NHL Sunday: Avalanche vs. Capitals Headline a Packed Schedule
Sunday’s NHL schedule boasts nine exciting games, including two nationally televised matchups in the United States and three in Canada. As the regular season winds down, the playoff picture is becoming clearer, but several key divisional battles remain. Here’s a breakdown of what to watch, along with the complete game schedule.
Avalanche and Capitals Clash in Crucial Matchup
The spotlight shines on the Colorado Avalanche (45-13-10) as they visit the Washington Capitals (12:30 p.m. ET; MNMT, NHLN, ALT, SN1, TVAS). Colorado currently holds a three-point lead in the Central Division and is also in contention for the Presidents’ Trophy. The Capitals will be looking to close the gap and solidify their playoff position. Adding to the intrigue, Gabriel Landeskog is set to return from a lower-body injury, bolstering the Avalanche’s already potent offense.
Meanwhile, Alex Ovechkin is on the cusp of history, needing just one goal to join Wayne Gretzky as the only players in NHL history with 1,000 combined regular season and Stanley Cup Playoffs goals. This game is a must-watch for hockey fans!
Sabres and Ducks Battle for Division Lead
In a surprising turn of events, both the Buffalo Sabres (44-20-6) and the Anaheim Ducks (38-27-4) find themselves in first place in their respective divisions. They’ll go head-to-head in Anaheim (8 p.m. ET; KTTV, Victory+, MSG-B) in a game that could have significant implications for playoff seeding. The Sabres, riding a four-game winning streak, lead the Atlantic Division by four points, while the Ducks hold a three-point advantage in the Pacific.
Predators Surge into Playoff Contention
The Nashville Predators (32-28-9) have clawed their way back into playoff contention, currently holding the second wild card spot in the Western Conference. A 4-1 win against the Golden Knights, combined with losses from the Los Angeles Kings and Seattle Kraken, propelled them into a playoff position for the first time since October 25th. They’ll look to extend their momentum against the Chicago Blackhawks (3 p.m. ET; FDSNSO, CHSN).
Blue Jackets’ Point Streak Continues
The Columbus Blue Jackets (37-21-11) are on a remarkable run, earning points in 12 consecutive games (8-0-4). They’ll face a tough test against the New York Islanders (7 p.m. ET; FDSNOH, MSGSN, TVAS), who are just two points behind in the Metropolitan Division. Rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer is one goal away from tying Brian Leetch’s record for most goals by a rookie defenseman in NHL history.
Other Key Games to Watch
- Dallas Stars vs. Vegas Golden Knights (7 p.m. ET; Victory+, SCRIPPS, NHLN, SN): The Stars look to close the gap on the Avalanche in the Central Division.
- Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Carolina Hurricanes (3 p.m. ET; FDSNSO, SN-PIT, SN1, TVAS): The Penguins aim to reduce the Hurricanes’ lead in the Metropolitan Division.
Full NHL Schedule – Sunday, March 17th
- Winnipeg Jets at New York Rangers (12 p.m. ET; MSG, TSN3)
- Colorado Avalanche at Washington Capitals (12:30 p.m. ET; MNMT, NHLN, ALT, SN1, TVAS)
- Carolina Hurricanes at Pittsburgh Penguins (3 p.m. ET; FDSNSO, SN-PIT, SN1, TVAS)
- Nashville Predators at Chicago Blackhawks (3 p.m. ET; FDSNSO, CHSN)
- Columbus Blue Jackets at New York Islanders (7 p.m. ET; FDSNOH, MSGSN, TVAS)
- Vegas Golden Knights at Dallas Stars (7 p.m. ET; Victory+, SCRIPPS, NHLN, SN)
- Tampa Bay Lightning at Calgary Flames (8 p.m. ET; SNW, The Spot)
- Buffalo Sabres at Anaheim Ducks (8 p.m. ET; KTTV, Victory+, MSG-B)
- Los Angeles Kings at Utah Mammoth (9 p.m. ET; FDSNSC, Utah16, SN360)
With so much on the line, Sunday promises to be a thrilling day of NHL action. Stay tuned for updates and analysis as the playoff race intensifies!
