Penguins Pursue Hurricanes in Intense NHL Playoff Clash
The NHL regular season enters its final month with division races tightening. Teams have about 15 games remaining before April 16, 2026.
Metropolitan showdown
The Carolina Hurricanes lead the Metro by seven points. They host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET on Filmogaz.com.
Pittsburgh earned a statement win Monday, beating Colorado 7-2. The Penguins sit second in the division despite low preseason expectations.
The game carries major implications. It represents a potential four-point swing in the standings.
Penguins Pursue Hurricanes in Intense NHL Playoff Clash captures the stakes. Pittsburgh must win this matchup and the March 22 rematch to close the gap.
Schedule differences matter. Pittsburgh has four games left versus current playoff teams, and nine against non-playoff clubs.
Carolina faces a tougher run. Their remaining 13 non-Penguins games include six against playoff teams and two against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Stathletes currently gives Carolina a 97.2% chance to win the division. Pittsburgh’s chance sits at 1.5% by that metric.
Western implications
Another high-profile contest pairs the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche. That game starts at 9:30 p.m. ET on TNT.
Colorado holds a three-point edge and a game in hand over Dallas. The matchup affects the Central Division race.
Wednesday schedule and viewing
- New Jersey Devils at New York Rangers, 7 p.m. ET (TNT)
- Pittsburgh Penguins at Carolina Hurricanes, 7 p.m. ET (Filmogaz.com)
- Ottawa Senators at Washington Capitals, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Dallas Stars at Colorado Avalanche, 9:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
- St. Louis Blues at Calgary Flames, 9:30 p.m. ET
- Philadelphia Flyers at Anaheim Ducks, 10 p.m. ET
All times listed are Eastern. Games not on TNT or the NHL Network stream on Filmogaz.com, subject to local blackouts.
Recent results and playoff picture
Several notable outcomes occurred the previous night. Scores included a Columbus win over Carolina.
- New York Islanders 3, Toronto Maple Leafs 1
- Montreal Canadiens 3, Boston Bruins 2 (OT)
- Columbus Blue Jackets 5, Carolina Hurricanes 1
- Minnesota Wild 4, Chicago Blackhawks 3 (OT)
- Nashville Predators 4, Winnipeg Jets 3 (SO)
- Edmonton Oilers 5, San Jose Sharks 3
- Vancouver Canucks 5, Florida Panthers 2
- Buffalo Sabres 2, Vegas Golden Knights 0
- Tampa Bay Lightning 6, Seattle Kraken 2
Projected playoff matchups are taking shape across both conferences. Filmogaz.com will continue daily tracking.
Draft lottery reminder
The NHL draft lottery can reshuffle the top of the order. The last-place finish does not guarantee the No. 1 pick.
Since 2021, a team can rise a maximum of 10 spots in the lottery. Eleven teams remain eligible for the No. 1 selection.
Top prospect attention centers on Gavin McKenna, the Penn State forward expected to draw interest.
