Hockey·Preview

NHL: 4 things to know for Saturday night

Vancouver could spoil Winnipeg's chances, Calgary is still fighting for their spot as they meet Edmonton, Ottawa is barely hanging on and Toronto will impact the playoff picture this weekend.

Canucks look to sweep Jets out of the playoffs

The Winnipeg Jets face the Vancouver Canucks with their playoff hopes on the line. (Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press)

Vancouver could spoil Winnipeg's chances, Calgary is still fighting for their spot as they meet Edmonton, Ottawa is barely hanging on and Toronto will impact the playoff picture this weekend. 

Here are four things to know for Saturday: 

Canucks could deal blow to Jets

Sitting with a four-point advantage for the second spot in the Pacific division, the Vancouver Canucks could hurt the Winnipeg Jets' playoff chances with a season series sweep on Saturday.

Winnipeg is currently tied with the Los Angeles Kings for the final wild card position in the West, but the Kings have four more regulation/overtime wins for the tiebreaker. 

They will also be without the help of Dustin Byfuglien, who begins his four-game suspension for a cross-check to New York Rangers' J.T. Miller. 

Vancouver will have forward Sven Baertschi in the lineup for his first with the Canucks. He was acquired from Calgary at the deadline and has seven goals and six assists in 12 games with Vancouver's AHL affiliate in Utica. 

Flames look for season dominance over Oilers

The Calgary Flames hold a single point over the the Kings for third place in the Pacific division ahead of the season's final round in the "Battle of Alberta."

The Edmonton Oilers look to avoid a five-game series sweep after a demoralizing 8-2 loss to Los Angeles on Thursday. 

Calgary has outscored Edmonton 17-8 over four games. Forward Joe Colborne has led the charge with three goals and three assists, including a two-goal game in a 4-3 overtime victory on Dec. 31. 

Senators in precarious position 

The Ottawa Senators playoff hopes are hanging by a thread heading into their final meeting with the Washington Capitals. 

Ottawa is three points behind the Boston Bruins for the final wild card spot in the East, while Washington could clinch a playoff berth with a regulation win. 

The two games this season went to the Capitals in 2-1 victories, with captain Alex Ovechkin scoring the game-winner on Feb. 5. The 29-year-old is the league's leading goal-scorer with 52 and has five goals in three games. 

Leafs could spoil 2 teams chances

The Toronto Maple Leafs could play spoiler in the playoff pursuit for both Ottawa and Boston as they face the Bruins Saturday and the Senators on Sunday. 

Toronto has a 4-1-0 record in their past five against Boston, including two of three this season. Goalie James Reimer is expected to get the nod after claiming victory in his past two starts.

Boston is enjoying a four-game winning streak and will ride goalie Tuuka Rask for the duration of their playoff push.