NHL playoff picture: Stars fail to tighten grip; Oilers spoiling others' plans

Cassandra Negley

NHL playoff picture: Stars fail to tighten grip; Oilers spoiling others' plans image

With the NHL playoffs quickly approaching, every day of the regular season has gained increased importance. Here at Sporting News we’ll keep you updated with the latest playoff positioning, the teams in the hunt, the previous day's games and a look forward to tonight’s action.

X-clinched playoff, Y-clinched division, Z-clinched conference

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division

Z- Boston Bruins (113 pts, 4 games remaining)

X-Montreal Canadiens (97 pts, 3 games remaining)

X-Tampa Bay Lightning (93 pts, 4 games remaining)

Metropolitan Division

Y-Pittsburgh Penguins (105 pts, 3 games remaining)

New York Rangers (91 pts, 3 games remaining)

Philadelphia Flyers (89 pts, 4 games remaining)

Wild Card

Detroit Red Wings (88 pts, 4 games remaining, Atlantic division)

Columbus Blue Jackets (87 points, 4 games remaining, Metropolitan)

In the hunt

New Jersey Devils (84 pts, 4 games remaining, Metropolitan), Toronto Maple Leafs (84 pts, 3 games remaining, Atlantic), Washington Capitals (83 pts, 4 games remaining, Metropolitan)

Toast

Ottawa Senators (80 pts, 4 games remaining, Atlantic)

Western Conference

Central Division

X-St. Louis Blues (111 pts, 4 games remaining)

X- Colorado Avalanche (107 pts, 4 games remaining)

X-Chicago Blackhawks (105 pts, 3 games remaining)

Pacific Division

X-Anaheim Ducks (108 pts, 5 games remaining)

X-San Jose Sharks (107 pts, 3 games remaining)

X-Los Angeles Kings (96 pts, 3 games remaining)

Wild Card

Minnesota Wild (92 pts, 4 games remaining, Central division)

Dallas Stars (87 pts, 5 games remaining, Central)

In the hunt

Phoenix Coyotes (86 pts, 4 games remaining, Pacific)

Toast

Nashville Predators (81 pts, 4 games remaining, Central), Vancouver Canucks (81 pts, 4 games remaining, Pacific)

Sunday recap

Blackhawks 4,  Blues 2

Rookie Jeremy Morin scored and set up Patrick Sharp's go-ahead goal in the second period, and injury-depleted Chicago held on to defeat the St. Louis Blues 4-2 on Sunday afternoon for its third straight win.

Penguins 3, Avalanche 2

Their stars were spectators on this night and the Pittsburgh Penguins still managed to cool off the Colorado Avalanche. Jussi Jokinen skated across the front of the crease and roofed a shot over sprawling goalie Semyon Varlamov to give the Penguins a 3-2 win in a shootout on Sunday night.

Panthers 3, Stars 2

The Dallas Stars missed an opportunity to tighten their grip on their first playoff spot in six years. Sean Bergenheim scored with 4:31 left to break a third-period tie, and the Florida Panthers snapped a five-game losing streak in a 3-2 win over the Stars on Sunday.

Blue Jackets 4, Islanders 0

With what lies ahead, it was particularly refreshing for the Columbus Blue Jackets to have a rare game that didn't come down to the final seconds. Boone Jenner and Mark Letestu each had a goal and an assist, and Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 31 shots for his second shutout in 72 hours to lead the Columbus Blue Jackets past the New York Islanders 4-0 on Sunday night.

Flyers 5, Sabres 2

The Philadelphia Flyers picked up their defense and their drive to snap their losing streak. Playing the lowly Buffalo Sabres helped, too. Brayden Schenn scored two goals, and the Flyers broke a four-game skid with a 5-2 win over Buffalo on Sunday night. 

Oilers 4, Ducks 2

All that is left for the Edmonton Oilers to do in the regular season is to spoil the postseason plans of others. Taylor Hall had a goal and two assists, and the Oilers beat the Pacific Division-leading Anaheim Ducks 4-2 on Sunday night. 

Monday preview (All times ET)

Calgary Flames at New Jersey Devils — 7 p.m.

The New Jersey Devils' playoff fate remains outside of their control, but they're certainly doing their part to make it a race to the finish. They're hoping what appears to be a favorable schedule will give them a good chance to keep applying pressure. The Devils begin their final stretch Monday night at home against the Calgary Flames, who have shown an ability to play spoiler in recent weeks.

Minnesota Wild at Winnipeg Jets — 8 p.m.

An impressive win their last time out pushed the Minnesota Wild to the brink of clinching a playoff spot, something they can accomplish with a regulation or overtime win over the Winnipeg Jets on Monday night.

Anaheim Ducks at Vancouver Canucks — 10 p.m.

While they're aiming to finish on top in a tight race for the Pacific Division title, the Anaheim Ducks also want to be playing their best heading into the playoffs. It appears the Ducks still have some work to do after taking a hit in both quests over the weekend. Anaheim hopes to add to its narrow division lead Monday night with its sixth straight victory over the Vancouver Canucks, who look to keep their very slim playoff chances alive.

Cassandra Negley