The Buffalo Sabres have gone quite a while without a playoff appearance, while qualifying for the postseason has been a rarity for the Florida Panthers since their inception. A spot in this season's tournament does not appear to be in the cards for either of the Atlantic Division clubs, who face off Monday in Buffalo.

The Nashville Predators are beginning to find their stride in the Western Conference as the playoffs approach and will make an impact on the East over the next three games, starting with a road contest against the New York Islanders on Monday. The Predators are 6-1-2 in their last nine games to all but clinch a postseason spot and face Boston and Toronto - two teams the Islanders are battling - later in the week.

The Carolina Hurricanes have put the pedal to the metal in their quest for their first postseason berth in eight seasons. Carolina carries a 10-game point streak (7-0-3) and hope for the playoffs into the opener of back-to-back home games against the Detroit Red Wings on Monday.

The Chicago Blackhawks look to put an end to a string of unsatisfying performances when they visit the desperate Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday. The Blackhawks are in control of the Central Division - and the Western Conference - as they lead Minnesota by seven points with seven games to go but have allowed 17 goals in their last four games, including Friday's 7-0 loss at Florida.

The St. Louis Blues have all but sealed a playoff spot with a strong month and their quest to avoid fourth place in the Central Division is on as they host the struggling Arizona Coyotes on Monday. The Blues have gone 9-1-1 in March to climb within one point of Nashville for third - a spot that would take away the prospect of meeting red-hot Chicago in the first round of the playoffs.

The Calgary Flames still have aspirations of winning the Pacific Division, but for now they'll be happy to keep hold of the second wild card in the Western Conference. Calgary looks to maintain the spot when it begins its final homestand of the season - a four-game string - Monday against the Colorado Avalanche.