NHL playoff picture: Kings take Jets' wild card spot; Bruins keep winning

The Los Angeles Kings are back in a playoff spot after their victory and a loss by the Winnipeg Jets vaulted the defending Stanley Cup champions into the final wild card spot in the Western Conference. The Boston Bruins meanwhile maintained their wild card cushion in the East with their fourth straight win.

Here's how the playoff picture looks after a busy Thursday night:

Eastern Conference

Atlantic

The Montreal Canadiens lost to the Ottawa Senators, but the Tampa Bay Lightning only gained a point in a shootout loss to Boston.

Metropolitan

The Pittsburgh Penguins moved closer to the idle New York Rangers and Islanders with a victory over the Edmonton Oilers.

Wild Card

The Senators and the Florida Panthers also won their games to match Boston's successful evening.

Western Conference

Central

The St. Louis Blues defeated the Philadelphia Flyers to pull even with the Nashville Predators, who lost to the San Jose Sharks. St. Louis has two games in hand.

Pacific

The Vancouver Canucks are in danger of dropping to third in the division after being blanked by Los Angeles.

Wild Card

The Jets lost to the Panthers, opening the door for the Kings. The Sharks are two points behind Winnipeg after their victory over Nashville.

Race for Last

Edmonton, the Arizona Coyotes and the Carolina Hurricanes all lost to maintain their draft lottery positions. The Columbus Blue Jackets moved closer to purgatory with a win over the Detroit Red Wings.