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NHL Highlights: Flames-Avalanche, Hurricanes-Blue Jackets
Key national TV games for the week of March 30, 2026 include a battle between playoff contenders
Mar. 30, 2026 at 4:00am
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The NHL's national TV schedule for the week of March 30, 2026 features several key matchups, including the Calgary Flames visiting the Colorado Avalanche on 'Prime Monday Night Hockey' and the Carolina Hurricanes taking on the Columbus Blue Jackets in a potential playoff preview.
Why it matters
These nationally televised games showcase some of the top teams and players in the NHL as the regular season winds down and the playoff race heats up. The Avalanche and Hurricanes are Stanley Cup contenders, while the Flames and Blue Jackets are fighting to secure playoff spots.
The details
The Avalanche (48-14-10) have lost their last four home games but remain one of the league's elite teams, led by scoring leader Nathan MacKinnon and defenseman Cale Makar, who recently reached 500 career NHL points. The Flames (31-34-8) are on a six-game point streak but may be too far out of the playoff picture. The Hurricanes (46-21-6) have been remarkably consistent, avoiding consecutive regulation losses since late December, while the Blue Jackets (38-24-12) have surged under new coach Rick Bowness and are battling for a top-three spot in the Metropolitan Division or a wild-card berth.
- The Flames-Avalanche game is on Monday, March 30 at 8:30 p.m. ET.
- The Hurricanes-Blue Jackets game is on Tuesday, March 31 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
The players
Nathan MacKinnon
The Avalanche center leads the NHL with 48 goals and is three shy of his career high.
Cale Makar
The Avalanche defenseman recently reached 500 career NHL points, becoming the fourth-fastest player at his position to achieve the milestone.
Rick Bowness
The Blue Jackets' head coach has helped the team surge since taking over on January 12, going 19-5-5.
What they’re saying
“I'm not worried about them since we know all the talent they have, including Nathan MacKinnon, who leads the NHL with 48 goals, three from tying his NHL career high, and Cale Makar. The defenseman got his 500th NHL point Saturday, becoming the fourth fastest player at the position to do so behind only Bobby Orr, Paul Coffey and Denis Potvin. Those are legendary players.”
— Kevin Weekes, ESPN and NHL Network analyst
“Carolina needs the points to keep pace with the Buffalo Sabres for the top spot in the East while the Blue Jackets (38-24-12) are fighting for a top-three spot in the Metropolitan Division or a wild-card berth. Columbus lost three straight (0-2-1) but is 19-5-5 since Rick Bowness took over as coach Jan. 12. He has pushed the right buttons and helped the Blue Jackets become a feel-good story this season.”
— Kevin Weekes, ESPN and NHL Network analyst
The takeaway
These nationally televised games showcase the NHL's top talent and contenders as the playoff race heats up. The Avalanche and Hurricanes are among the league's elite, while the Flames and Blue Jackets are fighting to secure postseason berths, making for must-watch hockey as the regular season winds down.
