The Senators secured their third consecutive victory, limiting the Rangers to a mere nine shots, and are now just two points shy of a playoff berth—a position they haven’t held since January 3rd. 
Tuesday’s ESPN doubleheader features a Metropolitan Division showdown between the Blue Jackets and Flyers, followed by Connor McDavid and the Oilers challenging the Mammoth. McDavid, Edmonton’s captain, is on the verge of becoming the NHL’s third-quickest player to reach 1,200 career points.
On NHL on TNT, Nikita Kucherov, leading the Art Ross Trophy contention, will guide the Lightning against Norris Trophy candidate Quinn Hughes and the Wild. 
Senators Secure Third Consecutive Victory, Edge Closer to Wild Card Spot
The Senators (37-24-9, 83 points) defeated the Rangers, putting them just two points behind the inactive Islanders (40-26-5, 85 points) for the Eastern Conference’s second Wild Card position. This tight playoff battle sees four teams (Detroit, Ottawa, Philadelphia, and Washington) within six points of the final postseason berth.
This marks the first time since January 3rd that Ottawa has been within two points of a playoff spot, a remarkable turnaround from being 10 points out on January 30th. Should they qualify, the Senators would be the only team to overcome a 10-point deficit and make the playoffs multiple times under the current format, established in 2013-14 (they also overcame 14 points in 2014-15).
Historically, the Senators’ defense was exceptional, limiting the Rangers to a franchise-low nine shots on goal. The last NHL team to achieve such a defensive feat was New Jersey, who held Washington to nine shots on December 4, 2003. 
Quick Highlights
- Playoff races are intensifying as the season nears its conclusion.
- Nikita Kucherov, Filip Forsberg, and Cole Caufield were recognized as the NHL’s ‘Three Stars’ of the Week.
- NHL EDGE statistics highlight Steven Stamkos’ recent goal-scoring surge for the Predators.
- The Rangers celebrated Mika Zibanejad’s upcoming 1,000th NHL game by wearing long wigs.
- The Hurricanes and Kraken are scheduled to compete in the 2026 Global Series Finland.
Playoff Intensities, Star Players, and More Across a 15-Game Schedule
A packed 15-game schedule includes an ESPN+ and Hulu doubleheader, showcasing intraconference rivalries. The Blue Jackets will visit the Flyers, followed by the Mammoth hosting the Oilers. NHL on TNT will broadcast a high-profile matchup between the league’s top scorer, Nikita Kucherov, and the Lightning, facing Quinn Hughes and the Wild. Additionally, Sportsnet will feature a battle between Cole Harbour, N.S., natives Nathan MacKinnon and Sidney Crosby. 
Columbus (37-22-11, 85 points) currently holds third place in the Metropolitan Division, just a single point behind Pittsburgh (35-19-16, 86 points) for second. The Blue Jackets are striving to clinch a postseason spot for the first time since the 2019-20 season. Key to their push is Charlie Coyle, who ranks third in points for the team in his inaugural season there. Coyle boasts an impressive record of appearing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in each of his first 13 seasons – the longest active streak in the NHL. He could become only the 21st player in league history to make it to the playoffs in each of his first 14 campaigns, a feat last achieved by Paul Martin (2003-04 to 2017-18).
Boone Jenner, the Blue Jackets captain, is another crucial figure in their quest for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. His deep commitment to the franchise resonates throughout Columbus. As a Hockey Fights Cancer Champion, Jenner dedicates time to families and children affected by cancer, finding both inspiration and perspective in these meaningful interactions.
ESPN’s doubleheader concludes with Connor McDavid and the Oilers (34-28-9, 77 points) aiming to advance in the Pacific Division standings as they take on the Mammoth (37-28-6, 80 points). The Mammoth have consistently held the first Wild Card spot since February 2nd. McDavid (399 goals, 799 assists, 1,198 points in 783 GP) is on the verge of multiple career milestones in goals, assists, and total points. If he records two more points tonight, he would become the third-fastest player in NHL history to reach 1,200 points, trailing only legends Wayne Gretzky (504 GP) and Mario Lemieux (593 GP). 
TNT’s national broadcast features an anticipated showdown between the Art Ross Trophy frontrunner, Kucherov, and Norris Trophy contender, Hughes. Kucherov (40 goals, 79 assists, 119 points) has recently escalated his performance, establishing a three-point lead over McDavid (38 goals, 78 assists, 116 points) after being eight points behind just eight days prior. Kucherov is now one assist away from his fifth career 80-assist season, which would tie him with Bobby Orr for the third-highest number of such campaigns in NHL history, behind only Wayne Gretzky (14) and Mario Lemieux (6). Hughes (6 goals, 63 assists, 69 points) is also close to matching Orr’s record with his fourth consecutive 70-point season, an accomplishment achieved by only seven defensemen in NHL history. 
Nathan MacKinnon (8 goals, 17 assists, 25 points in 19 GP) and Sidney Crosby (9 goals, 7 assists, 16 points in 19 GP) are set to meet for the 20th time in their careers. Colorado holds a slight advantage in their previous matchups (10-6-3 vs. Pittsburgh’s 9-9-1). The Penguins are looking to emulate the Avalanche, one of two teams already securing a berth in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, by clinching their first postseason spot since 2021-22. Crosby, alongside his longtime teammate Evgeni Malkin, could join Corey Perry (17) and Alex Ovechkin (16) as the only active players to participate in 16 different postseasons.
More Must-See Moments with 30 Teams in Action
With 30 NHL teams competing on Tuesday, numerous compelling narratives are unfolding as playoff races intensify and emerging stars continue to make significant impacts for their clubs.
Matthew Schaefer (22 goals, 29 assists, 51 points in 71 GP) and the Islanders (40-26-5, 85 points) hold a precarious one-point lead for the Eastern Conference’s second Wild Card position. They are also just two points shy of overtaking the Penguins (35-19-16, 86 points) for second place in the Metropolitan Division, which would grant them home-ice advantage in the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Schaefer, with two goals in his last three games and a team-leading (tied) 10 points this month (4 goals, 6 assists, 10 points), is one goal away from matching Brian Leetch’s record (23 goals in 1988-89) for the most goals by a rookie defenseman in a single NHL season.
A crucial Eastern Conference Wild Card battle unfolds at Little Caesars Arena as the Red Wings (38-24-8, 84 points) host the Senators (37-24-9, 83 points). Detroit, currently the first team outside the playoff picture, trails the New York Islanders (40-26-5, 85 points) for Wild Card 2 by just one point, with a game in hand. The Red Wings are aiming for their first playoff appearance since 2015-16, led by Alex DeBrincat (35 goals, 38 assists, 73 points in 70 GP) and Lucas Raymond (22 goals, 46 assists, 68 points in 68 GP). If they maintain their scoring pace, they would be the first pair of Detroit teammates to average at least a point per game in the same season (minimum 30 games played) since Pavel Datsyuk (1.04 PPG) and Henrik Zetterberg (1.04 PPG) in 2012-13.
The Pacific Division-leading Ducks (39-27-4, 82 points) are on the cusp of achieving their first 40-win season since 2017-18, which also marked their last postseason appearance. Anaheim’s path to 40 wins has been significantly bolstered by a league-leading 10 third-period comeback victories (tied with Vegas). Additionally, Jackson LaCombe (9 goals, 40 assists, 49 points in 70 GP) is close to becoming the franchise’s fifth 50-point scorer this season and the first defenseman to do so since Lubomir Visnovsky (18 goals, 50 assists, 68 points in 2010-11). The Ducks have had five or more 50-point players in a single season four times in their history: 2006-07 (6), 2010-11 (5), 2008-09 (5), and 1998-99 (5).
The NHL’s longest active winning streak (4 games) has propelled the Predators (33-28-9, 75 points) from four points out of the playoff picture into the Western Conference’s second Wild Card spot. They now face the challenge of fending off Macklin Celebrini (35 goals, 61 assists, 96 points in 68 GP) and the Sharks (32-20-6, 70 points). Celebrini, currently fifth in overall scoring this season, is within striking distance of both 100 points in 2025-26 and 100 career assists (99 in 138 GP). The talented Sharks forward could become only the fifth teenager in NHL history to record 100 or more career assists, joining an elite group that includes Sidney Crosby (147), Wayne Gretzky (144), Dale Hawerchuk (109), and Steve Yzerman (107). 
