All of a sudden, Wednesday’s showdown between the Ducks and Utah Hockey Club is massive. Neither side looked like it would factor into the playoff race just a few weeks ago, but both clubs have got hot at just the right time and are now in direct competition with one another for the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

The NHL has an 11-game schedule tonight, featuring a few high-leverage matchups between the Blue Jackets and the Devils, and the Lightning and the Hurricanes. I’ve sifted through the numbers and stats for tonight’s games,

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Silence was the story of the Anaheim Ducks’ trade deadline day. That may be disappointing when you’re eager to see some action and were hoping they’d collect quality assets for players who don’t have futures with the club or, better yet, add another key piece or two to beef up for a playoff run.

We're past the trade deadline in the NHL, and now all eyes are on what's to come for the Stanley Cup playoffs. Take one look at the standings now and there's a good chance you can guess roughly 75 percent of the playoff field with ease.