Blues Chase 12th Straight Win; Jets Eye Presidents’ Trophy Lead

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — The St. Louis Blues are poised for their 12th consecutive victory as they host the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday night, while the Winnipeg Jets aim to solidify their lead in the Presidents' Trophy race in April 2025 NHL playoffs.

With only 13 days remaining in the regular season, playoff positions are tightening across the league. The top three teams in each division, along with the next two highest-placed finishers in each conference, will secure playoff berths. As teams jockey for position, the stakes are high in today’s matchups.

The Blues (42-28-7), currently holding the first wild card spot in the Western Conference, will face a tough challenge against the already clinched Colorado Avalanche (47-26-4). “We’ve worked hard to put ourselves in this position. A win today would help us solidify our playoff chances,” said Blues captain Ryan O’Reilly.

At the same time, the Jets (52-20-4) are battling to maintain their one-point lead over the Washington Capitals in the Presidents’ Trophy race. Winnipeg heads into their matchup against the Utah Hockey Club eager to extend their lead at the top of the league. “Every game counts now. We want to finish strong and take that momentum into the playoffs,” stated Jets forward Kyle Connor.

In notable playoff clinching scenarios for April 5, the Tampa Bay Lightning can secure their playoff berth if they earn at least one point against the Buffalo Sabres. Similarly, the Florida Panthers can also clinch a spot by defeating the Ottawa Senators.

In other key matchups: the Pittsburgh Penguins travel to Dallas to face the Stars, while the New York Rangers will battle the New Jersey Devils in a crucial East Division clash.

The Rangers (36-32-7) are vying for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. A win against the Devils (40-29-7) would help solidify their chances, as they trail the Canadiens for the second wild card spot.

The Panthers, who are 44-27-4 and looking to bounce back after a three-game skid, face the Senators (40-29-6) to secure their playoff entry. “We need to get our rhythm back. Today is a must-win,” noted Panthers forward Jonathan Huberdeau.

Other notable games today include the Calgary Flames against the Vegas Golden Knights and the Carolina Hurricanes traveling to face the Boston Bruins, who are desperate to end a ten-game losing streak.

Each of these matchups carries implications as teams push for playoff positions. With the intensity of playoff races heating up, fans can expect thrilling action across the NHL this Saturday.