NHL Showdown: Stars, Red Wings, Oilers Fight for Playoff Position

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The NHL schedule features six exciting matchups on March 14, 2025, including teams jockeying for playoff positions and a standout player aiming for a record streak.

The Dallas Stars (42-20-2) will take on the Winnipeg Jets (45-17-4) at 8 p.m. ET, with both teams in contention for the top spot in the Central Division. Dallas comes into this game on the heels of a three-game win streak and is looking to close the gap on Winnipeg after being recently bolstered by a trade acquisition. The Stars’ forward, identified in the reports, is expected to extend his current scoring streak to nine games after his recent impressive performance, which included a goal in their last victory against the Vancouver Canucks.

The Jets, on the other hand, are fresh off a worthy 6-1 victory against the New Jersey Devils, bringing their record to 38-9-3 for the season. Leading the way for Winnipeg is their goalie, boasting a stellar 1.99 goals-against average and a save percentage of .927, positioning him as a strong candidate for the Vezina Trophy as the league’s best goalie.

Meanwhile, the Detroit Red Wings (31-28-6) are set to face the Carolina Hurricanes (39-22-4) at 7 p.m. ET. The Red Wings recently snapped a six-game losing streak with a convincing 7-3 win against the Buffalo Sabres, where forward Kane delivered a remarkable five-point performance. Kane’s explosive play has brought the Red Wings within reach of a wild card slot for the playoffs, aiming to compete for the first time since the 2015-16 season. The Hurricanes are looking to maintain their momentum, with a five-game winning streak and consistent defensive play, allowing only two goals or fewer in each victory.

In another significant matchup, the Edmonton Oilers (37-24-4) will face the New York Islanders (29-28-7) at 7:30 p.m. ET. Forward Draisaitl is on the cusp of extending his career-high point streak to 17 games after scoring in a previous matchup against the New Jersey Devils. Currently, he has accumulated 24 points during his streak, emphasizing his crucial role in the Oilers’ offensive strategy. As Edmonton continues to seek a playoff spot, they will need strong performances following recent struggles that saw them win only three of their last 11 games.

Additionally, the Colorado Avalanche (39-24-3) will take on the Calgary Flames (30-23-11) at 9 p.m. ET. Avalanche’s star MacKinnon leads the NHL scoring race with 102 points, challenging Draisaitl and others for dominance as the season nears playoffs. The Flames also look to solidify their playoff chances with resurgence, though they will be without a suspended forward.

Lastly, the Nashville Predators (25-32-7) and Anaheim Ducks (28-30-7) will meet at 10 p.m. ET, each aiming to gather points in their quest for postseason status. The Kraken from Utah also play against the Seattle Kraken, bringing additional excitement to the night with playoff implications in the air.