Getting there
The Philadelphia Flyers have won four of their past five and look to move closer to a playoff spot when they host the New York Rangers (7 p.m. ET, MSGSN, NBCSP+, TVAS). Philadelphia (29-22-11), which hasn’t qualified for the postseason since 2019-20, is seven points behind Boston for the second wild card in the East. It’s the opener of a back-to-back for the Rangers (24-30-8), who are 3-5-2 in their past 10 games.
Moving on
The Washington Capitals were shaken when defenseman John Carlson was traded to the Anaheim Ducks after 17 seasons. But life and the NHL schedule move on for the Capitals (31-26-7), who also trail the Bruins by seven points in the East entering their game against the Calgary Flames in Washington (7 p.m. ET; MNMT, SNW). Alex Ovechkin has just two goals in his past 10 games, each coming against the Montreal Canadiens on Feb. 28. It’s the opener of a five-game road trip for the Flames (25-30-7), who ended a four-game skid (0-3-1) with a 5-4 win against the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday.
Still climbing
The Blue Jackets aren’t in playoff position yet, but they’re doing their part to stay in the race. Entering its game against the Los Angeles Kings on Monday (4 p.m. ET; FDSNOH, FDSNW), Columbus (32-21-9), which is 13-2-2 since Rick Bowness replaced Dean Evason as coach on Jan. 13, trails Boston by three points for the second wild card in the East. Anze Kopitar (1,304) is four points from passing Marcel Dionne as the all-time leading scorer for the Kings (25-23-14), who trail the Kraken by three points for the second wild card in the West. Los Angeles has lost seven of its past nine games (2-6-1).
The schedule
Los Angeles Kings at Columbus Blue Jackets (4 p.m. ET; FDSNOH, FDSNW)
New York Rangers at Philadelphia Flyers (7 p.m. ET, MSGSN, NBCSP+, TVAS)
Calgary Flames at Washington Capitals (7 p.m. ET; MNMT, SNW)
Utah Mammoth at Chicago Blackhawks (8:30 p.m. ET; Utah16, CHSN)
Ottawa Senators at Vancouver Canucks (9 p.m. ET; RDS, Prime)
