Panthers Aim for Atlantic Lead; Blues Seek Sixth Straight Win

NEW YORK, NY — The NHL is ramping up excitement as the regular season approaches its conclusion. With just 26 days remaining, playoff races tighten, particularly the battle for the Atlantic Division title, where the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs are tied for first place.

Today, March 23, the Panthers (42-25-3) have an opportunity to take sole possession of the top spot when they face the Pittsburgh Penguins (29-32-10) at 6 p.m. ET. Meanwhile, the St. Louis Blues (36-28-7) will be trying to extend their winning streak to six games against the Nashville Predators (26-35-8) at the same time.

For the penalizing Tampa Bay Lightning (40-24-5), there is pressure to keep the race competitive. They will battle the Vegas Golden Knights (41-20-8) at 8 p.m. ET, seeking to close the gap to two points behind the division leaders.

As playoff scenarios unfold, the Winnipeg Jets (48-18-4) have a chance to clinch a playoff berth if they secure at least one point against the Buffalo Sabres (27-35-6) or, alternatively, if the Blues lose to the Predators.

Speaking after a recent game, Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice emphasized the importance of today’s match. “Every point is crucial at this stage in the season,” he said. “We’re excited about the opportunity to take the lead.”

The Penguins, though out of playoff contention, aim to play spoiler. Forward Jake Guentzel remarked, “We want to build some momentum as we head into the offseason.” Pittsburgh remains in a tight competition with the Philadelphia Flyers (28-34-9), currently below the playoff line in the Eastern Conference.

Additional games today include the Philadelphia Flyers visiting the Chicago Blackhawks (3 p.m. ET) and the Jets encountering the Sabres (3 p.m. ET), both crucial for their own playoff implications.

In the Western Conference, the Blues will look to consolidate their playoff position as they sit just four points ahead of the Calgary Flames (32-25-11) in the race for the second wild card slot.

“We’ve fought hard to get here, but we can’t let up,” Blues forward Pavel Buchnevich stated. “This is the time to push harder and finish strong.”

With playoff spots on the line, the intensity of the games is expected to rise, with all teams eyeing a successful end to the regular season leading up to the Stanley Cup postseason.