Here are three takeaways: Defeating Ottawa pulled the Blue Jackets even with the New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings at 79 points each. All three have five games left and now they’re chasing just one final playoff spot controlled by the Montreal Canadiens — who are close to clinching the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

The odds might be long for Columbus to make the postseason, but the Blue Jackets are determined to keep pushing.

Mathieu Olivier and Justin Danforth each recorded a goal and an assist while Elvis Merzlikins made 33 saves to lift the Blue Jackets to a 5-2 win over the Senators. While the Blue Jackets kept their very slim playoff hopes alive, the Senators punched their ticket to the NHL Playoffs when the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Detroit Red Wings 4-1.

With the regular season ending April 17, we'll help you track it all with the NHL playoff watch. As we traverse the final stretch, we'll provide details on all the playoff races, along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2025 NHL draft lottery. Note: Playoff chances are via Stathletes.

With nothing left to lose but their 1% playoff chances, the Detroit Red Wings once again will look to Cam Talbot. The 37-year-old netminder will be making his sixth straight start Thursday when the Wings take on the Florida Panthers.

With the playoffs on the horizon later this month, the Florida Panthers appear to finally be back on track. Florida (45-29-4, 94 points) will host the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night in Sunrise. The Panthers,