Hockey

Tampa Bay Lightning (43-26-7, fourth in the Atlantic Division) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (35-30-11, sixth in the Metropolitan Division) Pittsburgh; Saturday, 1 p.m.

Nashville Predators (44-28-4, fourth in the Central Division) vs. New York Islanders (34-27-15, fourth in the Metropolitan Division) Elmont, New York; Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

Vancouver Canucks (47-21-8, first in the Pacific Division) vs. Los Angeles Kings (40-25-11, fourth in the Pacific Division) Los Angeles; Saturday, 10 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: The Pacific Division-leading Vancouver Canucks take on the Los Angeles Kings.

Florida Panthers (48-24-5, second in the Atlantic Division) vs. Boston Bruins (45-17-15, first in the Atlantic Division) Boston; Saturday, 3:30 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: The Boston Bruins host the Florida Panthers as winners of three games in a row.

Washington Capitals (36-29-10, fifth in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (47-22-7, second in the Metropolitan Division) Raleigh, North Carolina; Friday, 7 p.m.

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Akil Thomas scored his first NHL goal and David Rittich stopped 15 shots as the Los Angeles Kings beat the San Jose Sharks 2-1 on Thursday night to improve their playoff position. “It felt amazing,” Thomas said.

David Pastrnak and Danton Heinen each had a goal and an assist in the first period and the Boston beat Carolina Hurricanes 4-1.

WINNIPEG — Gabe Vilardi’s hat trick helped the Jets clinch a berth in the NHL playoffs. And now, he’s looking forward to Winnipeg’s famous playoff Whiteout.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Noah Dobson scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period and the New York Islanders stayed alive in their quest for the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot with a 4-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday nigh

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Nathan MacKinnon had a goal and two assists, Justus Annunen made a career-high 44 saves and the Colorado Avalanche moved closer to first place with a 5-2 win over the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night.