* 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.

* Philip Broberg 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
Matvei Michkov (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 

Philip Broberg (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.  

QUICK CLICKS

* Brady Tkachuk fined $2,500 for unsportsmanlike conduct in Senators game

* Jack Hughes, Aerin Frankel throw out 1st pitch at Yankees game

* Jessi Pierce honored by Wild, colleagues with press box memorial

* NHL EDGE stats: Macklin Celebrini building case for Hart Trophy with Sharks

* Rangers, Capitals answer questions from ‘Inside Out’ characters

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: PPG Paints Arena, 1001 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Broadcast: Sportsnet Pittsburgh / ESPN+

This is the second meeting of the season between the two clubs. Pittsburgh won the previous matchup 5–3, led by a Sidney Crosby two‑goal performance.

Injury Report

Florida Panthers

Florida is dealing with one of the most severe injury lists in the NHL, with multiple core players out for the season:

Cole Schwindt — out (lower body)

Brad Marchand — out (lower body)

Dmitry Kulikov — out (nose)

Evan Rodrigues — out for season (finger)

Sam Reinhart — out for season (foot)

Niko Mikkola — out for season (knee)

Anton Lundell — out for season (upper body)

Uvis Balinskis — out for season (foot)

Aaron Ekblad — out for season (finger)

Jonah Gadjovich — out for season (upper body)

Aleksander Barkov — out for season (knee)

Pittsburgh Penguins

Filip Hallander — out (leg)

Blake Lizotte — out (upper body)

Caleb Jones — out for season (lower body)

Recent Team Form

Pittsburgh Penguins — Last 10 Games

5‑4‑1, averaging 4.1 goals per game

Allowing 3.7 goals per game

Rickard Rakell: 8 goals, 5 assists in last 10

Florida Panthers — Last 10 Games

4‑6‑0, averaging 2.6 goals per game

Allowing 3.3 goals per game

Matthew Tkachuk: 5 goals, 6 assists in last 10

Key Player Matchups

Bryan Rust (PIT) vs. Carter Verhaeghe (FLA)

Rust: 27 G, 35 A — Pittsburgh’s most consistent scorer.

Verhaeghe: 23 G, 30 A — Florida’s top healthy offensive weapon.

Matthew Tkachuk (FLA) vs. Erik Karlsson (PIT)

Tkachuk leads Florida’s recent scoring surge.

Karlsson has 5 points in his last 5 games, driving Pittsburgh’s transition game.

Goaltending: Tarasov (FLA) vs. Skinner/Silovs (PIT)

Daniil Tarasov (FLA): 9‑13‑2, 3.01 GAA, .899 SV%

Stuart Skinner (PIT): 21‑14‑9, 2.88 GAA, .889 SV%

Arturs Silovs (PIT): 16‑10‑8, 2.99 GAA, .891 SV%

Series History

Previous meeting: Penguins won 5–3, with Sidney Crosby scoring twice.

Pittsburgh is 38‑6‑9 when scoring at least three goals, a key indicator for this matchup.

Betting Trends

Pittsburgh Penguins

5–4–1 in last 10

18–12–8 at home

Score 4.1 goals per game recently

Strong record when scoring 3+ goals (38‑6‑9)

Florida Panthers

4–6–0 in last 10

16–20–0 on the road

Severe injury losses impacting depth

Averaging only 2.6 goals per game recently

Game Odds

Florida Panthers               6.5

Pittsburgh Penguins       – 205

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

Puck drop is scheduled for 1:00 PM ET
Venue: Canadian Tire Centre, 1000 Palladium Drive, Ottawa, ON K2V 1A5
Broadcast: ESPN+ (U.S.) / TSN5 (Canada)

This is a meaningful late‑season cross‑conference matchup: Minnesota is pushing to solidify its playoff position, while Ottawa is fighting to stay above the cut line in a tight Eastern Conference race.

Injury Report

Minnesota Wild

Player (unnamed) — OUT until Sept. 15 (long‑term)

Ottawa Senators

Jake Sanderson — Day‑to‑day

Carter Yakemchuk — Day‑to‑day

Tyler Kleven — Day‑to‑day

Dennis Gilbert — OUT

Thomas Chabot — OUT

Ottawa’s blue line is heavily depleted, which could significantly impact defensive stability.

Team Statistical Profile

Minnesota Wild (42‑21‑12)

Points: 96

Goals For per game: 3.24

Goals Against per game: 2.84

Shots For: 29.6 per game

Shots Against: 29.7 per game

Power Play: 24.8%

Penalty Kill: 78.5%

Goaltending

Filip Gustavsson: 27–13–6, 2.56 GAA, .910 SV%

Jesper Wallstedt: 15–8–6, 2.73 GAA, .912 SV%

Top Skaters

Kirill Kaprizov: 40 G, 43 A, 83 PTS

Matt Boldy: 38 G, 37 A, 75 PTS

Quinn Hughes: 6 G, 63 A, 69 PTS

Ottawa Senators (39‑26‑10)

Points: 88

Goals For per game: 3.31

Goals Against per game: 3.07

Shots For: 28.9 per game

Shots Against: 24.3 per game

Power Play: 22.2%

Penalty Kill: 74.9%

Goaltending

Linus Ullmark: 24–11–8, 2.81 GAA, .887 SV%

James Reimer: 6–4–1, 2.42 GAA, .883 SV%

Top Skaters

Tim Stützle: 32 G, 44 A, 76 PTS

Warren Foegele: 4 G in last 5 games

Jordan Spence: 5 assists in last 5 games

Recent Team Form

Minnesota — Last 5 Games

W 5–2 vs VAN

L 6–3 @ BOS

W 3–2 @ FLA

L 6–3 @ TB

W 2–1 (OT) vs DAL

Trend: 3–2 in last 5, alternating wins and losses. Strong offensive output but inconsistent defensive results.

Ottawa — Last 5 Games

W 4–1 vs BUF

L 6–3 @ FLA

L 4–2 @ TB

L 4–3 (SO) vs PIT

W 3–2 @ DET

Trend: 2–3 in last 5, struggling defensively with 6 goals allowed in two recent losses.

Key Player Matchups

Kirill Kaprizov (MIN) vs. Tim Stützle (OTT)

Two elite offensive engines:

Kaprizov: 83 points, 253 shots

Stützle: 76 points, 182 shots

Filip Gustavsson (MIN) vs. Linus Ullmark (OTT)

Gustavsson: .910 SV%, 2.56 GAA

Ullmark: .887 SV%, 2.81 GAA

Minnesota has the clear edge in net.

Minnesota Defense vs. Ottawa’s Injury‑Depleted Blue Line

Ottawa missing five defensemen, including Chabot and Sanderson, gives Minnesota a major advantage in puck possession and zone entries.

Series History

The search results did not provide historical head‑to‑head data.
However, both teams enter with similar season trajectories and playoff aspirations, making this matchup particularly meaningful.

Betting Trends

Minnesota: 3.24 GF/G, 2.84 GA/G → balanced, playoff‑caliber metrics.

Ottawa: 3.31 GF/G, but 3.07 GA/G → defensive vulnerability.

Ottawa’s home record: 19–11–6 (strong).

Minnesota’s road record: 21–11–4 (also strong).

Game Odds

Minnesota Wild               5.5

Ottawa Senators              – 120

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, April 3, 2026

Venue: Madison Square Garden, 4 Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY 10001
Broadcast: ABC / MSG Network

This is a critical late‑season matchup with Detroit fighting for a playoff berth and the Rangers trying to salvage a difficult season.

Injury Report

Detroit Red Wings

Justin Faulk — Day‑to‑day (lower‑body), left previous game early and being evaluated in New York.

Michael Rasmussen — OUT until April 7.

Cam Talbot — Undisclosed injury, backup but available on bench recently.

New York Rangers

Urho Vaakanainen — OUT until April 11.

Matt Rempe — IR (out until September 15).

Team Statistical Profile

Detroit Red Wings (40‑27‑8)

Points: 86 (.581 points percentage)

Goals For: 214

Goals Against: 220

Power Play: 22.27% (51/229)

Penalty Kill: 77.8%

Shots For: 2,096 (10.2% shooting)

Shots Against: 2,056 (.893 team save percentage)

Goaltending:

John Gibson: 28‑19‑3, 2.61 GAA, .905 SV% (4 SO)

Cam Talbot: 12‑8‑5, 3.01 GAA, .892 SV%

Detroit is coming off a 4–2 win over Philadelphia, rebounding from a poor performance in Pittsburgh. Patrick Kane recorded a goal and two assists in that win.

New York Rangers (31‑36‑9)

Points: 71 (.473 points percentage)

Goals For: 212

Goals Against: 232

Power Play: 16th in NHL (47 PP goals)

Penalty Kill: 78.7%

Shots For: 25.3 per game

Shots Against: 29.2 per game

Goaltending:

Igor Shesterkin: 24‑17‑6, 2.53 GAA, .912 SV% (1 SO)

Jonathan Quick: 5‑16‑2, 3.18 GAA, .889 SV%

Rangers are coming off a 4–1 win over New Jersey, scoring on the power play and converting 4 goals on 22 shots.

Recent Team Form

Detroit — Last 5 Games

W 4–2 @ PHI

L 5–1 @ PIT

L 5–3 vs PHI

W 5–2 @ BUF

L 3–2 vs OTT

Detroit has been inconsistent but remains in the playoff hunt, tied with Ottawa and Columbus for the final Eastern Conference spot.

New York — Last 5 Games

L 3–2 vs MTL

W 4–1 vs NJ

W 3–1 vs FLA

W 6–1 vs CHI

L 4–3 @ TOR

The Rangers have won 3 of their last 4, showing improved defensive structure.

Key Player Matchups

Alex DeBrincat (DET) vs. Mika Zibanejad (NYR)

DeBrincat: 39 G, 41 A, 80 PTS (team leader)

Zibanejad: 33 G, 38 A, 71 PTS (Rangers leader)

Both are elite finishers and power‑play threats.

Moritz Seider (DET) vs. Adam Fox (NYR)

Seider: 54 points, +22, 25:42 TOI/G (elite two‑way defenseman)

Fox: 6 assists in last 5 games, Rangers’ top puck‑moving defenseman

John Gibson (DET) vs. Igor Shesterkin (NYR)

A premier goaltending duel:

Gibson: .905 SV%

Shesterkin: .912 SV%

Both are capable of stealing games.

Series History

Rangers host Detroit at MSG; Detroit won the previous meeting streak recently but has been inconsistent.

Detroit is in a must‑win situation due to playoff pressure.

Betting Trends

Detroit Trends

2–3 in last 5

Stronger offensive metrics (2.91 GF/G) than NYR

Power play at 22.5% is a matchup advantage

New York Trends

3–2 in last 5

Better recent defensive form

Shesterkin has a higher save percentage than Gibson

Game Odds

Detroit Red Wings           – 142

New York Rangers           6.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, April 3, 2026