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NHL roundup: Playoff hopes kept alive for some while the door shuts on others

Rangers defenceman Adam Fox looking on during a break mid-game (2025)
Rangers defenceman Adam Fox looking on during a break mid-game (2025) Bruce Bennett/Getty Images/AFP
During the NHL's 11-game slate on Saturday, some kept their playoff hopes alive while, for others, their season all but came to an end.

The Columbus Blue Jackets are one of the few teams keeping their playoff hopes alive after beating the Washington Capitals 7-0. 

Adam Fantilli (27) scored two of the goals while the other five came from five of his teammates.

They now sit six points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the second Wild Card spot with just two games remaining. 

In order for the Blue Jackets to make the playoffs, they'll need to win out and the Canadiens to lose their finals two in regulation.

Playoff hopes are gone

Both New York teams were eliminated from clinching a playoff spot on Saturday as the Islanders lost to the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 after a shootout while the Rangers were eliminated after a 7-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes

This marks the first time the Islanders have failed to make the playoffs since the 2021-2022 season. 

If they lose out, their 34 wins will be the fewest for the team in a full season since the 2013-2014 season in which they also won 34 games.

As for the Rangers, the team will be missing the playoffs for the first time since the 2020-2021 season. 

This Rangers team is just the fourth in NHL history to miss the playoffs following the year in which they won the Presidents Trophy (best record).

The others include the 2014-2015 Boston Bruins, 2006-2007 Buffalo Sabres and...the 1992-93 Rangers.

Jets 5-4 Blackhawks

The Blackhawks came up short yet again in another overtime battle against the Jets this season with 73 shots in total.

Two out of the three matchups this year were taken into at least overtime, both were won by the Jets but this time in a shootout.

Blackhawks young star Connor Bedard scored during both regulation and the shootout while Kyle Connor (41) did the same for the Jets.

With 55 wins, the Jets will go on to win their very first Presidents Trophy.

Maple Leafs 1-0 Canadiens

The Maple Leafs helped out the Blue Jackets (somewhat) by taking down the Canadiens in overtime thanks to Mitch Marner's (26) game-winner.

Toronto finished the season series 3-1, outscoring Montreal 12-5. 

Despite the loss, the game marked Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes' second straight game with more than 34 or more saves.

Around the league

Anton Lundell scored the lone shootout goal to give the Florida Panthers a 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres. 

The Los Angeles Kings win back-to-back while the Colorado Avalanche have now lost back-to-back following their 5-4 defeat. 

After losing the first three matches of the season series, the Utah Hockey Club defeated the Dallas Stars 5-3 in the season series finale. 

*Current ongoing matches include: St. Louis Blues vs. Seattle Kraken, Vancouver Canucks vs. Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights vs. Nashville Predators.