Akira Schmid: 16‑10‑6, 2.59 GAA, .893 SV%
Adin Hill: 10‑9‑5, 3.06 GAA, .868 SV%
Key Skaters
Jack Eichel: 79 points (25 G, 54 A)
Pavel Dorofeyev: 35 goals
Edmonton Oilers (39‑28‑9)
Points %: .577
GF/GP: 3.47
GA/GP: 3.28
Shots For: 29.8 per game
Shots Against: 26.9 per game
Power Play:31.0% (1st in NHL)
Penalty Kill: 77.8%
Goaltending
Tristan Jarry: 18‑9‑2, 3.26 GAA, .885 SV%
Connor Ingram: 14‑8‑2, 2.69 GAA, .898 SV%
Key Skaters
Connor McDavid: 126 points (43 G, 83 A)
Evan Bouchard: 6 assists in last 5 games
Recent Team Form
Vegas — Last 5 Games
W 6–3 vs CGY
W 4–2 vs VAN
L 5–4 SO vs WSH
L 4–3 OT vs EDM
L 4–1 @ WPG
Edmonton — Last 5 Games
W 3–1 vs CHI
W 3–0 vs SEA
W 4–2 vs ANA
W 4–3 OT @ VGK
W 5–2 @ UTA
Trend: Edmonton enters on a five‑game winning streak, the hottest stretch of either team.
Key Player Matchups
Jack Eichel (VGK) vs. Connor McDavid (EDM)
Eichel: 79 points
McDavid: 126 points (league‑leading tier)
This is a premier matchup of elite two‑way center vs. the NHL’s most dynamic offensive force.
Pavel Dorofeyev (VGK) vs. Zach Hyman / Oilers Wingers
Dorofeyev’s 35 goals make him Vegas’ top finisher, but Edmonton’s depth scoring has been more consistent.
Goaltending: Schmid/Hill vs. Jarry/Ingram
Vegas’ tandem has been inconsistent (SV% under .900).
Edmonton’s Ingram has the best numbers in the matchup (.898 SV%).
Series History
Edmonton leads the season series 2–0.
Last meeting: Oilers 4–3 OT win on March 26.
Betting Trends
Vegas Trends
2–3 in last 5
Power play strong (24.2%)
Struggling defensively (3.05 GA/GP)
Edmonton Trends
5–0 in last 5
NHL‑best 31% power play
Outscoring opponents 19–6 in last 5 games
Game Odds
Vegas Golden Knights 6.5
Edmonton Oilers – 115
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, April 3, 2026
The USA TODAY Sportsbook Wire confirms updated injury lists for both teams, though the article does not specify individual names. No additional injury details were provided in the NHL or Doc’s Sports previews.
Team Statistical Profile
Toronto Maple Leafs (32‑31‑13)
Points %: .513
Goals For: 234 (16th NHL)
Goals Against: 260
Shot Attempts: 2,015 (11.6% shooting)
Shots Against: 2,436 (.893 team save percentage)
Power Play: 19.67% (36 goals on 183 opportunities)
From the sports card: L‑W‑L‑W‑W Most recent: 5–4 win vs. Anaheim, scoring 2 PPG on 5 attempts and converting 5 goals on 29 shots.
Los Angeles — Last 5 Games
From the sports card: L‑W‑L‑W‑L Most recent: 2–1 win vs. St. Louis, converting 1 PPG on 3 attempts.
Key Player Matchups
Auston Matthews (TOR) vs. Anze Kopitar (LAK)
Matthews: 27 G, 26 A, 53 PTS in 60 GP, 59.7% FO%
Kopitar: Kings’ top veteran center and primary matchup forward.
William Nylander (TOR) vs. Artemi Panarin (LAK)
Nylander: 65 PTS in 54 GP, 24 G, 41 A
Panarin: 4 goals in last 5 games (NHL.com “Players to Watch”).
Goaltending: Woll (TOR) vs. Kuemper (LAK)
Woll: .905 SV% this season, 3.17 GAA
Kuemper: .897 SV%, 2.65 GAA, 4 shutouts
Advantage: Slight edge to Kuemper based on season consistency.
Series History
The retrieved sources do not provide season‑series results. However, the Kings and Leafs meet twice annually in cross‑conference play, typically producing tight, low‑event games due to LA’s defensive structure.
Betting Trends
Toronto Trends
Officially eliminated from playoff contention, which may impact motivation and lineup experimentation.
Scoring well recently (5 goals vs. ANA).
Penalty issues: 61 PIM in last game.
Los Angeles Trends
Strong defensive metrics (2.93 team GAA).
Power play struggles (26th NHL).
Home‑ice advantage at Crypto.com Arena.
Game Odds
Toronto Maple Leafs 5.5
Los Angeles Kings – 186
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, April 3, 2026
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET Venue:Nationwide Arena, 200 W Nationwide Blvd, Columbus, OH 43215 Broadcast: ESPN+
This matchup features a Jets team fighting to stay alive in the Western Conference race and a Blue Jackets squad trying to halt a five‑game losing streak.
Injury Report
Winnipeg Jets
Vladislav Namestnikov — OUT (lower body)
Colin Miller — OUT (knee)
Nino Niederreiter — OUT (lower body)
Elias Salomonsson — Day‑to‑day (undisclosed)
Columbus Blue Jackets
Brendan Smith — OUT (knee)
Dmitri Voronkov — OUT (hand)
Mathieu Olivier — OUT (upper body)
Mason Marchment — Day‑to‑day (undisclosed)
Damon Severson — OUT for season (shoulder)
Team Statistical Profile
Winnipeg Jets (32‑31‑12)
Points: 76
Goals For: 211
Goals Against: 224
GF/GP: 2.81
GA/GP: 3.03
Shots For: 26.3 per game
Shots Against: 27.8 per game
Power Play: 17.3%
Penalty Kill: 78.2%
Goaltending
Connor Hellebuyck: 20‑21‑11, 2.81 GAA, .898 SV%
Eric Comrie: 12‑9‑1, 2.90 GAA, .897 SV%
Top Skaters
Mark Scheifele: 92 points (34 G, 58 A)
Kyle Connor: 85 points
Gabriel Vilardi: 62 points
Columbus Blue Jackets (38‑26‑12)
Points: 88
Goals For: 3.08 per game
Goals Against: 3.08 per game
Shots For: 29.1 per game
Shots Against: 28.9 per game
Power Play: 19.67%
Penalty Kill: 76.42%
Goaltending
Jet Greaves: 24‑15‑9, 2.59 GAA, .909 SV%
Elvis Merzlikins: 14‑11‑3, 3.40 GAA, .883 SV%
Top Skaters
Zach Werenski: 78 points (21 G, 57 A)
Kirill Marchenko: 63 points
Charlie Coyle: 56 points
Recent Team Form
Jets — Last 5 Games
L 3–0 @ DAL
W 4–3 OT @ CHI
W 4–2 @ COL
L 3–2 vs COL
W 4–1 vs VGK
Trend: Winnipeg is 3–2 in its last five, with strong road performances.
Blue Jackets — Last 5 Games
L 5–1 @ CAR
L 5–2 vs CAR
L 4–3 SO vs BOS
L 3–2 vs SJ
L 2–1 @ MTL
Trend: Columbus enters on a five‑game losing streak, scoring just 8 goals in that span.
Key Player Matchups
Mark Scheifele (WPG) vs. Zach Werenski (CBJ)
Scheifele drives Winnipeg’s offense with elite playmaking.
Werenski is Columbus’ top point‑producer and power‑play quarterback.
Kyle Connor (WPG) vs. Jet Greaves (CBJ)
Connor’s 85‑point season makes him Winnipeg’s most dangerous finisher.
Greaves’ .909 SV% is a stabilizing force for Columbus.
Connor Hellebuyck (WPG) vs. Columbus Shooting Volume
Columbus averages 29.1 shots per game, top‑10 in the league.
Hellebuyck’s .898 SV% suggests potential vulnerability under heavy pressure.
Series History
Winnipeg leads the season series 1–0, winning 5–2 on November 18.
Betting Trends
Winnipeg Jets
3–2 in last 5
Strong recent road play
Power play struggles (17.3%)
Columbus Blue Jackets
0–5 in last 5
Offense cooling off (1.6 goals per game in last 5)
Strong home record (20‑10‑8)
Game Odds
Winnipeg Jets 6.5
Columbus Blue Jackets – 142
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, April 3, 2026
Puck drop is scheduled for 4:00 PM ET Venue:Capital One Arena, 601 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004 Broadcast: ESPN+ (per ESPN pregame listing)
This is a meaningful Eastern Conference matchup between a 46‑win Sabres team pushing for top‑seed positioning and a Capitals squad fighting to secure playoff stability. Washington is strong at home (23‑11‑5), while Buffalo enters with one of the conference’s best road records (22‑12‑4).
Injury Report
No injury details were provided in the retrieved sources. Because neither ESPN nor NHL.com listed injuries in the pregame materials, no verified injury statuses are available.
Team Statistical Profile
Buffalo Sabres (46‑22‑8)
Away Record: 22‑12‑4
Recent Form: 2–3 in last 5 (L‑W‑W‑L‑L)
Strengths:
Strong road performance
High‑tempo offense
Weaknesses:
Recent inconsistency
Washington Capitals (38‑29‑9)
Home Record: 23‑11‑5
Recent Form: 3–2 in last 5 (L‑W‑W‑W‑L)
Strengths:
Strong home‑ice advantage
Solid defensive structure
Weaknesses:
Inconsistent scoring
Recent Team Form
Buffalo — Last 5 Games
Loss
Win
Win
Loss
Loss
Washington — Last 5 Games
Loss
Win
Win
Win
Loss
Washington enters with better momentum, winning three of its last five, while Buffalo has dropped three of its last five.
Kuznetsov: Washington’s top playmaker, driving offensive zone entries.
Rasmus Dahlin (BUF) vs. Capitals Forecheck
Dahlin: One of the NHL’s top young defensemen, critical to Buffalo’s breakout game.
Goaltending Battle
No goalie stats were provided in the sources, but Buffalo’s road success suggests strong away goaltending, while Washington’s home record indicates reliable netminding at Capital One Arena.
Series History
The National Day Today preview notes a long‑standing rivalry between the Sabres and Capitals, with both teams regularly battling for Eastern Conference positioning.
While no specific head‑to‑head results were provided in the retrieved sources, the rivalry context suggests competitive, physical matchups.
Betting Trends
Buffalo Sabres Trends
Strong road team (22‑12‑4)
Recent inconsistency (2–3 last 5)
Capable of explosive scoring but prone to defensive lapses
Washington Capitals Trends
Excellent home record (23‑11‑5)
Better recent form (3–2 last 5)
More stable defensive play at home
Game Odds
Buffalo Sabres – 115
Washington Capitals 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, April 3, 2026
* The Flyers came out with a crucial regulation win in a Metropolitan Division clash against the third-place Islanders. Philadelphia, which sat as many as nine points out of a postseason position this season, are one of five teams separated by a point in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
* PhilipBroberg and the Blues have faced a standings deficit of 14 points this season and now sit three points back of the Sharks for the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference thanks to a regulation win against the Ducks.
* Saturday’s 15-game slate has it all: an ABC matinee doubleheader, Sportsnet’s Hockey Night in Canada, potential Stanley Cup Playoffs spots being clinched and stars hitting scoring plateaus.
FLYERS ADD TO LOGJAM IN EAST PLAYOFF RACE WITH KEY DIVISIONAL WIN MatveiMichkov (1-2—3) factored on three of four Philadelphia goals as the Flyers (38-26-12, 88 points) earned a vital regulation win against the Metropolitan Division-rival Islanders (42-30-5, 89 points). Philadelphia and New York are two of five teams in the Eastern Conference separated by one point, and two of six separated by four points.
* The 2025-26 season is the third in NHL history to feature five teams in a Conference vying for a playoff spot and separated by one point (min. 75 GP each team), following 2011-12 (last date: March 25, 2012) and 1996-97 (April 1, 1997). Of note, all three instances featured at least one team occupying a playoff spot.
* Philadelphia improved to 13-6-1 since the NHL returned from the Olympic break – a win total bested by only the Sabres (14-3-2) – and trailed the playoff picture by as many as nine points on March 10. The Flyers are one of eight teams in the mix for a spot in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs who are looking to clinch a berth after facing a standings deficit of eight or more points (also STL: 14, NSH: 11, WPG: 11, OTT: 10, CBJ: 9, WSH: 8 & BUF: 8). The 2025-26 season can be the first in NHL history to feature four teams overcome a standings deficit of eight or more points en route to a postseason berth (most: 3 in 2023-24 & 1990-91).
BROBERG EXTENDS STRING OF SUCCESS IN PLAYOFF PUSH, #NHLSTATS: LIVE UPDATES
PhilipBroberg (0-2—2) and the Blues (32-31-12, 76 points) continued their pursuit of the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference with a win in Anaheim against the Ducks – who were overtaken by the idle Oilers for top spot in the Pacific Division after the regulation loss. St. Louis, which moved within three points of idle San Jose (36-31-7, 79 points), own the most regulation wins (28) – the first tie-breaker outside of games played – among six clubs battling to get above the playoff line (next closest: NSH, WPG & SEA all w/ 25). Click here for everything you need to know from the latest edition of #NHLStats: Live Updates.
15-GAME SATURDAY FEATURES ABC DOUBLEHEADER, SIX GAMES ON HNIC
The second last 15-game day of the regular season is packed with national broadcasts and playoff races, featuring a doubleheader on ABC as well as six contests on Hockey Night in Canada.
* The Red Wings (40-27-8, 88 points) have not occupied a playoff position since March 21 but will look to leapfrog the Senators (39-26-10, 88 points) for the second Wild Card spot in the East when they open ABC Hockey Saturday against the Rangers. Alex DeBrincat needs one tally to become the first skater to record a 40-goal season with Detroit since Marian Hossa (40 in 2008-09).
* ABC moves west for the second half of its doubleheader, where the Avalanche (49-15-10, 108 points) and Stars (45-19-12, 102 points) meet in a Central Division clash. Colorado, skating in its 75th game of the season, can establish its second-fastest pace to 50 wins in a campaign behind 2021-22 (70 GP), while Brent Burns is set to join Phil Kessel (1,064 GP) as the second player in NHL history to skate in 1,000 consecutive contests.
* The Lightning, who face off against the Bruins, are inching towards their ninth consecutive postseason berth, which would match the Avalanche for the longest active run in the NHL. Nikita Kucherov (398) is closing in on becoming the second player in franchise history to reach the 400-goal milestone.
* The Sabres visit the Capitals as they continue the hunt for their first playoff berth since 2011 while Tage Thompson enters the weekend two tallies shy of becoming the fifth player in franchise history with at least three 40-goal seasons. Thompson, who netted 44 last season, can also become the first Sabres skater to record consecutive 40-goal campaigns since Pat LaFontaine (2 from 1991-92 – 1992-93).
* The Sharks (36-31-7, 79 points) overtook the Kings (30-26-19, 79 points) for the second Wild Card spot in the West on Thursday, and that position will be on the line again tonight when San Jose faces off against Nashville (35-31-9, 79 points). Macklin Celebrini (40-65—105 in 74 GP) is on pace to set the Sharks’ record for points in a season and is two points shy of tying Jimmy Carson (107 in 1987-88) for the third-highest single-season total by a teenager in NHL history, behind only Wayne Gretzky (137 in 1979-80) and Sidney Crosby (120 in 2006-07).
WHAT TO WATCH FOR ON HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA
The penultimate Hockey Night in Canada of 2025-26 features more storylines to look out for as the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs quickly approach.
* Montreal (44-21-10, 98 points) will visit New Jersey, where it can earn an eighth straight win and become the sixth team this season to reach 100 points – the last time they hit the mark was in 2016-17 (103 points). Contributing to the Canadiens’ recent success has been Cole Caufield (49-34—83 in 75 GP), whose nine goals since the beginning of the streak (March 21) leads all players. Caufield has scored in each of his past four outings and is on the precipice of the first 50-goal season by a Canadiens skater since Stephane Richer in 1989-90.
* The Jets (32-31-12, 76 points) face off against the Blue Jackets (38-26-12, 88 points) as both clubs vie to get above the playoff line. Columbus is currently tied with Ottawa, which holds Wild Card 2, Detroit and Philadelphia in terms of standings points and is in the middle of a battle for the final Wild Card spot that features six teams separated by four points. The Western Conference Wild Card 2 spot is also still up for grabs as six teams are separated by just four points, one of them being the Jets, who continue to climb the standings and is just three points back of the playoff line.
* Connor McDavid (43-83—126 in 76 GP) and the Oilers (39-28-9, 87 points) will put their five-game winning streak on the line in a pivotal Pacific Division duel against the Golden Knights (34-26-16, 84 points) as they aim to maintain their position atop their cohort. The Oilers captain is approaching his third career 130-point season, which would tie Marcel Dionne for the fourth most in NHL history behind Wayne Gretzky (13), Mario Lemieux (6) and Phil Esposito (4). McDavid, the current front runner in the Art Ross Trophy race, has found the score sheet in a League-high 64 games this season and can bump that total to 70 for the second time in his career (75 GP in 2022-23) should he record a point in each of Edmonton’s final six contests of 2025-26.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET Venue:Prudential Center, 25 Lafayette Street, Newark, NJ 07102 Broadcast: NHL Network / MSG+
This is a late‑season Eastern Conference matchup between a surging Montréal team riding a five‑game winning streak and a New Jersey squad fighting to stay in the playoff picture.
Injury Report
Montréal Canadiens
Alexandre Texier — Day‑to‑day (lower body)
Alexandre Carrier — OUT (upper body)
Kirby Dach — OUT (upper body)
Patrik Laine — IR (abdomen)
New Jersey Devils
Arseny Gritsyuk — OUT (upper body)
Brett Pesce — OUT (lower body)
Stefan Noesen — OUT for season (knee)
Zack MacEwen — OUT for season (ACL)
Team Statistical Profile
Montréal Canadiens (44‑21‑10)
GF/GP: 3.51 (3rd in NHL)
GA/GP: 3.08
Shots For: 26.4 per game
Shots Against: 27.7 per game
Power Play: 24.41% (5th)
Penalty Kill: 77.16%
New Jersey Devils (39‑34‑2)
GF/GP: 2.77 (27th)
GA/GP: 3.07
Shots For: 29.8 per game (4th)
Shots Against: 27.4 per game
Power Play: 22.80% (10th)
Penalty Kill: 79.06%
Recent Team Form
Canadiens — Last 5 Games
W 3–2 @ NYR
W 4–1 @ TB
W 3–1 @ CAR
W 4–1 @ NSH
W 2–1 vs CBJ
Trend: Montréal enters on a five‑game winning streak, allowing just 6 goals over that span.
Devils — Last 5 Games
W 7–3 vs WSH
L 4–1 @ NYR
W 5–3 vs CHI
L 5–2 @ CAR
W 4–2 @ NSH
Trend: New Jersey is 3–2 in its last five, with inconsistent defensive results.
Key Player Matchups
Nick Suzuki (MTL) vs. Jack Hughes (NJD)
Suzuki: 94 points (27 G, 67 A)
Hughes: 68 points (24 G, 44 A)
This is a premier matchup of elite playmaking centers.
Cole Caufield (MTL) vs. Nico Hischier (NJD)
Caufield: 49 goals, Montréal’s top finisher
Hischier: 26 goals, New Jersey’s most reliable two‑way forward
Goaltending: Jakub Dobes (MTL) vs. Jacob Markstrom (NJD)
Dobes: 26‑8‑4, 2.73 GAA, .903 SV%
Markstrom: 22‑18‑1, 3.12 GAA, .883 SV%
Montreal holds the statistical edge in net.
Series History
The Devils won the previous meeting 4–1 against the Rangers before this matchup, while Montréal defeated Tampa Bay 4–1 in its last outing.
No direct head‑to‑head results for this season were provided, but Montréal enters with significantly stronger recent form.
Betting Trends
Montréal Trends
5‑0 in last five games
Elite power play (24.4%)
Strong road record (22‑8‑8)
New Jersey Trends
3‑2 in last five
High shot volume (29.8 per game)
Inconsistent goaltending (Markstrom .883 SV%)
Game Odds
Montréal Canadiens – 122
New Jersey Devils 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, April 3, 2026
Venue:Benchmark International Arena, Tampa, Florida Broadcast: ESPN+
This is a marquee Eastern Conference matchup between two playoff‑bound teams: Tampa Bay sitting 2nd in the conference with 100 points, and Boston sitting 5th with 94 points. Both teams enter in strong form, with Tampa winning 3 of its last 5 and Boston winning 4 of its last 5.
Injury Report
Boston Bruins
Mason Lohrei — Day‑to‑day (upper body)
Dans Locmelis — OUT until Sept. 15
Tampa Bay Lightning
Nikita Kucherov — Day‑to‑day
Victor Hedman — OUT (personal), expected return Apr 4
Maxwell Crozier — IR‑LT (abdomen), out until Apr 29
Declan Carlile — IR, out until Apr 13
Dominic James — IR, out until Apr 30
Team Statistical Profile
Boston Bruins (43‑25‑8)
Goals For per game: 3.32
Goals Against per game: 3.07
Shots For: 27.4 per game
Shots Against: 30.0 per game
Power Play: 23.8%
Penalty Kill: 76.4%
Goaltending
Jeremy Swayman: 30‑15‑4, 2.73 GAA, .908 SV%
Joonas Korpisalo: 12‑9‑4, 3.29 GAA, .891 SV%
Top Skaters
David Pastrňák: 29 G, 63 A, 92 PTS
Morgan Geekie: 34 G
Tampa Bay Lightning (47‑22‑6)
Goals For per game: 3.60 (2nd in NHL)
Goals Against per game: 2.77 (3rd in NHL)
Shots For: 28.3 per game
Shots Against: 26.7 per game
Power Play: 21.4%
Penalty Kill: 81.97%
Goaltending
Andrei Vasilevskiy: 36‑13‑0, 2.33 GAA, .913 SV%
Jonas Johansson: 11‑9‑2, 3.21 GAA, .886 SV%
Top Skaters
Nikita Kucherov: 40 G, 81 A, 121 PTS
Jake Guentzel: 36 G, 47 A, 83 PTS
Brandon Hagel: 35 G, 38 A, 73 PTS
Recent Team Form
Bruins — Last 5 Games
W 4–3 SO @ CBJ
W 6–3 vs MIN
W 4–3 OT @ BUF
L 4–2 vs TOR
W 4–2 @ DET
Lightning — Last 5 Games
W 3–2 vs NSH
W 4–2 vs OTT
L 4–3 OT vs SEA
W 6–3 vs MIN
L 4–3 OT @ CGY
Key Player Matchups
David Pastrňák (BOS) vs. Nikita Kucherov (TB)
Two of the league’s elite playmakers:
Pastrňák: 92 points
Kucherov: 121 points (league‑leading tier)
Jeremy Swayman vs. Andrei Vasilevskiy
Swayman: .908 SV%
Vasilevskiy: .913 SV% Vasilevskiy holds the statistical edge and is one of the NHL’s most reliable big‑game goaltenders.
Bruins PP (23.8%) vs. Lightning PK (81.97%)
Boston’s power play is top‑10, but Tampa’s penalty kill is top‑5.
Series History
The search results did not provide direct head‑to‑head history for the season. However, both teams are long‑time Atlantic Division rivals with consistently competitive matchups.
Betting Trends
Boston Trends
4–1 in last 5 games
Scoring 4+ goals in 3 of last 5
Road record: 15‑14‑7
Tampa Bay Trends
3–2 in last 5
Elite home record: 23‑12‑1
Top‑3 offense in NHL (3.60 GF/G)
Game Odds
Boston Bruins 6.5
Tampa Bay Lightning – 175
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, April 3, 2026
Puck drop is scheduled for 3:00 PM EDT Venue:American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas Broadcast: ABC / ESPN+
This is a heavyweight Western Conference showdown between two Stanley Cup contenders. Colorado enters with 108 points and the league’s most explosive offense, while Dallas sits at 102 points and remains one of the NHL’s most balanced teams.
Injury Report
Colorado Avalanche
Cale Makar — OUT
Nicolas Roy — OUT
Dallas Stars
Tyler Myers — Day‑to‑day
Sam Steel — OUT
Michael Bunting — OUT
Nathan Bastian — OUT
Roope Hintz — OUT
Team Statistical Profile
Colorado Avalanche (49‑15‑10)
Points: 108
Goals For:280 (1st in NHL)
Goals Against: 187
GF/GP: 3.78
GA/GP: 2.53
Shots For: 33.8 per game
Shots Against: 26.2 per game
Power Play: 17.9%
Penalty Kill: 83.5%
Goaltending
Scott Wedgewood: 27‑6‑6, 2.19 GAA, .916 SV%
Mackenzie Blackwood: 21‑9‑1, 2.57 GAA, .899 SV%
Key Skaters
Nathan MacKinnon: 50 G, 71 A, 121 PTS
Martin Nečas: 35 G, 57 A, 92 PTS
Cale Makar: 20 G, 55 A, 75 PTS (OUT)
Dallas Stars (45‑19‑12)
Points: 102
Goals For: 250
Goals Against: 205
GF/GP: 3.33
GA/GP: 2.70
Shots For: 25.4 per game
Shots Against: 26.3 per game
Power Play:29.1% (1st in NHL)
Penalty Kill: 80.9%
Goaltending
Jake Oettinger: 31‑12‑6, 2.61 GAA, .900 SV%
Casey DeSmith: 14‑7‑6, 2.38 GAA, .909 SV%
Key Skaters
Jason Robertson: 40 G, 49 A, 89 PTS
Wyatt Johnston: 41 G
Miro Heiskanen: 53 assists
Recent Team Form
Colorado — Last 5 Games
L 8–6 vs VAN
W 9–2 vs CGY
L 4–2 vs WPG
W 3–2 @ WPG
W 6–2 @ PIT
Colorado’s offense is scorching (23 goals in last 5), but defensive lapses were exposed in the 8–6 loss to Vancouver. Sam Malinski scored twice in that defeat.
Dallas — Last 5 Games
W 3–0 vs ???
L 6–3 @ ???
L 2–1 OT @ ???
W 6–3 @ ???
L 2–1
Dallas has been inconsistent but remains elite at home (23‑10‑4).
Key Player Matchups
Nathan MacKinnon vs. Jason Robertson
MacKinnon: 121 points, +55
Robertson: 89 points, elite finisher
MacKinnon is the most dominant skater in this matchup, but Robertson’s efficiency keeps Dallas competitive.
Scott Wedgewood vs. Jake Oettinger
Wedgewood: .916 SV%, 2.19 GAA
Oettinger: .900 SV%, 2.61 GAA
Colorado has the statistical edge in net.
Stars Power Play vs. Avalanche Penalty Kill
Dallas PP: 29.1% (best in NHL)
Colorado PK: 83.5%
This is the most dangerous tactical mismatch of the game.
Series History
The search results did not provide historical head‑to‑head data. However, both teams are top‑tier Western Conference contenders and have met frequently in playoff‑level intensity games.
Betting Trends
Colorado leads NHL in goals (280).
Dallas leads NHL in power‑play goals (66).
Colorado is 25‑7‑5 on the road.
Dallas is 23‑10‑4 at home.
Game Odds
Colorado Avalanche – 115
Dallas Stars 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, April 3, 2026
