NHL playoff watch: Latest on the Eastern wild-card chaos
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ESPN staffMar 28, 2025, 07:00 AM ETHeading into Friday's slate of six games, there are four teams within two points battling for the second Eastern Conference wild-card spot.Three of those teams are in action Friday:The Montreal Canadiens, who hold the playoff spot at the moment, visit the Carolina Hurricanes (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+)Simultaneously, the Columbus Blue Jackets will host the Vancouver Canucks (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+) In the evening's nightcap, the New York Rangers will head to Orange County to take on the Anaheim Ducks (10 p.m. ET, ESPN+)The New York Islanders are idle, with their next game on Saturday against the Tampa Bay LightningObviously, every point matters when it comes to these teams. But two specific games down the stretch will have an outsized impact: Islanders-Rangers on April 10, and Islanders-Blue Jackets on April 17 (the final day of the regular season).Stathletes gives the Canadiens an edge right now (43.7% chance to make the playoffs), followed by the Blue Jackets (18....