Senators Are In, Capitals and Kings Can Step Closer

Even with Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson in the press box, being preserved for a playoff run, the Ottawa Senators were able to slide past the Islanders on Sunday, clinching their playoff spot with a 5-1 win.  The Senators have an outside chance at climbing into the six spot in the East, if they were able to sweep the remainder of their games and the Devils lose all of theirs, including a head-to-head meeting on Saturday afternoon.  As of right now, the Senators are projected to play the Boston Bruins in the opening round, which would be a tough match-up, but they have a team that could surprise.  You may want to give Milan Michalek, Erik Karlsson and Craig Anderson some real thought when filling out the playoff pool sheet.

Two games in the NHL tonight, as the Washington Capitals travel to Tampa Bay to take on the Lightning and the Los Angeles Kings play host to the Edmonton Oilers in the late game.  Both the Capitals and Kings cannot clinch tonight, but they can move a step closer with 2 points.  Both teams are facing competition that are out of the playoffs, which should suggest that these points are theirs to lose.  Of course, that's why we play the game and both the Lightning and Oilers could play spoiler.

With regulation wins, both the Capitals and Kings should be one game away from clinching their spots in the playoffs.  It's a fun time in the NHL, isn't it?