* The Wild and Avalanche, who are separated by one point in the Western Conference Wild Card race, also both take to the ice. Minnesota, who owns a one-point advantage for the final playoff spot but has played one more game, welcomes Calgary and former goaltender Niklas Backstrom to Xcel Energy Center. Colorado, who will be without top forwards Matt Duchene and Nathan MacKinnon, faces Philadelphia at Pepsi Center.

* REMINDER: Both the Flyers-Red Wings and Wild-Avalanche will meet one more time this season. Philadelphia, who is 2-0-0 thus far in the season series (DET: 0-1-1), visits Detroit on April 6 at Joe Louis Arena. Minnesota, who is 3-0-1 thus far in the season series (COL: 1-3-0), plays Colorado this Saturday, March 26, at Pepsi Center.

WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
NY ISLANDERS 3, Ottawa 1
NY RANGERS 5, Boston 2

RANGERS, ISLANDERS KEEP PACE IN CROWDED METROPOLITAN DIVISION
Both the Rangers and Islanders picked up wins to keep pace in the crowded Metropolitan Division, where teams Nos. 2-4 are separated by five points:

* Henrik Lundqvist made 39 saves, including 17 in the third period, to lift the Rangers to a 3-1-1 record in their last five games. Lundqvist, who added one assist, ranks fifth in the NHL with 33 wins this season (2.40 GAA, .922 SV%, 4 SO). He also earned his 372nd career victory to move into a tie with Andy Moog for 15th place in League history.

* Matt Martin and Brock Nelson scored 21 seconds apart in the second period to help the Islanders snap a four-game skid overall (0-3-1) and improve to 7-1-1 in their past nine outings at Barclays Center, their new arena for 2015-16. At 22-9-4, the team shares eighth place in the NHL with 48 home points this season.

MILESTONES & BENCHMARKS
* Senators forward Bobby Ryan played in his 600th NHL game.

LOOSE PUCKS
Senators captain Erik Karlsson registered his League-leading 62nd assist of the season . . . Teammate Mark Stone (1-0—1) ranks fourth in the NHL with 12-15—27 in 25 games since the All-Star break . . . Bruins forward Brad Marchand (34-21—55 in 69 GP) collected one assist to match his career high for points one season, established in 2011-12 (28-27—55 in 76 GP) . . . Rangers forward Derek Stepan (1-2—3) recorded his first three-point game since April 6, 2015 vs. CBJ (2-1—3) . . . Teammate J.T. Miller reached the 20-goal milestone for the first time in his career . . . REMINDER: The Department of Player Safety will have a hearing today with Blue Jackets forward Jared Boll for interference against Flyers forward Pierre-Edouard Bellemare . . . ICYMI: GoPro released the latest video in its NHL After Dark series, featuring Devils goaltender Cory Schneider . . . The NHL’s #MyPlayoffsMoment campaign won a Shorty Award, the most prominent honor in social media . . . Host Robert Flores made his NHL Network debut.

TODAY’S CLINCHING SCENARIOS
* The Ducks will clinch a playoff berth if they get at least one point against the Maple LeafsOR if the Coyotes lose to the Stars in any fashion.

* The Sharks will clinch a playoff berth if they defeat the Oilers in any fashion OR if they get one point against the Oilers AND the Coyotes lose to the Stars in any fashion OR if the Coyotes lose to the Stars in regulation.

SNEAK PEEK AT THURSDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Florida @ Boston, 7:00 p.m., TVAS, FS-F, NESN
New Jersey @ Pittsburgh, 7:00 p.m., MSG+, ROOT
Carolina @ Columbus, 7:00 p.m., FS-CR, FS-O
Anaheim @ Toronto, 7:30 p.m., PRIME, FS-SD, SNO
Montreal @ Detroit, 7:30 p.m., NHLN-US, SNE, RDS, FS-D
Vancouver @ Nashville, 8:00 p.m., SN360, FS-TN
Calgary @ Minnesota, 8:00 p.m., SNW, FS-N
Los Angeles @ Winnipeg, 8:00 p.m., FS-W, TSN3
Philadelphia @ Colorado, 9:00 p.m., CSN-PH, ALT
Dallas @ Arizona, 10:00 p.m., FS-SW, FS-A
Edmonton @ San Jose, 10:30 p.m., SNOL, CSN-CA
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Thanks to the NHL PR department for the information above.