NHL Playoffs Buzz: Flyers, Senators, Red Wings chasing Blue Jackets for East wild card - NHL.com

Welcome to the Stanley Cup Playoffs Buzz, a daily look at the races for the 2026 NHL postseason.

There are 17 days left in the regular season and the races for playoff spots and seeding are heating up. The top three teams in each of the four divisions and the next two highest-place finishers in each conference reach the playoffs.

Here is a look at the NHL standings and everything else that could impact the playoff picture.

There are 10 games on the NHL schedule Tuesday, all with playoff implications:

Dallas Stars at Boston Bruins (7 p.m. ET; FOX4, Victory+, NESN, SN360)

The Bruins (42-24-8) have won three in a row and five of their past six (5-1-0), including a 4-3 shootout win at the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday in which they trailed 3-0 after the second period. They are two points behind the Montreal Canadiens for third in the Atlantic Division, but have played one more game. The Stars (44-18-12), who have lost five of their past six (1-3-2), are eight points behind the Colorado Avalanche for first in the Central Division and six points ahead of the third-place Minnesota Wild.

New York Islanders at Buffalo Sabres (7 p.m. ET; MSGSN2, MSG-B)

The Islanders (42-28-5) try to bounce back after an 8-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday that dropped them into third place in the Metropolitan Division, one point behind Pittsburgh. They are also one point ahead of the Blue Jackets for third place, and just three points ahead of the Ottawa Senators, Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers, who are all below the playoff line, but each have two games in hand. The Sabres (45-21-8) could take over the top spot in the Atlantic and the Eastern Conference. They enter Tuesday tied in points with the Tampa Bay Lightning in the division and the Carolina Hurricanes in the East.

Montreal Canadiens at Tampa Bay Lightning (7 p.m. ET; The Spot, TSN2, RDS)

The Lightning (46-21-6) have an eight-game point streak (6-0-2) and can claim sole possession of first in the Atlantic Division, where they are tied with the Buffalo Sabres but have a game in hand. The Canadiens (42-21-10) have won five in a row and can move within two points of the Lightning and Sabres for first in the division. They also are trying to fend off the Bruins, who are two points behind them in the Atlantic, hold the first wild card in the East and have played one more game.

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Ottawa Senators at Florida Panthers (7 p.m. ET; SCRIPPS, TSN5, RDS2)

It’s a Tkachuk vs. Tkachuk matchup with Brady of the Senators trying to get his team into the playoffs while Matthew and the two-time Stanley Cup champion Panthers try to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. The Senators (38-25-10) are two points behind the Blue Jackets for the second wild card from the East, with a game in hand, and tied in points (86) with the Red Wings and Flyers. The Panthers have lost three games in a row and six of eight (2-6-0) after a 3-1 loss at the New York Rangers on Sunday. The defending two-time Stanley Cup champions will be eliminated from playoff contention if they lose to the Senators in regulation or if they get one point against Ottawa and all of the following occur: The Penguins-Red Wings game results in each team earning a point; the Islanders defeat the Sabres in any fashion; the Blue Jackets get at least one point vs. the Hurricanes; the Flyers get at least one point vs. the Capitals.

They are 15 points behind the Blue Jackets for the second wild card in the East.

New Jersey Devils at New York Rangers (7 p.m. ET; MSGSN, MSG 2)

New Jersey (38-33-2) is coming off a 5-3 win against the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday and is 10 points behind the Blue Jackets for the second wild card from the East. The Rangers (30-35-9) have been eliminated from playoff contention.

Detroit Red Wings at Pittsburgh Penguins (7 p.m. ET; FDSNDET, SN-PIT)