Pregame Skate: Sabres visit Capitals in East's biggest bubble battle so far

Both teams are tied in the standings for the last playoff spot. Both teams have five games after tonight. None is probably bigger than the Sabres' and Capitals' meeting in D.C. on Tuesday night.

By Brian Stubits

Mar 27, 2012 at 9:47 am ET • 4 min read

Is it safe to say the loser tonight takes the "lead" in most disappointing team race? (Getty Images)

The Pregame Skate is back. Every morning for the rest of the season we're going to take a look at the games that have the greatest significance in the push for the postseason for you to digest while you drink your java. We'll throw in some miscellany for the fun of it.

Tuesday's scoreboard

7 ET, Buffalo at Washington

In the Western Conference this type of game has become almost a nightly occurrence. In the East, not so much. Maybe that's why this one feels a little bigger to me. All I know is that at this point in the season, they don't get any bigger than this one.

Two teams tied in points, each with six games remaining on the schedule. It could play out that these two battle for one playoff spot until the season's end unless the Panthers and/or Senators fall back. But they can't count on that. Winner tonight takes a huge advantage in their playoff push, the loser will have some work to do.

Both sides are well aware what's at stake.

"To say it's a big game is an understatement," Sabres defenseman Robyn Regehr told the Buffalo News. "It's the biggest game that we've faced all year."

"It's the kind of game that everyone wants to coach and play," Capitals coach Dale Hunter said. "We know what's at stake here. It's a huge game and everybody ... is anticipating a great game."

This should be fun.

7:30 ET, Florida at Montreal

Every time you think the Panthers are going to open up their Southeast lead to completely take sweating out of the equation they do something like lose three straight games to the murderer's row of the Hurricanes, Oilers and Islanders (at least two were in shootouts). In the cleanup position tonight is the Canadiens.

Florida does have seven games remaining including tonight in Montreal, but five of those are on the road. So when the contests come against the worst teams in the league (the Wild and Blue Jackets are on this road trip too) they can't let the points slip away. It's possible they could have the division lead cut to one point by the end of the night.

The good news for the Panthers is that they have pretty much owned the Canadiens and Canadian teams in general this season. Florida will try for the season sweep of the Habs and move to a robust 14-3-3 against teams from north of the border.

But beware, the Habs have shown themselves to be a capable spoiler, especially when Erik Cole goes into his beast mode.

8 ET, Nashville at St. Louis

The Blues are still atop the Presidents' Trophy race, but they have a few teams nipping at their heels. Quietly the Canucks are only two points behind them, as are the Rangers. The Penguins are only three back. So you get the point, they still have a lot to play for.

And of course, so do the Predators. They want their own home-ice advantage, in the first round of the playoffs. That's a constantly changing bout with the Red Wings, who take the upper hand on Monday.

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But there's this little matter in play here. This season Nashville has absolutely dominated its division foes, the Blues are no exception. This is their last meeting of the season. The previous five? The Predators have won four of them.

With a point the Predators punch their playoff ticket, the fourth team in the Western Conference to do so.

Others worth watching

7 ET, Islanders at Pittsburgh: The previous four games in this series have all gone to the Penguins. No surprise there. If the cards fall their way tonight, they could be the East. No. 1 seed come Wednesday morning.

8 ET, Rangers at Minnesota: One of those cards for the Penguins is the Rangers losing in Minnesota. The Rangers control their own destiny in that race, so there's that. Just win them all and your worries are gone. Barring that, they at least need to pick up these points.

7 ET, Chicago at New Jersey: I'm going to call this the battle of the lucky losers. They're each the fourth place team in the best division in their conference. Right now they're both in the sixth spot to face the weakest division winner. Neither really wants that to change. I'd expect a three-point game.

Your promised miscellany

Monday's Winners & Losers
Adrian Dater is preparing his obituary for the Avalanche after Monday's 5-1 loss in San Jose. (Denver Post)
Who is the Blues' No. 1 goalie when the playoffs begin? Ken Hitchcock still doesn't know. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
Don't get too excited about the Nordiques coming back yet. Bob McKenzie explains it's not a foregone conclusion at this point. (TSN)
There is no better marketing department than in San Jose for my money. Here's another example why; Joe Thornton , the mail man. (But delivering in the playoffs? I'll let you decide.)