The NHL playoff race heats up as the last two weeks of the regular season approach, with five teams vying for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Currently, the Montreal Canadiens occupy the second wild-card position with 79 points and will face the Boston Bruins, while the Columbus Blue Jackets, trailing slightly with 77 points, will host the Colorado Avalanche. The New York Rangers sit tied with Montreal on points but have a higher regulation win count, making them a formidable contender.

The Stathletes projection model indicates the Canadiens have a 51.7% chance to secure a playoff spot, followed by the Blue Jackets at 25.5%. The idle Detroit Red Wings and New York Islanders are also in the mix, albeit with lower odds. With the regular season concluding on April 17, every game counts, especially for these playoff hopefuls.

The New York Rangers' season is drawing to a close, and while the team's playoff chances may be slim, fans can look forward to a memorable farewell for legendary announcer Sam Rosen. On April 9, Rosen will team up with longtime friend John Davidson for one last broadcast against the Philadelphia Flyers. This nostalgic moment resonates with many fans who grew up listening to their commentary. While Joe Micheletti has filled in admirably, there's a special magic when Rosen and Davidson are in the booth together.

As the Rangers finish their season, fans are eager for one last iconic call from Rosen, hoping to hear his famous exclamations during the game. In a season that may be disappointing from a performance standpoint, this final game promises to be a heartwarming tribute to a beloved voice of the franchise.

In a thrilling matchup, Kirill Marchenko's hat trick propelled the Columbus Blue Jackets to an impressive 8-4 victory against the Nashville Predators. This win not only showcased Marchenko's scoring prowess, bringing his season total to 31 goals, but also marked the Blue Jackets' resurgence in the playoff race, bolstering their chances of securing a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Blue Jackets scored first, breaking a nine-game streak of conceding the opening goal, and demonstrated their offensive depth, with contributions from Sean Monahan and Adam Fantilli, both of whom notched two goals apiece. The team is now looking to reclaim playoff positioning, currently sitting just outside the wild-card spots, aided by a recent uptick in their performance against weaker opponents.

The NHL's final month has seen Alex Ovechkin inch closer to Wayne Gretzky's historic goal record, now just four goals away after scoring his 891st in Boston. Meanwhile, the Vegas Golden Knights secured their playoff berth following a Calgary loss, marking a successful campaign in which they clinched a spot in seven of their first eight seasons. The St. Louis Blues are riding a 10-game winning streak, taking the first Wild Card spot in the Western Conference, while the Montreal Canadiens and Columbus Blue Jackets are also vying for playoff positions, demonstrating the high stakes of this late-season push.

Rookies Ryan Leonard and Jimmy Snuggerud made their NHL debuts, creating excitement as fans look forward to their contributions. Ovechkin's performance continues to be a focal point, as his scoring prowess and charity contributions gain attention. The playoff race intensifies with teams like the Canadiens, led by Nick Suzuki's overtime winner, and the Blue Jackets, where Kirill Marchenko's hat trick underscores their offensive firepower. Betting enthusiasts should keep an eye on these developments as team rosters solidify and performance metrics come into play.

The Nashville Predators' struggles continued as they suffered a disheartening 8-4 defeat against the Columbus Blue Jackets, marking their worst defensive performance of the season. This loss brings the Predators' record to 27-40-8, firmly cementing their exit from playoff contention. Goaltender Juuse Saros faced a challenging night, allowing eight goals on 26 shots, including several soft ones that could have been saved. The Blue Jackets capitalized on defensive lapses, dominating the game with a high volume of shots and capitalizing on turnovers.

The Predators' defense faltered significantly, leading to multiple high-danger chances for the Blue Jackets. Kirill Marchenko's hat trick and two goals each from Adam Fantili and Sean Monahan highlighted the Blue Jackets' offensive prowess. Even as the Blue Jackets eased off in the third period, the damage was already done, and the Predators' chances for a high draft pick in 2025 became a silver lining amidst a dismal season.