On March 23, 2026, the Ottawa Senators secured their third consecutive victory by limiting the Rangers to a mere nine shots, bringing them within two points of a playoff berth—a position they haven’t held since January 3rd.
Tuesday’s NHL schedule is packed with significant matchups. An ESPN doubleheader kicks off with a Metropolitan Division clash between the Blue Jackets and Flyers. The evening concludes with Connor McDavid and the Oilers taking on the Mammoth. McDavid is on the verge of becoming the third-fastest player in NHL history to reach 1,200 career points.
Another highlight features the league’s top scorer, Nikita Kucherov of the Lightning, facing off against Norris Trophy contender Quinn Hughes and the Wild in an NHL on TNT broadcast.
Senators Extend Winning Streak, Eye Wild Card Spot
The Ottawa Senators (37-24-9, 83 points) triumphed over the Rangers, narrowing the gap to two points behind the idle Islanders (40-26-5, 85 points) for the second Wild Card position in the Eastern Conference. This tight race sees four teams (Detroit, Ottawa, Philadelphia, and Washington) within six points of the final playoff spot.
Ottawa’s current surge marks their closest proximity to a playoff spot since early January, overcoming a 10-point deficit they faced on January 30th. The Senators could become the only team to recover from such a significant deficit multiple times to make the postseason since the 2013-14 format change (previously doing so in 2014-15 after a 14-point gap).
The Senators’ defensive performance against the Rangers, allowing only nine shots on goal, set a new franchise record for fewest shots surrendered in a single game. This feat hasn’t been achieved in the NHL since December 4, 2003, when New Jersey held Washington to nine shots.
Key Headlines and Upcoming Games
Here’s a quick look at other notable happenings and upcoming events around the league:
- Playoff races are intensifying as the regular season enters its final stages.
- Nikita Kucherov, Filip Forsberg, and Cole Caufield were recognized as the NHL’s ‘Three Stars’ of the Week.
- NHL EDGE stats highlight Steven Stamkos’ goal-scoring resurgence for the Predators.
- The Rangers honored Mika Zibanejad’s 1,000th NHL game with a unique wig tribute.
- The Hurricanes and Kraken are scheduled to participate in the 2026 Global Series in Finland.
A Packed 15-Game Schedule Features Major Matchups
A full 15-game slate promises thrilling action, including a doubleheader on ESPN+ and Hulu. Intraconserence rivals, the Blue Jackets and Flyers, will battle before the Mammoth host the Oilers. NHL on TNT will broadcast the game between Art Ross Trophy leader Nikita Kucherov’s Lightning and Norris Trophy contender Quinn Hughes’ Wild. Additionally, Nova Scotia natives Nathan MacKinnon and Sidney Crosby will face off on Sportsnet.
Columbus (37-22-11, 85 points) holds third place in the Metropolitan Division, just one point behind Pittsburgh (35-19-16, 86 points). The Blue Jackets aim to secure their first postseason berth since 2019-20. Charlie Coyle, third in points for Columbus in his inaugural season with the team, seeks to continue his impressive streak of Stanley Cup Playoff appearances, having made it in each of his first 13 seasons. He could become only the 21st player in league history, and the first since Paul Martin, to appear in the playoffs in his first 14 campaigns.
Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner is also crucial to the team’s playoff aspirations. A ‘Hockey Fights Cancer Champion,’ Jenner dedicates time to families and children battling cancer, finding inspiration and perspective in those interactions.
ESPN’s doubleheader concludes with Connor McDavid and the Oilers (34-28-9, 77 points) striving to gain ground in the Pacific Division against the Mammoth (37-28-6, 80 points), who have held the first Wild Card spot consistently since February 2nd. McDavid (399-799—1,198 in 783 GP) is on the cusp of hitting multiple career milestones in goals, assists, and points. With two more points tonight, he would join Wayne Gretzky (504 GP) and Mario Lemieux (593 GP) as the only players to reach 1,200 points in fewer than 600 games.
TNT’s national broadcast presents a showdown between Art Ross Trophy frontrunner Kucherov and Norris Trophy hopeful Hughes. Kucherov (40-79—119) has recently surged, establishing a three-point lead over McDavid (38-78—116) after trailing by as many as eight points just eight days prior. He is one assist away from his fifth career 80-assist season, which would tie him with Bobby Orr for third all-time, behind only Wayne Gretzky (14) and Mario Lemieux (6). Hughes (6-63—69) is also close to a significant achievement, needing one more point for his fourth consecutive 70-point season, a feat accomplished by only seven defensemen in NHL history.
Nathan MacKinnon (8-17—25 in 19 GP) and Sidney Crosby (9-7—16 in 19 GP) will meet for the 20th time in their careers, with Colorado (10-6-3) holding the historical edge over Pittsburgh (9-9-1). The Penguins, seeking their first postseason berth since 2021-22, hope to emulate the Avalanche, one of two teams already confirmed for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Crosby and long-time teammate Evgeni Malkin could join an elite group of active players, including Corey Perry (17) and Alex Ovechkin (16), to appear in 16 different postseasons.
More Intense Matchups and Rising Stars Across the League
With 30 teams on the ice, numerous captivating storylines are unfolding as playoff races intensify and young talents continue to leave their mark.
Matthew Schaefer (22-29—51 in 71 GP) and the Islanders (40-26-5, 85 points) currently hold a one-point lead for the Eastern Conference’s Wild Card 2 spot. They are also just two points shy of overtaking the Penguins (35-19-16, 86 points) for second in the Metropolitan Division, which would grant 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 10 points this month (4-6—10), is one goal away from tying Brian Leetch’s record (23 in 1988-89) for most goals by a rookie defenseman in a single NHL season.
A crucial Eastern Conference Wild Card battle sees the Red Wings (38-24-8, 84 points) host the Senators (37-24-9, 83 points) at Little Caesars Arena. Detroit, currently just outside the playoff picture, is one point behind the NY Islanders for Wild Card 2 with a game in hand. The Red Wings are pushing for their first playoff appearance since 2015-16, driven by Alex DeBrincat (35-38—73 in 70 GP) and Lucas Raymond (22-46—68 in 68 GP). If both average at least a point per game (min. 30 GP), they would be the first Detroit teammates to do so in the same season since Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg in 2012-13.
The Pacific Division-leading Ducks (39-27-4, 82 points) are one win away from their first 40-win season since 2017-18, which also marked their last playoff appearance. Anaheim’s successful season has been bolstered by a league-leading 10 third-period comeback wins (tied with Vegas). Jackson LaCombe (9-40—49 in 70 GP) is close to becoming the franchise’s fifth 50-point scorer this season and the first defenseman since Lubomir Visnovsky in 2010-11. The Ducks have featured five or more 50-point players in a season four times historically: 2006-07 (6), 2010-11 (5), 2008-09 (5), and 1998-99 (5).
The Predators (33-28-9, 75 points) have ridden the NHL’s longest active win streak (4 GP) to move from four points out of the playoff picture into the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. They face competition from Macklin Celebrini (35-61—96 in 68 GP) and the Sharks (32-20-6, 70 points). Celebrini, fifth in overall scoring, is nearing 100 points in the 2025-26 season and 100 career assists (99 in 138 GP). The Sharks forward could become only the fifth teenager in NHL history to record 100 or more career assists, joining Sidney Crosby (147), Wayne Gretzky (144), Dale Hawerchuk (109), and Steve Yzerman (107).
