NHL Playoff Races Heat Up: Key Games, Standings

0:00It's March 27. This is NHL News to Day Team News powered by AI. With just 21 days left in the NHL regular season, the playoff races are tighter than ever. The top three teams in each of the four divisions snag spots, along with the two best wild card finishers per conference. Tonight features two big ones at 7pm. Eastern, the Detroit Red Wings visit the Buffalo Sabers in a potential first round preview, and the Chicago Black Hogs head to the New York Rangers to chase their slim, western wild card hopes. Last night brought 13 thrillers, shaking up the east. The Montreal-Canadian's Edge Columbus 2-1 for their third straight win, pulling two points ahead of Boston in the Atlantic. Pittsburgh beat Ottawa 4-3 in a shootout to grab second in the metropolitan, though Sydney Crosby left with a lower body injury. The New York Islanders top Dallas 2-1, snatching the east's second wild card by a point over Ottawa, out west, overtime drama ruled, Edmonton slip pass Vegas 4-3, jumping two points

1:03ahead for second in the Pacific, Anaheim's Mikel Grandlin, Captain Hattrick with one second left to beat Calgary, holding a five point Pacific lead, Colorado Crush Winnipeg 3-2, extending their central division edge to nine points, while Alito Vechkin set a new record with a Hattrick. Next is his 21st different franchise. Standout plays kept fans buzzing, like Conor Bredard's 30th goal for Chicago and Joel Erickson X Game winner with five seconds left for. Minnesota, closing to three points of Dallas, injuries loomed large, though, with the Troyts Camtaba day-to-day and others nursing knocks amid the sprint. If playoffs started today, Buffalo would face Boston, Tampa Bay versus Montreal, and out west, Anaheim against Utah, Edmonton taking Vegas. These races promise more chaos right down to the final buzzer.